'Speak for Peace' festival in Nicosia's buffer zone

The Cyprus Community Media Centre (CCMC) is organising a ‘Speak for Peace’ festival at its premises next to Ledra Palace in Nicosia on Saturday, 24 September from 3 to 8pm, which will include the gathering of audio messages to be sent to the Leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. This ultimate in peace events will bring together the public and civil society organisations in a celebratory atmosphere marking the occasion of the International Day of Peace.

‘Speak for Peace’ will feature food, music, entertainment, stalls, competitions, sports and film screenings. It will also be hosting the first bicommunal basketball tournament to take place in the buffer zone, organised by CCMC member PeacePlayers-Cyprus and taking place in the adjacent Ledra Palace grounds.

The festival will also host a live radio link organised by Radio Astra and Radio Mayis. The radio show is part of a new bicommunal partnership, entitled ‘Anahtar Media’, and will be broadcast live from the festival. It is also the first radio programme to be heard simultaneously in both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities and a successful example of media collaboration across the Green Line.

“The Ledra Palace buffer zone was once just a crossing point for pedestrians, patients and labourers, but CCMC has helped to make it also a meeting point for those who share a common vision of a united Cyprus,’ said Katherine Kotsireas of CCMC. “We hope you will all join us in making this an event to remember.”

The festival will provide entertainment for all ages, including a kids’ craft corner, a ping pong tournament, the first public screening of a new documentary on the missing persons in Cyprus made by the eminent Elders group entitled ‘Digging the Past in Search of the Future’, and other activities. There will also be exhibition stalls by local civil society organisations distributing information about their work. Everybody is welcome.