On June 30, 2023, the Technical Committee on Culture hosted “Connecting Arts: A Networking Event for the Arts on the Island of Cyprus” in the buffer zone. This event aimed to foster dialogue and collaboration among artists and key figures in the arts community, including writers, critics, historians, curators, and cultural managers.

The primary objective was to bring together Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot artists and artist-academics, offering them a platform to connect, share their work, and explore opportunities for collaboration. By creating a space for networking, the event sought to strengthen artistic ties and highlight the island’s rich creative landscape.

In addition to facilitating connections, the event focused on mapping artistic scene throughout the island of Cyprus, identifying challenges faced by artists, and exploring potential support mechanisms. Celebrating the island’s diverse cultural heritage, it also featured performances by musicians from both sides.

Approximately 60 artists attended, engaging in discussions at six thematic tables dedicated to different disciplines: Music, Literature, Performing Arts, Cinema, Folk Art, and Fine Arts. Following opening remarks from the Co-Chairs of the Technical Committee on Culture, Ms. Ferdiye Ersoy and Ms. Antigoni Solomonidou-Droussiotou, participants took part in focused discussions led by experienced facilitators. These sessions encouraged open dialogue, documented key insights, and provided a foundation for future initiatives.

The event concluded with a closing ceremony and a dynamic performance by Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot musicians, reinforcing the spirit of artistic unity.

Funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP in coordination with OSASG-Cyprus, “Connecting Arts” successfully strengthened artistic collaboration while celebrating the island’s vibrant cultural identity.