THE STREETS of Nicosia and Limassol will soon become awash with colour as people from Cyprus’ diverse array of nationalities celebrate their cultures.
Co-organised by Action for Equality, Support and Antiracism (KISA) and the Cyprus Youth Board, in co-operation with Cypriot human rights organisations and migrant and refugee communities, the Rainbow Festival is the largest multicultural celebration in Cyprus.
It will take place first in Nicosia on Sunday, November 2, and reach Limassol a week later on November 9.
“The Festival is focused on the wealth and delight of colours and calls for joining the fight for integration and equal participation of all for substantially effecting multiculturalism, irrespective of race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, community, gender or any other differences,” the organisers said in a press release.
Speaking at a news conference, Anthoula Papadopolou from KISA said there was still “a lot of racism against migrants and refugees [in Cyprus]”.
“Racism and discrimination,” she said, “stem from ignorance and fear.”
She believes that the Festival will be a good opportunity for Cypriots to learn about the many different cultures that have made Cyprus their home – and learn to “accept and welcome these cultures”.
The 11th Festival will be held under the motto ‘Different Colours – One Country’ and will feature music and dance from migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, students and Cypriots.
Contributing organisations will set up information stands, and KISA representatives will be on hand for anyone seeking advice.
Visitors will be able to visit a multicultural bazaar and sample food from around the world. Children will also find plenty to keep them occupied in a section especially devoted to their entertainment.
Hoping to draw as many visitors as possible, organisers have arranged free bus transport to the Festival and entrance to the Festival is also free.
The organisers have scheduled two other events that emphasise the multicultural, anti-racist sentiment that the Rainbow Festival is promoting.
The first is a Multicultural Poetry Festival, which will feature poetry in 10 mother tongues with simultaneous translation.
The second is a screening of the film The Ghosts – the story of a Chinese woman who becomes a victim of human trafficking.
Funding for the Festival comes from the Ministry of Education, the Youth Board of Cyprus and the Ministry of the Interior as well as other Cypriot NGOs – “without whom,” Papadopoulou said, “we could never bring the Festival to life.”
It is the organisers’ hope that members of Cyprus’ many colourful cultures can feel accepted and valued for their contribution to society. Papadopoulou believes that the multicultural social rainbow is about the “richness and warmth of each colour [and the] beauty of all colours together [that yields] an even richer, diversified society, working and creating together.”
Rainbow Festival
Nicosia: November 2, 11am-5pm at the Municipal Garden.
Limassol: November 9, 11am-5pm at the Waterfront (Molos, opposite the Catholic church)
Multicultural Poetry Festival
Nicosia: November 4, 8pm at the Weaving Mill, 67-71 Lefkonos Street, Phaneromeni Limassol: November 11, 8pm at Technological University of Cyprus (TEPAK), Pefkios Georgiades Amphitheatre. Free entrance.
Screening of The Ghosts
Nicosia: November 4, 8pm at the Weaving Mill, 67-71 Lefkonos Street, Phaneromeni
Limassol: November 11, 8pm at the Technological University of Cyprus (TEPAK), Pefkios Georgiades Amphitheatre. Free entrance.
