In the summer of 1953, Greek-American classicist James A. Notopoulos and researcher Dimitrios Petropoulos of the Centre for Greek Folklore of the Academy of Athens travelled across Cyprus with the aim of documenting the island’s soundscape. Carrying a reel-to-reel tape recorder, they recorded more than eight hours of traditional songs, oral poetry, tsiattista, improvised poetic duels, and instrumental music, preserving a remarkable sonic archive of Cypriot life and culture.

Seventy-three years later, ethnomusicologist Dr Nicoletta Demetriou retraces their historic journey through these original recordings. Combining the authentic field recordings with diary excerpts and a remarkable audiovisual archive, the documentary invites audiences on a compelling sonic journey through history, memory and music — echoes that continue to resonate across time.

The film will be screened with English subtitles.

The screening will be followed by a live music performance.

Credits

Director: Danae Stylianou
Featuring: Nicoletta Demetriou, Diomedes Koufteros, Konstantinos Alkiviadis, Giorgos Evagorou
Producers: Danae Stylianou, Marios Stylianou
Screenplay: Nicoletta Demetriou, Stavros Pampallis, Danae Stylianou
Director of Photography: Nikolas Stylianou
Production Designer: Sose Eskitzian
Costume Designer: Lakis Genethlis
Editor: Danae Stylianou
Sound Design & Re-recording Mix: Christos Kyriakoullis

NICOSIA INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

CO-ORGANISERS: Nicosia For Art Ltd, Municipality of Nicosia
PRINCIPAL SPONSOR: Deputy Ministry of Culture – Department of Contemporary Culture
GOLD SPONSORS: VF Foundation, Allwyn
SILVER SPONSOR: PwC
OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER: Phileleftheros Media Group
SUPPORTERS: L’Oréal Paris, French Institute of Cyprus, The Classic Hotel, Ethimo
PARTNER: Press and Information Office (PIO)
HOSPITALITY SPONSORS: Centrum Hotel, Altius Boutique Hotel
OFFICIAL FESTIVAL CAR: Pilakoutas Group
EXCLUSIVE TICKETING PARTNER: more.com

Duration: 28 minutes

Ticket Reservations: Admission is free.

Advance ticket reservation is required via more.com or at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre Box Office.