History

Historical Overview

The Michalis Pieris Cultural Centre of the University of Cyprus is an internationally recognised institution, holding a prominent place on the cultural map of Cyprus. Since its establishment, it has made a vital contribution to the island’s artistic and intellectual life through the hundreds of events it has organised and hosted.

In 1997, just five years after the University of Cyprus had admitted its first students to, poet and professor Michalis Pieris proposed to the University’s Senate to support the creation of a research theatre. Inspired by the vision of bringing to stage The Chronicle of the Sweet Land of Cyprus by Leontios Machairas – one of the most important narrative works of medieval and early modern Cypriot literature – he suggested the establishment of a theatre that would add a new dimension to the study of Classical, Medieval, and Renaissance Greek literature. This is how the Theatrical Workshop of the University of Cyprus (Θ.Ε.ΠΑ.Κ./THEPAK) was born.

In 1998, after almost a year of intensive work, in-depth study, and rehearsals, the Theatrical Workshop presented the world premiere of Machairas’ Chronicle of Cyprus – an ambitious production of a true masterpiece of Cypriot narrative literature. The performance was made possible thanks to the volunteer efforts of the Workshop’s members, as well as the contribution of composers Antonis Xylouris–Psarantonis and Evagoras Karageorgis, who composed the original score. The audience reception was overwhelmingly enthusiastic both in Cyprus and in Greece. The production received First Prize for Direction at the 21st Panhellenic Festival of Amateur Theatre in Ithaca and was hailed as a “major philological and theatrical event.”

In appreciation of the composers’ contribution, the Theatrical Workshop invited them to give two concerts in the courtyard of the then-abandoned Axiothea Mansion, located in the Agios Kassianos neighbourhood, right next to the “Green Line” that divides Cyprus’ capital. The success of those first two concerts marked the beginning of the Cultural Festival of the University of Cyprus, which originated as an artistic extension of the Workshop’s theatre activity and gradually evolved into a rich and multifaceted festival encompassing music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and other cultural expressions.

Since then, the Festival has hosted hundreds of distinguished artists who have presented their work to Cypriot audiences, enriching the island’s cultural life and reinforcing the University’s social, intellectual, and cultural mission.

Through the Festival, the music-loving public of Cyprus has had the rare opportunity to experience and appreciate the work of renowned artists and emerging creative ensembles: Psarantonis, Evagoras Karageorgis, Stephan Micus, Christos Pittas, Alkinoos Ioannidis, Savina Yannatou, as well as groups such as Primavera en Salonico, Himerinoi Kolimvites, Chainides, Monsieur Doumani, and many others. The Cultural Festival has also had the honour of welcoming legendary figures of Greek traditional music such as Chronis Aidonidis, Domna Samiou, Kyriakou Pelagia, among others. In addition, it has featured exceptional jazz ensembles from around the world, including the Mila Svoboda Quartet, Trio Kratochvil–Ackerman–Zangi, Sebastian Rochford & Kit Downes, and the Espen Berg Trio, to name just a few.

Theatre has always held and continues to hold a central place in the Festival’s programming. In addition to the productions by the University’s Theatrical Workshop, which consistently enjoy strong public support, the Festival has also hosted performances by professional theatre companies, as well as productions by school and university theatre groups from Cyprus and abroad.

Through the Cultural Festival and the Theatrical Workshop, the Michalis Pieris Cultural Centre has become a key pillar of cultural revitalisation in the heart of Nicosia. It has played a vital role in the regeneration of the historically and architecturally significant area of Chrysaliniotissa/Agios Kassianos, located on the boundaries of the Buffer Zone. Over the years, the Centre has emerged as one of the few cultural institutions in Cyprus that place quality and excellence ahead commercial success, supporting artists truly committed to their craft.

Today, the University’s Cultural Centre stands among the most significant cultural institutions in Cyprus, offering high-quality artistic events that foster intercultural exchange and creative dialogue among the peoples of the broader Euro-Mediterranean region.