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It is with great pleasure that I am attending tonight's event of the Cyprus Theatre Organisation (THOC) in which the art installation "Spectators in Ghost Town" is presented for the first time in Cyprus. An art installation that won the Golden Triga Grand Prize at the World Exhibition of Performing Arts and Space Design in Prague 2023 among 100 other creative teams from 59 countries and 2000 artists.
This year's participation of Cyprus, curated by Marina Maleni and Melita Kouta in artistic research and visual installation, as well as with the collaboration of Haris Kafkaridis, managed to receive, from the International Jury of distinguished experts, perhaps the most valuable distinction in the field of design and performing arts.
This is a unique honour for Cyprus and for all those who contributed to the creation of this exceptional work, highlighting Cypriot art and culture on the international performing arts scene. This award is undoubtedly a recognition of the remarkable effort of both the creators and the curators of this year's entry, demonstrating the scope of talent and innovation in the field of scenography.
This award presents a different perspective on the occupied Famagusta, the ghost town that has been inaccessible for almost half a century as a result of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. A city without human presence, abandoned, inaccessible, which through this artistic intervention opens its doors to thousands of visitors from all over the world to experience this unique experience.
This art installation evokes the pain and mixed memories of the people of Famagusta, who in 1974 were forced to leave the land that gave birth to them. It brings to light the dim memories of Famagusta, as well as the events before 1974. It also evokes the feelings of every refugee, while - I would say - reflecting the horror of the war that continues to affect our world today, as in Ukraine, but also next to us in the Eastern Mediterranean region. And this inspires us even more, strengthening the need for the search for peace and a better and more just world.
Cyprus has participated in this international event continuously since 1991 through the Cyprus Theatre Organisation and it is a fact that the exhibition is a platform for the promotion of the work of many Cypriot artists. Several of them managed to obtain some awards or distinctions.
And this year's distinction is a unique international distinction, which makes us proud. And it is precisely my presence at today's event, as Deputy Minister of Culture, that expresses the obligation of the state to honour all of you who have given yourselves for this work: the creators of Cyprus, the State Theatre and the art workers who work so diligently.
The Deputy Ministry of Culture will continue to stand by you, the creators, who open new horizons for our culture and who promote the creative work of Cyprus, both in Europe and internationally.
The Deputy Ministry of Culture will continue to stand by you, the creators, who open new horizons for our culture and who promote the creative work of Cyprus, both in Europe and internationally.
In closing, I would like to express once again my warm congratulations for this great success and also express my thanks to the Cyprus Theatre Organisation (THOC) for its invaluable role in strengthening the culture of Cyprus in general.
This great achievement will be a source of inspiration and pride for all of us.
(EFYs/AF)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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