Larnaca Biennale 2025 officially opens this week, showcasing a vibrant collection of artistic expressions under the theme Along Lines and Traces. This marks the fourth edition of Cyprus’ largest art celebration, commencing on Wednesday with a packed agenda designed to engage visitors through a variety of artworks and performances.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
Larnaca biennale: A Rich Selection of Artworks and Events
During the first week, the Biennale features an impressive 115 artworks alongside seven parallel events and three performances. Each piece invites contemplation on the connections, memories, and pathways that shape our collective landscape.
Grand Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony is slated for 7.30pm at the Larnaca Municipal Art Gallery. On this occasion, all participating venues—including the Pierides Museum, Larnaca Castle, Apothiki79, Larnaca Municipal Market, and Common Ground Gallery—will extend their hours until 9pm, allowing attendees ample time to explore.
Art Beyond the Gallery
Among the highlights of the main exhibition are three art pieces that transcend the traditional gallery space. These public performances, including 22 Stops, Togetherness – Resonances of Expression, and Unspoken Messages, are designed to engage the community directly. 22 Stops, created by artist Katerina Drakopoulou, is a silent walk scheduled for Thursday from 4pm to 6pm, inviting the public to join her as she navigates the streets of Larnaca.
Meanwhile, Unspoken Messages, located at Zouhouri square, encourages passers-by to share personal notes which will be added to the artwork throughout the Biennale. Artist Liv Ingeborg Ottersen will be present on Thursday between 5.30pm and 8pm to facilitate this interactive installation.
Interactive Experiences Await
Also at Zouhouri square, the Togetherness performance-installation by Filippo Gregoretti will take place from 6pm to 8pm. This innovative piece transforms digital speech into generative art, allowing audiences to submit phrases via devices for real-time interpretation, thereby co-creating a unique sonic experience.
Workshops and Learning Opportunities
The Biennale is not just about visual art; it also offers a range of workshops aimed at fostering creativity. The first event in the parallel events programme, Cyanotype Tales, is a creative workshop focused on journaling and the cyanotype photographic process, tracing participants’ childhood stories. Although the Friday session in English at Youth Makerspace Larnaca is fully booked, it reflects the high demand for such engaging activities.
Additionally, on Friday at 5pm, guests will have the opportunity to join the Curator’s Walk, led by Larnaca Biennale 2025 curator Sana López Abellán. This walk will explore the streets and shoreline of Larnaca while delving deeper into this year’s theme.
Family-Friendly Activities
Families will not be left out, as the Biennale features an educational programme designed specifically for children. The first workshop, The Art of Together, led by Theodora Andreou, will take place over six Saturdays, using theatrical play and storytelling to engage children in artistic expression. The outcomes will culminate in a collective artistic installation at the Municipal Market of Larnaca.
Dance and Performance Art on Display
Another exciting addition is the Lines and Traces of Identity workshop, conducted by Canadian artists Anana Rydvald and Zach Fraser. This workshop offers participants the chance to explore the transformative nature of masked performance, leading to the performance of Sighlence of Sky.
Among the performances, the contemporary dance piece Thread will make its Cyprus debut at the Larnaca Municipal Theatre. Choreographed by Rozmarie Pantzi Koulia and performed by the Aphelion Dance Company, this piece reinterprets the myth of Ariadne and the Minotaur, promising a compelling experience.
Festivities in the Artist Quarter
The weekend will also see the Artist Quarter take place in the Piale Pasha Festival. This event will fill the old neighbourhood of Larnaca with live music, free walking tours offered by the Larnaca Tourism Board, and a variety of performances and street food options. The festivities are set to run from 5pm to 11pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
Participatory Art on Sunday
Wrapping up the weekend is the participatory performance Ichnilat(r)is by Ex-Piercing Arts, transforming the underground parking lot of a developing hotel into an interactive space of exploration. This performance invites audiences into a journey of movement, speech, and space, encouraging active participation.
For further details on events and ticket information, interested parties can visit the Larnaca Biennale website. Each week promises new interactive performances, workshops, and events, ensuring a dynamic experience for all attendees.
