The first edition of the Mitsikouri International Performing Arts Festival for Children and Young People took place between 26 October and 2 November in Cyprus. The festival, organised by ASSITEJ Cyprus, featured 9 productions from 8 countries: Italy, Spain, Cyprus, Greece, the Netherlands, Iceland, the United Kingdom and Lithuania. The majority of the productions were non-verbal.
The performances took place in 7 different venues, in Nicosia, Limassol and the picturesque village of Lefkara.
The programme also included a variety of parallel activities for both children and professionals, such as workshops, discussions, lectures and interactive installations outside the venues. Amongst them a workshop offered by ASSITEJ International Honorary Member Nina Hajiyianni to unaccompanied refugee children, hosted at the Hope for Children shelter in Nicosia.
The Festival’s opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr. Vassiliki Kassianidou, as well as the Mayor of Nicosia, Mr. Charalambos Prountzos. In their speeches, both stressed the importance of this new festival for the cultural life of the country, congratulating ASSITEJ Cyprus for its work both on a national and an international level.
During the opening ceremony, the ASSITEJ Cyprus Life Achievement Award was awarded to Vicky Ireland (ASSITEJ International Honorary Member & IIAN Secretary) for her contribution to the performing arts in the UK and internationally.
The second edition of the Festival will take place in October 2025.
You can watch the Festival’s official video here
