Capacity Building Workshop in Larnaca: Reimagining Colonial Heritage: Environmental Impact and Cultural Response

From 23 to 25 January 2025, the second capacity building workshop of the Contested Desires: Constructive Dialogues project took place in Larnaca, Cyprus, under the title Reimagining Colonial Heritage: Environmental Impact and Cultural Response.

Over three days, more than 60 international artists, producers, cultural institutions, and museums came together to reflect, exchange knowledge, and discuss the intersections of colonial heritage, environmental crisis, and artistic practice.

The programme began with online presentations introducing Cyprus’ historical and socio-political context. Contributions from Argyro Toumazou (D6:EU), Loizos Kapsalis (Association for Historical Dialogue and Research), and Antonis Danos (Cyprus University of Technology) offered critical perspectives on the island’s colonial past and the negotiation of identity during and after colonial rule.

The event continued with a public conference on 24 January at the Cathedral Saint Lazarus – Schooling Venue in Larnaca, focusing on the relationship between colonialism, the climate crisis, and artistic response. Maria Hadjimichael (PhD) delivered the keynote address, exploring the impact of the climate crisis on the seas as new economic frontiers.

Artists Sümer Erek and Andreas Mallouris (Cyprus), Rocío Paz Guerrero Marín (Chile), and Amaia Molinet (Spain) shared their artistic practices, inspiring discussion on how art can illuminate the environmental consequences of colonial legacies. The panel was complemented by contributions from Nicholas Anastasopoulos, Charis Kordatos (Cyprus Energy Agency), and Christos Carras, who addressed global perspectives on sustainability and climate mitigation.

Contested Desires: Constructive Dialogues is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union and implemented in partnership with: D6:EU, Xarkis, La Bonne – Centre de Cultura de Dones Francesca Bonnemaison, Herengracht401, Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência, Museo delle Civiltà, Pro Progressione, BJCEM – Association Biennale des Jeunes Créateurs de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée, Museo Egizio (Turin), Creative Court, and La Fabrique Art Studio.

Associated Partners: D6: Culture in Transit, Larnaka 2030 – European Capital of Culture Candidate City, Cyprus University of Technology, Fondazione Scuola dei Beni e delle Attività Culturali, Casa Árabe.

In collaboration with: Nubuke Foundation, Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos, and the Research Centre for Museums and Galleries – University of Leicester.