It is almost time for a favourite local festival to return to the rural village of Salamiou in Paphos for its 23rd edition. As one of the oldest festivals of Cyprus, the Countryside Animafest Cyprus Views of the World has become a popular annual happening that welcomes artists, visitors and youth eager to learn more about the art of animation. With the latest edition on August 9-12 quickly approaching, organisers have laid out a screening programme, parallel events and workshops.
The activities will kick off on August 9 at 7.15pm with a concert at the festival stage with artists Maria Spivak and Orestis Telemachou performing live. The screenings of the International Competition for Young Audience will then begin at 8.30pm, before the International Competition programme is screened. Day one will conclude witha special screening at 11.30pm, showcasing a documentary created by a group of graffiti artists who use their sprays to express their dissatisfaction with the Cypriot socio-political mess.
The second day’s screenings will start at 5pm with the Cyprus Panorama (Out of Competition) section. At 6pm, the exhibition opening will take place in the presence of the artists accompanied by the Jassba band with Ulaş Öğüç on drums, William Scott on saxophone and clarinet and Manos Stratis on double bass. More music will follow as Yiannis Koutis performs at 7.15pm before more screenings on the big screen. In and out of competition films will be showcased, as well as special screenings and animation films.
On the Sunday, there will be even more music concerts and screenings but also the Awards Ceremony will announce the winners of the 23rd festival. On the final day of the festival, alongside music performances and screenings, animated music videos will be shown before a closing event with DJs Cotsios o Pikatillis and Koulla Katsikoronou on the decks.
This year’s parallel activities include three exhibitions. In Exhibition Space A, Marko Tadić will showcase his work, in Space B Haris Pellapaisiotis will present a collaborative work and portable photo studio that can capture attendees while in Space C Elena Agathokleous will present a short video.
And that’s not all! An animation workshop for children and adults will be taking place as well as an interactive workshop on the collection of ethnographic material/oral histories. A story-typer will be writing stories on a typewriter inspired by conversations with members of the public, an introductory tai chi class will take place as well as after-midnight experimental presentations by young Cypriot musicians and visual artists.
23rd Countryside Animafest Views of the World
Annual animation festival with screenings, concerts, exhibitions and workshops. August 9-12. Salamiou village, Paphos district. www.animafest.com.cy
