Limassol, Cyprus. Alliance Française Limassol and Limassol Municipality are organising a two-day International Music Day celebration in central Limassol this weekend. More than 50 musicians will perform across the historic centre and seafront in a free programme of live music on June 20 and 21.
City centre programme
Inspired by the French Fête de la Musique, the event will transform central Limassol into an open-air stage with performances spanning jazz, funk, traditional music, reggae and rembetiko.
The festivities begin on Saturday at 6.30pm with an Afro-Brazilian samba parade by percussion band Batukinio. The parade will pass through the Ayiou Andrea pedestrian path, Genethliou Mitella Street and Medieval Castle Square.
Saturday performances
A stage at the Medieval Castle Square will host Avant Tout Duo at 7.15pm, with Vanessa Megalemou and Vasilis Vourvopoulos performing classic French songs.
At 8pm, Georgia Kombou’s Echo of the Mandolins, an all-female music ensemble, will perform. The Ireneos Koulouras Quartet will follow at 8.45pm with jazz standards, and Fuzzy Colours will take the stage at 9.30pm with funk, soul and groovy sounds.
Sunday performances
Sunday’s programme begins at 6.30pm at the Castle with the Limassol Municipality Philharmonic Orchestra. Aura Voices will perform a traditional French repertoire at 7pm.
At 8.15pm, the Demetris Mesimeris Band will present original Greek music, followed by Bazook at 9pm with folk-rock and ska covers. A rembetiko fiesta is scheduled for 9.45pm, before the event concludes with an open street party on Genethliou Mitella Street at 10.30pm featuring Kingofeye performing Francophonie reggae.
Open access event
The event is free and open to the public. Organisers said the celebration aims to bring music into public spaces across the city centre.
