Award-winning American author Lydia Davis will headline this year's Sardam Festival, joining audiences online for a live conversation as part of a programme that also includes three specialised workshops in storytelling, creative writing and poetry.
The festival's opening event will take place on 23 September, with Davis appearing via Zoom in a discussion moderated by festival artistic director Maria A. Ioannou.
Lydia Davis to open festival
Davis, whose work is known for its brevity, experimentation and influence on contemporary fiction, will take part in a one-hour online interview from 6pm to 7pm.
The American writer, winner of the 2013 Man Booker International Prize, is this year's honoured guest. Organisers said participants from Cyprus and abroad will be able to attend free of charge, subject to registration.
The discussion will focus on the craft of writing and Davis' literary career.
Registration is available via arttitudecyprus@gmail.com or by telephone at 99558358.
Storytelling workshop explores place and identity
The workshop programme begins on Friday, 25 September, with Elena Agathokleous presenting "Narrative Mapping: From Places and Identities to Living Storytelling" at Xydadiko in Limassol.
The three-hour session will examine the relationship between identity and place, exploring how personal experiences and spatial journeys can be transformed into live storytelling.
The workshop will be conducted in Greek.
Creative writing through narrative therapy
On Saturday, 26 September, Greek author Christos Chryssopoulos will lead "Life Writing | Writing the Self" at Synergeio Cultural Space in Limassol.
The workshop will draw on the principles of Narrative Therapy, encouraging participants to explore personal experiences through creative writing.
According to the description, the focus will be on discovery, reflection and literary creation, with participants examining how writing can actively shape personal identity.
The session will be conducted in Greek.
Experimental sonnet workshop
The workshop series concludes on Sunday, 27 September, with British poet, editor and critic Jeff Hilson presenting "I Love You And the Sonnet Is Not Dead: An Experimental Sonnet Workshop."
Held at Synergeio Cultural Space, the workshop will explore innovative approaches to the sonnet form and invite participants to reconsider one of poetry's most enduring structures.
Hilson is widely known for his work on contemporary poetry and for editing The Reality Street Book of Sonnets.
The workshop will be conducted in English.
Registration details
Participation in the workshops is limited and advance booking is required.
- Cost per workshop: €25
- Full package for all three workshops: €60
- Registration telephone: 99558358
Organisers have also invited members of the public to participate in the festival's annual open mic events.
The full programme is available on the Sardam Festival website.
