Art project 'The Cinema' explores historical memory of Limassol

The art project titled 'The Cinema,' curated by Elena Agathokleous, serves as a commemorative audio documentary exploring the history of the 'Taksim' cinema in Limassol. The work synthesizes diverse historical narratives by featuring testimonies from Turkish Cypriots who resided in the city prior to 1974 alongside the account of Maro Georgiou, daughter of the Greek Cypriot manager who renamed the venue 'Apollon' in 1975. The project reflects on how these layered social histories shape contemporary perceptions of space and memory.

The documentary tracks the venue's evolution leading up to a destructive fire in May 2024. Following exhibitions at the 2025 Art Explora Festival and the Cine Volos Neighborhood festival, the work has been adapted for a new presentation at Xydadiko. In collaboration with the group Fosaki, this iteration integrates the audio experience with ceramics, inviting participants to engage with the site's history through tactile creation and physical traces. The creative team includes photographer Demetris Loutsios and collaborator Constantina Peter, with testimonies provided by Mustafa Halilsoy, Nilgun Huseyin Ozantika, Kiymet Alibey, Ertan Demirag, and Ozay Akif.