Kyrenia mayor calls for action over Nexus festival at castle

Kyrenia, Cyprus. Kyrenia mayor Akis Violaris has called on the government to intervene over the planned Nexus electronic music festival at Kyrenia Castle, citing the participation of European artists and the venue’s historical significance.

Call for government intervention

Violaris said on Friday that he was concerned by the participation of European artists in the event and urged the government to act to prevent it from taking place at the historic castle.

“We are saddened by the fact that European artists are participating in this festival,” he said.

He described Kyrenia Castle as “a monument of historical and cultural heritage of our country” and called for the government to intervene “dynamically” to seek the event’s cancellation.

Diplomatic handling

The foreign ministry is handling the matter through diplomatic channels, according to a source at the deputy cultural ministry cited by the Cyprus News Agency.

Diko also condemned the planned event, saying that “international festivals in the occupied areas” should not be viewed solely as cultural or entertainment events.

The party said the event and its international promotion could send “wrong messages” by familiarising international audiences with what it described as the “faits accomplis of the occupation”.

Diko called on the government to take “appropriate actions”, adding that “the occupation does not become less illegal because it is promoted through music, tourism or international events”.

Festival plans

Nexus is scheduled to take place at Kyrenia Castle on September 18 as part of the EXIT World Tour.

Organisers said it will be the first time the EXIT festival experience is brought to Cyprus. The selection of Kyrenia Castle follows EXIT’s broader approach of staging events at historic and prominent locations.