By Emmelia Georgiou
A large number of successful events have managed to show that music can bring people together on our island over the years. This year, the Bi-communal Peace Initiative United Cyprus, the European Parliament Information office and the European Commission’s Representation in Cyprus come together to organise the Unity Fest, which will take place in the moat area of the Ledra Palace Hotel on Tuesday.
The Unity fest aims to join Cypriot youth from both communities to portray the idea that art, in this case music, connects people. This is a great opportunity for music lovers to come and be moved by the rhythm and melody of peace and unity as various artists have been invited to perform, including guest Greek gypsy swing band Gadjo Dilo and Turkish-Cypriot rock singer and songwriter Fikri Karayel.
Gadjo Dilo are a group of six musicians whose style can be described as an improvised and experimental combination of gypsy jazz and swing. Having taken part in a variety of music festivals both in Greece and abroad, Gadjo Dilo have managed to establish themselves in the music community. Through the input of new band members throughout the years, they have enriched their style by also incorporating adaptations of old Greek songs.
Fikri Karayel was born in Cyprus and started singing from a very young age. During his studies he joined the band Refik and started composing songs which quickly became popular. He has performed as the opening act for a number of concerts.
The Unity Fest is all about promoting new, up and coming young talent so a number of Cypriot bands from both communities have also been chosen to perform.
These include Katakathia from Limassol, a four-member rock band whose compositions consist of lyrics in the Cypriot dialect. “It is a shame to be in Cyprus and ignore the fact that our dialect is so rich in tone. The reason why most lyrics to our songs are in the Cypriot dialect is because we believe that it makes our music sound more melodic,” says vocalist and guitarist Michalis Neophytou.
George Sidiropoulos, from Nicosia is a multi-instrumentalist and composer who has composed, arranged, written the lyrics and played all the instruments to all of the songs on his first extended play entitled Arho. Limestone, from Nicosia, is a four-member band who play a range of styles including alternative rock, post-modern grunge, funk metal and psychedelic. Stonus, from Nicosia, is a five-member hard rock band. Swinging Souls, from Paphos, is a six-member band whose repertoire consists of English and Greek jazz. All members are graduates of the Paphos Music School. Bunfyah, from Famagusta, is a band consisting of seven members whose aim is to spread peace through reggae.
These bands were selected by an open call and were chosen based on their creative individuality and repertoire. So, the Cypriot community is in for a night of undying talent and entertainment.
Unity Fest
Bi-communal music festival. June 27. Ledra Palace Hotel, Nicosia. 7.30pm-12am. Free. Tel: 99-386454
