With the opening ceremony at the Cyprus Theatre Organisation (THOC), Cyprus formally marked the start of its Presidency of the Council of the European Union, turning Europe’s last divided capital into the centre of a carefully choreographed evening of diplomacy, symbolism and cultural storytelling.
The ceremony unfolded in the presence of senior European and international figures, including the heads of EU institutions and leaders from Ukraine, Moldova, Lebanon and Iraq, alongside representatives from Arab and Gulf states. At its core was a multi-layered artistic performance directed by Kostas Silvestros, which traced Cyprus’ historical journey through three acts titled Memory – Present – After, framing Cypriot culture as an integral part of European civilisation.
A ceremony broadcast to the public
Broadcast live by CYBC and PIO, the ceremony brought together more than one hundred Cypriot artists and cultural professionals in a collective creative effort. The evening opened with a series of speeches by key figures: the Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of the European Council António Costa, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
Each speech added a layer to the evening’s message, touching on European unity, security, enlargement, and the symbolism of Cyprus assuming the presidency from a city that remains physically divided.
Security on full display
Outside, the political weight of the event was reflected in extraordinary security measures. The entire block surrounding THOC was tightly controlled, with police regulating access points and screening attendees through body scanners and baggage checks. Snipers were clearly visible on nearby rooftops, while the use of drones was strictly prohibited by order of the Ministry of Transport.
Tension briefly spiked early in the arrivals when one vehicle mistakenly entered the secured area from the wrong direction, triggering an immediate police response before the situation was quickly contained.
Early arrivals and notable moments
Motorcades began arriving early in the afternoon, bringing ministers, ambassadors and diplomatic delegations from across Europe and beyond. Among those spotted were party leaders, including Annita Demetriou, former President Nicos Anastasiades, and independent MEP Fidias Panayiotou, whose attempt to film a short video upon arrival drew a firm reminder from security to move on.
A carefully staged welcome
At the entrance of THOC, President Christodoulides, accompanied by First Lady Filippa Karsera, personally welcomed the evening’s most senior guests, including the presidents of Iraq, Lebanon and Moldova.
The arrival of President Zelenskyy drew particular attention. As he approached the venue, a reporter shouted a question regarding Turkey’s occupation of Cyprus. Zelenskyy did not respond at the time, later clarifying during his speech that he respects Cyprus’ sovereignty.
The final arrivals of the evening were Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa.
Better than last time
Among the media covering the ceremony, comparisons with Cyprus’ previous EU Council presidency in 2012 were already being drawn. One journalist who had covered both occasions remarked that this year’s opening felt markedly more assured, better coordinated and more outward-looking, praising the planning and execution of the evening and noting a visible confidence in how Cyprus chose to present itself on the European stage.
Closing with diplomacy
The night concluded with an official dinner hosted by the Cypriot President, attended by the heads of the European Council, European Commission and European Court of Auditors, the presidents of Ukraine, Moldova, Iraq and Lebanon, the Secretaries-General of the League of Arab States and the Gulf Cooperation Council, and ministers from Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
For one evening, divided Nicosia became a meeting point of Europe, the wider region and competing global pressures, setting the tone for a presidency unfolding at a moment of exceptional geopolitical strain.