The Cultural Programme of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union launches in January with a dense calendar of artistic and cultural events in Cyprus and across Europe, signalling the island’s creative voice alongside its political role at the EU helm.
According to the Deputy Ministry of Culture, the programme spans 31 countries, with emblematic interventions in 11 and a parallel series of events organised through Cypriot embassies in a further 20. The focus ranges from music and photography to contemporary art, design and visual interventions, presenting Cyprus as both a cultural crossroads and a living laboratory of ideas.
Gala opening in Brussels with Stavros Lantsias
The international programme opens on January 21 with a gala concert at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts. The evening features Cypriot composer Stavros Lantsias, performing with a five-piece ensemble.
Lantsias is internationally recognised for his work across jazz, classical and contemporary music, as well as for film and theatre scores. His compositions often blend Mediterranean musical idioms with modern orchestration, making the concert a symbolic opening statement for the presidency.
Cypriot design at the heart of EU institutions
On January 22, the decoration of the Justus Lipsius Building and Europa Building will be officially inaugurated.
The curatorship and overall design are by Michalis Anastasiades, the internationally acclaimed Cypriot designer known for his minimalist approach and refined use of materials. His work, featured in major museums and collections worldwide, brings Cypriot aesthetics into the everyday spaces of European decision-making.
Photography and memory at the European Parliament
On January 27, the European Parliament will host the photographic exhibition Nicosia International Airport by Andros Efstathiou.
Efstathiou’s work explores memory, place and political landscapes. The exhibition focuses on the abandoned Nicosia International Airport, a powerful symbol of division and suspended time, inviting reflection on borders, conflict and the unfinished narratives of Europe’s periphery.
Renewed heritage at the Cyprus Museum
Back in Cyprus, the programme opens on January 17 with the inauguration of the renovated permanent exhibitions of the Cyprus Museum.
Curated by the Ephorate of Museums of the Department of Antiquities, the renewed displays present Cyprus’ archaeological heritage through a contemporary museological lens, linking the island’s ancient past with its present European identity.
Contemporary art at SPEL
On January 29, the State Gallery of Contemporary Art – SPEL – will open the exhibition Agropoetics: Soils/Bodies, curated by Elena Parpa.
Dr Parpa is a curator and theorist whose work focuses on ecology, materiality and social practices. The exhibition examines the relationship between land, body and politics, aligning closely with broader European debates on sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Visual interventions throughout the presidency
Running across the full duration of the presidency, the visual intervention Encounters: The Worlds of Cyprus is curated by Christina Lambrou. The project explores multiple narratives of Cypriot identity through visual encounters, inviting audiences to engage with the island beyond stereotypes.
In parallel, visual interventions will also be presented at Larnaca International Airport Glafkos Clerides, curated by the Deputy Ministry of Culture, offering visitors an immediate cultural experience upon arrival in Cyprus.
Together, these activities frame culture as a key diplomatic and narrative tool of the Cyprus Presidency, positioning artistic expression as an essential complement to policy, dialogue and European cooperation.