Former Rialto Theatre director Georgia Detsher has criticised changes announced by the Deputy Ministry of Culture for the Cyprus Choreography Platform, questioning the reintroduction of a competitive element and arguing that the platform's international outlook did not begin with the latest reforms.
Detsher, who previously led Rialto, a co-organiser of the programme, and has long been involved in the development of contemporary dance institutions in Cyprus, made the remarks following the launch of the Cyprus Choreography Platform 2026.
In a public statement, she described the introduction of a competitive format as “a step backwards” rather than progress, while also challenging the presentation of international exposure opportunities as a new development.
“They say a competitive element is being introduced to the Choreography Platform. Something that we removed after discussions, exchanges and consultations with experts, theorists and dance professionals is now being presented as an improvement?” she wrote.
Detsher questioned the rationale behind the changes and asked whether sufficient consideration had been given to the history of the institution and the reasons it evolved into its current form.
‘International outreach did not begin now’
Detsher also focused on the Deputy Ministry's announcement that productions selected through the platform would have opportunities to be presented in Athens, Berlin and London.
According to her, the possibility of promoting Cypriot choreographic work internationally is not a new addition.
She pointed specifically to the Cyprus Choreography Showcase, which she said was created precisely to support the international visibility of Cypriot contemporary dance by providing overseas presentation opportunities for productions selected by an evaluation committee, rather than exclusively for works presented through the Choreography Platform.
The Cyprus Choreography Showcase was established in 2020 with the aim of presenting the work of Cypriot choreographers internationally, while the Choreography Platform had for years been one of the initiatives organised in cooperation with the state cultural services.
Call for dialogue
“Progress requires knowledge, documentation and dialogue,” Detsher said.
“Let us first examine what already exists, why it was created and how it was shaped. And let us listen to the professionals who, for so many years, have contributed to the development of contemporary dance in Cyprus.”
Concluding her remarks, she argued that institutional memory matters.
“The history of an institution does not begin anew every time someone takes over its management,” she said.
