Summer sizzles with culture
Next month, Cyprus will continue to buzz with an exhilarating festival season that shows no signs of slowing down – even amid the August holidays. While many seek refuge on the sun-kissed beaches or cool mountain retreats, the island’s cultural heartbeat remains vibrant and strong. Here’s where culture, music, art and cinema will be alive this August.
Lemesos International Documentary Festival: August 1-8
Opening August’s festival season is the 19th edition of the Lemesos International Documentary Festival which will bring more than 20 award-winning documentaries to the heart of the city. Film screenings from around the world will take place at Ceronia Hall – Lanitis Carob Mill, alongside a parallel events programme with Q&A sessions, music events, open-air parties and DJ sets.
Fengaros Festival: August 1-3
Probably the biggest music festival of the month is the 12th edition of Fengaros Festival. The quaint village of Katy Drys will once again host music performers, campers and festivalgoers as they enjoy over 60 music acts across the festival’s four stages spread throughout the cobblestone alleys of the village. Artists from Cyprus and the world – coming from three continents – will perform this year on stage. Meanwhile, the CUPRA Museum will host experimental sounds and the Carlsberg Beer Garden an array of dynamic DJs.
International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama: Until August 10
Since mid-July, this festival has been bringing remarkable productions of ancient Greek tragedies. Set to be presented next is Aeschylus’ Oresteia, performed by the National Theatre of Greece. On August 2 and 3, a cast of 32 actors will present the last surviving work of the tragic poet at the Curium Ancient Theatre. The last production of the festival will be Euripides’ The Bacchae, performed at Curium on August 9 and 10, again in Greek.
Garden Film Screenings: August 7 & 9
In Paphos for a couple more days this summer is the Garden Film Screenings series organised by Kimonos Art Centre at the Attikon open-air cinema. Two more screenings are left before the 2024 edition wraps. Up next is the film American Psycho on August 7 and the Cypriot film Antio Koproskila on August 9. Both screenings start at 9pm and entrance costs €5.
www.kimonosartcenter.com/garden-screenings
Countryside Animafest Cyprus Views of the World: August 9-12
The second weekend of August will be dedicated to animation works as the Countryside Animafest Cyprus Views of the World Festival presents its 23rd edition. Nestled in the tiny village of Salamiou in the Paphos district, the festival has selected 33 inspiring films from 14 countries to be part of its International Competition section this year. The selection was made by Yiorgos Tsangaris, founder and Festival director of Animafest Cyprus and Gerben Schermer (NL), curator of animation and contemporary art, and it includes works by promising newcomers as well as acclaimed masters. Children’s films, local productions and special screenings out of competition will also be screened alongside a series of parallel events, workshops and music performances.
Antilalos Fest: August 13
Returning to Kyperounta is the 5th Antilalos Festival, ready to bring more live music to the church courtyard. A line-up of local musicians will perform at this intimate festival which also features street food, drinks and cool air to beat the heat. This year’s performers have yet to be announced yet they are normally young musicians and music ensembles from the island who perform in Greek.
www.facebook.com/antilalosfestival
Paphos Beer Festival: August 22-25
Back for its 12th year, the beloved Paphos Beer Festival returns to the Medieval Castle square for a four-day event. With free entrance, it will showcase a large variety of beers from Cyprus and international breweries and microbreweries as well as street food options. Of course, it would not be a summer festival without a live music programme and a line-up of acts from artists and performers from Cyprus, Greece and other countries is planned.
24th Paradise Jazz Festival: August 23-24
Jazz lovers of the Paphos district and beyond will get to enjoy a number of acclaimed musicians at this year’s Paradise Jazz Festival in Gialia village. At the intimate venue of Val’s Place, a two-night programme will present esteemed jazz artists from Cyprus and abroad in six shows and two jam sessions. Organ player from Athens George Kontrafouris, and his Baby Trio will open the festival while a highlight performance will be that of the world-famous American keyboard player David Garfield who will perform alongside Cypriot musicians.
Anti-Skino Outdoor Theatre Festival: August 30-31
A week later another festival will take place close by. A series of theatre and performance art acts will be presented in Kato Pyrgos on August 30 and 31 in the latest edition of Anti-Skino. This year’s theme is Utopia and the performances will touch on social, political, economical and environmental issues.