The Antama Festival returns to the Nicosia Municipal Gardens on 12 and 13 September, bringing two days of traditional music, dance and craft workshops to the capital. Organisers say the event is designed to be inclusive for all ages, with free admission offered to several groups. Tickets are available in advance through klisto.com.cy.
Saturday 12 September
The programme opens at 4pm with a series of workshops running through the afternoon, including sessions on Mediterranean rhythms as a creative musical tool, silversmithing, basket and reed weaving from Livadia, and pithkiavlin-making, alongside a creative activity session for children starting at 5pm.
Music begins at 6pm with performances by Progressive Kinisi Larnakas and Eirini Pelagia, followed by Kormos, featuring Tasos Kofteros and Yvonne Melissa, at 7pm. The evening closes with a traditional feast led by Michalis and Petros Koulioumis from 8.30pm to midnight.
Sunday 13 September
Sunday's programme begins at 4pm with an open discussion titled "What Do We Call Cypriot Traditional Music Today?", led by Nikoletta Dimitriou, alongside cross-stitch embroidery and repeat sessions of the basket-weaving and pithkiavlin workshops. A shadow theatre and puppet-making workshop with Angela Stavrou runs at 7pm.
Music on Sunday includes a Cretan feast with Stelios Petrakis and Trio Nikriz from 5pm, followed by a musical feast with Takimia and Frederiki Tombazou from 8.30pm to 11pm.
Admission
Entry is free for low-income pensioners and for children up to 16 years old when accompanied by a parent or guardian, on presentation of the relevant proof at the entrance.
Free entry is also available for people with disabilities or serious health conditions affecting their daily life, and their companions, who are asked to email antamafestival@gmail.com in advance to receive an invitation.
