Larnaca Biennale brings together lines and traces of artistic expression in its fourth edition, set to commence in less than a week. This event promises a rich cultural programme spanning six-and-a-half weeks, featuring exhibitions, installations, performances, and workshops that will transform Larnaca into a vibrant cultural hub.
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- Canada-based artists Anana Rydvald and Zach Fraser will lead a workshop titled The Lines and Traces of Identity (October 18), focusing on the emotive power of masked play in storytelling.
- Additionally, Eleni Xenou will host the creative writing workshop Apotipomata on November 8, guiding participants on how to narrate personal and collective stories through writing.
- A shadow theatre performance for families, The Story of Charis Cola, will be staged in Athienou on October 31, connecting the island’s cola history with traditional shadow theatre.
- Moreover, the Open Art Schools event on November 2 will allow families to explore the creative works of students from six local art schools.
- A performance walk called Tracing Stass (October 25 and November 1) will pay homage to Cypriot artist Stass Paraskos, exploring the landscapes that influenced his work.
Lines and: Excitement Builds for the Upcoming Biennale
As final preparations are underway, curator Sana López Abellán expressed his enthusiasm for the forthcoming Biennale. He stated, “I am excited to witness how the Biennale unfolds across its venues, weaving together a collective story that belongs to both the artists and the community. For the past weeks, artists have been arriving from all over the globe to install their works, and now the lines and traces are no longer hypothetical but tangible.”
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Artworks Displayed Across Multiple Venues
The Larnaca district will host the selected artworks at 13 indoor and outdoor locations. The opening ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, with the main exhibition set to take place at various sites, including the Larnaca Municipal Art Gallery, Pierides Museum, Common Ground Gallery, Larnaca Municipal Market, Apothiki 79, Larnaca Medieval Castle, Zouhouri Square, Piale Pasha, and Larnaca Salt Lake. Additionally, works will be displayed at the Kallinikeio Municipal Museum in Athienou and the Costas Argyrou Museum in Mazotos.
Highlights of the Exhibition
Among the main exhibition’s highlights are three installation-performances and participatory events. The events Togetherness – Resonances of Expression and 22 Stops will take place on Thursday before being screened as part of the main exhibition. Unspoken Messages will be presented at Zouhouri Square, inviting the public to engage and participate.
Engaging Workshops for All Ages
The Biennale will also feature a series of workshops designed to engage participants in unique artistic experiences. The workshop The.Curious.Curly’s Cyanotype Tales (scheduled for October 17 and November 1) will allow participants to explore their memories by creating original cyanotype prints using personal photographs from their childhood.
Canada-based artists Anana Rydvald and Zach Fraser will lead a workshop titled The Lines and Traces of Identity (October 18), focusing on the emotive power of masked play in storytelling.
Another notable event is Weaving Unity, a two-day bicommunal art project on October 25 and 26, which aims to unite Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots through a symbolic weaving workshop and an open artistic celebration, curated by Konstantinos Charilaou.
Additionally, Eleni Xenou will host the creative writing workshop Apotipomata on November 8, guiding participants on how to narrate personal and collective stories through writing.
Diverse Performance Art Offerings
The Biennale’s performance art segment includes contemporary dance by the Aphelion Dance Company, presenting The Thread (October 18). This performance reinterprets the myth of Ariadne and the Minotaur, exploring themes of identity, memory, and transformation.
Another interactive performance, Ichnilat(r)is, by the Ex-Piercing Arts group, will take place in the underground parking lot of an under-construction hotel on several dates, inviting audiences to either participate or observe.
Rydvald and Fraser will also present The Sighlence of Sky (October 23 and 24), a non-verbal mime performance that addresses themes of love, heartache, and family life amid disability and neurodivergence.
A shadow theatre performance for families, The Story of Charis Cola, will be staged in Athienou on October 31, connecting the island’s cola history with traditional shadow theatre.
Cultural Festivals and Film Screenings
The Artist Quarter Piale Pasha Festival (October 18-19) will offer guided tours, live performances, and street food, making it a family-friendly event. Meanwhile, the Larnaka Cinema Society will present a selection of short and feature films across three evenings (November 10, 17, and 24).
Educational Initiatives for Young Artists
In its educational efforts, The Art of Together programme will provide six creative workshops for children, hosted by actress Theodora Andreou. These workshops will culminate in a collective art installation at the Municipal Market of Larnaca (October 18, 25, and November 1, 8, 15).
Moreover, the Open Art Schools event on November 2 will allow families to explore the creative works of students from six local art schools.
Experiential Events to Enrich the Community
Curator Abellán will lead a Curator’s Walk on October 17, guiding participants through Larnaca’s streets and shoreline, inviting them to rediscover the city’s artistic landscape. Additionally, the Zeno Philosophical Swim (October 22 and 26) will combine swimming with philosophical discussions and a short film screening.
A performance walk called Tracing Stass (October 25 and November 1) will pay homage to Cypriot artist Stass Paraskos, exploring the landscapes that influenced his work.
The Biennale will conclude with a live performance on Stournari Street on November 21, where a trio will perform Greek songs with an improvisational twist, celebrating the cultural echoes of the event.
The closing exhibition, Traces of Our Heritage – Designing for a Cause, will take place on November 27 in Athienou, showcasing student and community-designed products inspired by local culture.
Experience the 4th Larnaca Biennale
This bi-annual multi-week exhibition fair celebrating arts and culture runs from October 15 to November 28. For more details, visit www.biennalelarnaca.com.
