24th Pafos Aphrodite Festival opens with L'Elisir d'Amore

The 24th annual Pafos Aphrodite Festival officially commenced on Friday, September 4, 2026, at the medieval castle in Paphos, Cyprus. The opening featured Gaetano Donizetti’s opera "L'Elisir d'Amore," performed in collaboration with the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra and artists from the Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Prior to the premiere, students from the Paphos Music School met with key production members, including choreographer Ara Asaturyan, soprano Silva Petrosyan, and set designer Olga Orfinady, to discuss operatic arts. The event was attended by various high-profile guests, including Deputy Minister of Migration Dr. Nikolas Ioannidis, the Armenian Ambassador, and former First Lady and Cyprus Red Cross President Fotini Papadopoulou, highlighting the festival's role as a major cultural and diplomatic venue for the Mediterranean region.

The festival continues its run with a second performance scheduled for Saturday, September 5, at 7:30 PM. The production aims to showcase the artistic cooperation between Cyprus and Armenia while cementing Paphos as a significant cultural hub.