Memories
Chrysostomos Pashiardis

Highlights and memories of our collaboration with the Goethe-Institut at the Nicosia Book Fest on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Goethe-Institut in Cyprus

Chrysostomos Pashiardis, Head of the Organizing Committee of the Nicosia Book Fest | Photo: Chrysostomos Pashiardis The Nicosia Book Fest is a unique institution in Cypriot cultural affairs devoted to promoting books and book-reading to the Cypriot public, of all ages, while bringing readers and authors from Cyprus and abroad together. It is an event inspired by the need for cultural and intercultural exchange at all levels.

From the very start of its journey, the Nicosia Book Fest and its participants, have found in the Goethe-Institut a valuable partner and consistent supporter in all 5 events organized since 2016.

The Nicosia Book Fest is a multicultural space with dozens of events including book presentations, interactive discussions, music, dance and theatre performances, interactive games, creative writing workshops, interactive fairy tale presentations by authors and cultural events in the inspirational space of the Acropolis Park that hosts more than 60 organizations each year (bookshops, publishers, organizations, associations, public and private universities, foreign cultural institutes, etc.) and more than 8000 visitors in one weekend.

We recall with great warmth and enthusiasm the two times we jointly hosted events with the famous German children’s books author, Jürgen Banscherus, at the kiosk of the Goethe-Institut, giving the German-speaking audience the opportunity to interact, converse and exchange ideas with the famous writer.

Another great highlight of the NBF events was the performance of the Windcraft band at the Central Stage of the Festival in 2018, which was co-organised again with the Goethe-Institut.

In the difficult year of the pandemic, when we had to turn the festival into a digital event, the Goethe-Institut remained by our side as a firm supporter. The great event of the Disappearing Wall that was initially planned to be presented at the NBF in Acropolis Park, was a priority for us to support and promote in the best possible manner when it was actually realized in Phaneromeni Square.

Our collaboration over the years is one we greatly appreciate and cherish as it gives substance to the multi-cultural character that we wish to assign to the Nicosia Book Fest, and the Goethe-Institut has proven that not only does it value the content of the festival at all its levels but it also contributes practically to making it better in quality and content.

We are certain that our collaboration is one that will continue in the years to come and will deepen and become even more elaborate with joint events and actions.