Controversy over exhibition at Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre

The exhibition 'A Slight Indisposition', hosted at the Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre (NiMAC) in collaboration with the Pierides Foundation, has sparked significant controversy. The primary point of contention is the participation of Turkish Cypriot artist Emin Cizenel, who is widely identified as the creator of the flag used by the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The Ecologists movement issued a public statement expressing dissatisfaction, arguing that organisers should consider the political implications of featuring individuals associated with symbols of the island's partition. Nicosia Deputy Mayor Chrysanthos Phakas stated that he had advocated for the cancellation of the exhibition upon learning of Cizenel's participation, but his request was not fulfilled. During the event, journalist Giorgos Tattis reported an altercation where his phone was allegedly thrown to the ground by an associate of the exhibition’s curator, Esra Plumer Bardak, while he was attempting to film in a public space. Tattis further questioned Bardak’s professional affiliations with the breakaway administration, which she defended by describing Cizenel as an excellent artist. Additionally, protesters held a banner outside the venue calling to stop the normalization of the occupation.