Pop culture, music, cinema, wine
With October just around the corner, it is time to look ahead to an exciting festival agenda that the new month will bring. Besides Oktoberfests, Halloween-themed fun and autumn events, the festival season will keep on shining throughout October offering plenty of opportunities for music, literature, wine, cinema and comic lovers. This might just be the most diverse festival month of the year!
Limassol Wine Festival, September 28-October 6
Limassol’s proudest festival will be on for a week celebrating the island’s wine producers and wine culture. Held at the Municipal Gardens once again, the festival will host a rich Cypriot programme of folklore concerts, theatrical performances, wine-related pottery workshops, shadow theatre, performances by magicians and of course, plenty of wine, commandaria and zivania to taste and buy from local winemakers. There will also be music and for those travelling from other cities, a free bus service will operate on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. www.facebook.com/LimassolWineFestival
15th International Pharos Contemporary Music Festival, October 2-11
Kickstarting the month’s festivals is this remarkable music festival which will present four music concerts at The Shoe Factory in Nicosia with esteemed invited musicians from abroad. It will open with the Talea Ensemble, followed by a concert by the SIGMA PROJECT saxophone quartet on October 6, Chinese-American pianist George X Fu on October 9 and the MikeDrop percussion duo on October 11. It will also host events such as lectures, workshops and educational activities for the youth. www.pharosartsfoundation.org
15th Open House Festival of Dance House Lemesos, October 3-6
Spanning eight different cultural venues in Limassol, the festival will present performances, discussions and parallel workshops that focus on the body and movement through the lens of contemporary choreography and performance. With the aim to bring contemporary artistic creation closer to the people and evolve the island’s choreographic scene, this 15th edition will present a series of high-calibre performances. This year, it focuses on transformation, truth and mastery, presenting the pieces through innovative and interdisciplinary means. www.dancehouse.com.cy.
Cyprus Rocks Festival, October 4-6
A Protaras festival for classic rock enthusiasts. Featuring some of the UK’s finest classic rock tribute acts, this festival will spice up Paralimni and Protaras venues with live rock acts honouring bands such as AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Metallica and The Beatles. The main events will take place at Trinity Beach between October 4 and 6, but there will also be a Welcome Party at Polyxenia Isaak on October 3 with live music and a Farewell Party at the same venue on October 8. Tickets are now on sale at www.ticketbox.com.cy/cyprusrocks/2024
Nicosia Book Fest, October 5-6
This is a favourite festival for book lovers and it needs little introduction. Returning to Acropolis Park, this edition of Nicosia Book Fest is dedicated to Latin American culture and literature. A rich programme with 65 events across four stages will unfold across the festival’s two days consisting of book presentations, crafts, theatre and music performances, a treasure hunt for children and more. In line with the 2024 theme, Windcraft Band will perform a special tribute to Latin American music with songs from Brazil, Peru, Mexico, and the Latin American pop scene whilst Havana Vitral band will perform Cuban music. www.nicosiabookfest.com
Cyprus Comic Con, October 5-6
The annual pop culture celebration returns this October with an explosive range of comic con activities, cosplay, live performances, exhibitions, gaming tournaments, panels and even a film festival. Special guests, renowned in the international comic con world, will travel to Cyprus to be part of the event. Also part of the festival is a Medieval Quarter, a pro wrestling event which will debut this year, a cosplay championship and a STEM and Kid’s Zone. www.cypruscomiccon.org/
Poetry MOVES International Festival, October 9-13
Putting poetry in the spotlight is the second edition of the Poetry MOVES festival which will this year present a series of interdisciplinary art events that combine poetry with other art forms. Photography exhibitions, piano and cello recitals with poetry readings, a poetic jazz showcase and Cypriot composers presenting works inspired by poems will unfold in different locations around Nicosia. www.poetry-moves-international-festival.com
Ayia Napa Medieval Festival, October 12-19
An unlikely festival for Cyprus’ beach-famous and party-loving town, the impressive Ayia Napa Medieval Festival is a reminder of why the town has so much more to offer. For a whole week, bands and performing groups from all over Europe and the world will march down Ayia Napa’s main streets celebrating all things medieval and folklore. Percussion bands, fire artists, dragons on stilt walkers, intricate medieval costumes and striking flag wavers will entertain visitors with parades and performances in the central square. https://www.facebook.com/AYIANAPAMedievalFestival
International Short Film Festival of Cyprus, October 12-18
In its 14th edition, the Limassol festival will present a week of significant and thought-provoking short films by Cypriot and international directors. Fifteen local films will be screened at the Rialto Theatre that range from fiction and animation to documentaries and more experimental works. Films will also compete in National and International categories showcasing the art of short films. https://www.isffc.com.cy/