About the festival
Kofinou is once again preparing to become a meeting point for memory, culture, and tradition, hosting the 2nd Gathering of Occupied Communities' Memory and Culture on Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 15:00 to 21:00.
Over 30 occupied municipalities, communities, and cultural organizations will participate in this major event dedicated to refugees and the preservation of historical memory. Through exhibitions, traditional crafts, culinary activities, music, and storytelling, visitors will have the opportunity to experience firsthand the rich cultural heritage of Cyprus's occupied regions.
Experiential workshops hold a special place in the program, where ancient crafts and traditions are revived through 'fervolite', Karaviotiko and Pyroyiatiko embroidery, pottery, basket weaving, and other forms of folk art passed down from generation to generation.
The culinary workshop is also of particular interest, where Yia-yia Paraskevou Matthaiou and other refugees from Rizokarpaso will share authentic recipes and memories of their homeland. I will also be there, preparing traditional 'koulouria' with 'anari' cheese, as well as the beloved 'myllopittes' or 'pisies,' offering visitors the chance to experience flavors and techniques that have been kept alive for decades.
Concurrently, through the oral testimonies recording initiative and the specially designed 'Experiential Space of Memory and Refugeehood 1974,' visitors will be able to connect with personal stories of people who experienced displacement and refugee life, discovering aspects of modern Cypriot history through authentic narratives and documents.
The artistic program will feature music, dance performances, folk poetry, and traditional process revivals. A particularly moving moment is expected to be the screening of Petros Charalambous's documentary 'Adoption.' The film chronicles the true story of solidarity between the refugees of Kofinou and the residents of Dafni Municipality after the 1974 Turkish invasion, shedding light on a lesser-known but deeply human aspect of Cypriot history.
The 2nd Gathering of Memory and Culture is not merely a cultural event. It is a reminder that the occupied communities continue to live through their people, traditions, flavors, songs, and memories, keeping the bond with their ancestral homes in Cyprus alive.
Useful Information
📅 Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026
🕒 Time: 15:00 – 21:00
📍 Location: Kofinou
🏘️ Participation: Over 30 occupied municipalities, communities, and cultural organizations
🎭 Includes: Exhibitions, experiential workshops, culinary activities, music, dance, and documentary screening
🎟️ Admission: Free for the public