ArtCargo Festival continues in Nicosia with circus shows, music and workshops

Nicosia, Cyprus. ArtCargo Festival is continuing its programme of contemporary circus and participatory events across Nicosia, after its opening days drew thousands to performances and encounters with international artists. According to the festival’s account, streets, parks and squares will again host shows for all ages this week, alongside parallel activities.

Blindfold performances and projections on water

The programme lists Blindly, by Spanish duo ELELEI, as the opening performance of the second week. The artists will perform blindfolded in Eleftheria Square on October 22 and 23, with shows at 6.30pm and 8pm.

At Nicosia Municipal Gardens, the programme continues with Parametric Deep, a production created by Panos Malactos and ArtCargo Festival. Using a specialised technological system, the work projects a dancer onto the fountain’s water, turning the mist into both a screen and elements of the dancer’s body. Its final presentations are scheduled for October 22 and 23.

Audience collaboration and slackline skills

According to the programme, Catalan performer Joan Català will involve spectators in creating Pelat, exploring how physical effort relates to collaboration and trust. The performance is scheduled for Eleftheria Square on October 23 at 17:00, followed by a presentation at the Townhall on October 24.

The festival also identifies Japanese slackliner Kanon Ito, aged 12, as its youngest artist this year. Supported by the VF Foundation, she will make her first visit to Cyprus after receiving several international distinctions for her slacklining skills.

Ito’s performances are listed outside the old Nicosia City Hall on October 24 at 1pm and 3pm, and on October 25 at 5pm.

ELELEI will also present Too Much on October 24 and 25. The programme describes a work combining acrobatics, dance and theatre to examine excessive love and the point at which caring becomes controlling and obsessive.

Music and a high-wire finale

The festival’s sole live music appearance will feature Cypriot trio Nabu Pēra, according to the schedule. The group will present Soundscapes of Nicosia at the Palaion Demarchion archaeological site on October 24 at 9.30pm.

Billed as the festival’s grand finale, Basinga’s Soka Tira Osoa is scheduled for Old GSP Square on October 24 at 8pm. The programme says French artist Tatiana-Mosio Bongonga will cross a wire 25 metres above the ground without wearing a harness. Spectators will help set up the wire, becoming participants in the performance.

Juggling, movement, slacklining and graffiti workshops

The parallel programme begins on October 21, when Cypriot group Quantum Circus will host an Open Juggling Jam at Ayios Andreas Municipal Skate Park at 5pm.

On the morning of October 25, ELELEI’s artists will lead a workshop at [space available]. According to the programme, it will explore conflict movements, research through movement and composition for the stage.

Ito will also teach a slackline workshop outside the old Nicosia City Hall on October 25 at 1pm. Participants will be introduced to balancing on a narrow line, jumping and tricklining techniques.

Later that day, George Kyrou will run the Spot Tag graffiti workshop in Eleftheria Square at 3.30pm. The programme says participants will learn to create a personal graffiti signature and develop their own style, lettering and distinctive colours.