What can a village tell us about Cyprus’ past?

“What can a village tell us about the past of Cyprus, and what might the new stories created there change? ” asks the festival team behind Xarkis Festival as this theme lies at the heart of the 12th edition, coming up this weekend. From September 11 to 13, Xarkis returns to Kalavasos, transforming the village into a meeting point for residents, artists and visitors from Cyprus and abroad. “A village shaped by ancient settlements, mining, archaeological research, local techniques and productive practices becomes a space for contemporary art, knowledge exchange and collective creation,” says the festival. Xarkis’ relationship with this Cypriot village dates back to 2016 when the two worked together for the Tenta Cultural Festival.

A decade later, Xarkis returns to Kalavasos, offering both artists and festivalgoers the opportunity to explore the village once again as an active part of the artistic process. “One of the key threads of this year’s programme focuses on colonial heritage and how it continues to shape contemporary culture,” says the festival. “Through contemporary visual art, the festival raises questions about which histories we remember, which remain on the margins, and how we can create new interpretations of the past. These perspectives will be expanded through fresh points of view. ” Taking part this year are artists from Chile, Ghana, Tunisia, Rwanda, Hungary, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, England and Cyprus who take part in a 14-day residency at the village. They will meet the local community and create new opportunities for dialogue around memory, cultural heritage and the stories that shape the understanding of a place. Over 25 artists will immerse themselves in the essence of the village. Archaeological fragments, photographs and…