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Reimagining Colonial Heritage: Environmental Impact and Cultural Response

CONTESTED DESIRES: Constructive Dialogues
Reimagining Colonial Heritage:  Environmental Impact and Cultural Response


Larnaca, Cyprus | 23-25 January 2025

Join us for critical discussions about colonial heritage and environmental stewardship through contemporary art.  

From 23 to 25 January 2025, Larnaca welcomes 60 international artists, producers, cultural institutions and museums from the countries participating in Contested Desires to take part in workshops and discussions to address urgent global challenges on decolonisation, with opportunities for the public to take part in a live conference and join online presentations with guest speakers. 

CONFERENCE AND ONLINE PRESENTATIONS

Public and online conference, Friday 24 January, 17:30-19:00

In person: Cathedral Saint Lazarus – Schooling Venue, Larnaka (map)

We spotlight how artists are responding to the climate crisis, giving opportunities to hear from artists, take part in critical discussion and find out about arts-led approaches to environmental stewardship.

Larnaka 2030 and D6:EU will welcome guests and set the context of colonialism and the climate crisis. Maria Hadjimichael (PhD) will give a keynote speech, introducing the impact of the climate crisis today with particular reference to the seas as new economic frontiers.

Artists Smer Erek and Andreas Mallouris from Cyprus, Rocío Paz Guerrero Marín from Chile and Amaia Molinet from Spain will share their practice followed by a panel discussion exploring the ways art is addressing the impact of colonialism on the environment. 

Click here to find out more about the speakers (D6:EU’s website)

Online presentations, Thursday 23 January

We invite people to hear from speakers who set the scene through the lens of how colonialism via capitalism has led to the climate crisis. 

12:00- 13:15
The colonial history of Cyprus – introduction by Argyro Toumazou, Director D6:EU

Society, culture and politics in Cyprus: from Ottoman to British Rule  Loizos Kapsalis, History Education Officer, Association for Historical Dialogue and Research.

Explorations of artistic negotiation of identity in colonial eras – Antonis Danos from the Cyprus University of Technology.

15:30-17:00
From Colonialism to the Climate Crisis – introduced and facilitated by Clymene Christoforou, Director, D6:EU.

Keynote address: The world as we know it and the world ahead Nicholas Anastasopoulos, who will give the global context of the climate crisis and capitalism.

The climate hotspot situation faced by Cyprus, examples and measures of mitigation – Charis Kordatos, from the Cyprus Energy Agency

How to ensure sustainability is at the core of strategic planning for museums Christos Carras.

Click here to find out more about the speakers (D6:EU’s website).

**HOW TO JOIN**

For the in-person conference (Fri 24 Jan) – book your free place here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1118797466339?aff=oddtdtcreator 

For the online conference (Fri 24 Jan) and online sessions (Thurs 23 Jan) – select and book your free places here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1144086145459?aff=oddtdtcreator


ARTISTS RESIDENCIES IN CYPRUS

Following the conference, five artist residencies will take place in Cyprus, Chile, Hungary, Spain and Portugal. In Cyprus in collaboration with the H401 and Creative Court institutes in Amsterdam and La Fabrique in Tunis, Larnaka2030 will host artists Sithabile Mlotshwa and Mohamed Ben Slama. The artists’ residencies will create a space for research, exploration and engagement with local history, culture and communities. At the end of their residencies in February, the artists will have the opportunity to hold public presentations of their work in progress and engage with audiences in Cyprus.

Produced by Cyprus-based D6:EU, who lead the global arts programme for CDCD, this programme is a collaboration between D6:EU, Larnaka2030, Xarkis, CDCD’s international partners and local stakeholders. It is supported by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union, the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Culture, and Larnaka2030 – European Capital of Culture Candidate City.

For Media Inquiries and Further Information:

Halime Özdemir-Larusso, Associate Producer, D6:EU

halime@d6.eu

Notes to Editors:

Image Bank: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kb_kCMARwRfDgdKoqqHA8oGTLAUPNbHC?usp=sharing

Logos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18nn6N1Il7Z0N1gK-jdbiLO8nShoicaLk?usp=sharing 

International Partners  

  • D6:EU (CY): Focused on developing European cultural capacity with principles rooted in the European Green Agenda, participation, equity, and heritage and diversity.
  • Xarkis (CY): A cultural NGO promoting socio-ecological civic engagement through artistic expression and co-creation practices.
  • ECCOM (IT): Leading partner since 1995, ECCOM works on the role of culture in society, promoting public development, social inclusion, and lifelong learning through an interdisciplinary approach to cultural heritage.
  • La Bonne (ES): A cultural centre with a multidisciplinary feminist and anti-racist focus, working on audiovisuals, performance, research, and activism.
  • H401 (NL): Amsterdam-based cultural organisation, with a focus on exhibitions, debates, artistic research, and artistic residencies.
  • Creative Court (NL): The Hague-based organisation developing artistic projects that reflect on global peace and justice.
  • MUHNAC (PT): The National Museum of Natural History and Science at the University of Lisbon, with the largest collection of natural history and scientific artefacts in Portugal.
  • MUCIV (IT): The Museum of Civilisations in Rome, which brings together collections from five former national museums, including one of Europe’s oldest collections dedicated to promoting the world’s prehistoric and ethnological heritage.
  • Museo Egizio (IT): The world’s oldest museum dedicated to Ancient Egypt, applying advanced scientific techniques to archaeological research.
  • Pro Progressione (HU): Based in Budapest, this umbrella organisation produces contemporary art projects and conducts artistic research.
  • La Fabrique (TN): A non-profit Tunisian cultural organisation supporting artistic and cultural expression.
  • BJCEM (BE): A Brussels-based network supporting young creative talents across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Associated Partners 

Project Collaborators