Celebrating Multiculturalism in Nicosia City Centre

An informal group of young people, the “Youth Leaders and Cultural Activists”, with help from around 30 volunteers, held a multicultural festival along the length of Ledra Street / Lokmaci on Saturday 5th June. The event got under way at 11 a.m. and lasted until after 3:00 in the afternoon, embracing and celebrating the mosaic of cultures living in the capital city of Cyprus. Ledra/ Lokmaci street is an area that has an outstanding historical and contemporary multicultural character. For five hours, a wide variety of musicians and dance groups provided performances and  interactive activities along the full length of this symbolic street, offering a unique opportunity for people to experience a flavour of the many cultures that co-exist in Nicosia’s old city. More than 600 people were actively involved in the festival programme and contributed with their energy, spreading out the message our Festival. OUR WORLD, OUR FUTURE!

Ifeanaji Ugochukwu Santos, 23, said: “It was great! We would like to see something similar again. I appreciate very much the chance to get involved in this kind of event”.

Deniz Urfali one of Cultural activists that organized this event said: “The street is still divided, but today people are united at Ledra /Lokmaci Street!”

Ivan Charalambous another organiser said: “I believe we created a pretty successful event today. I certainly had a lot of fun! Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. I really liked the different musical styles and celebrating something of the cultural diversity that exists here in Cyprus.”
 
The Ledra/Lokmaci street(s) has been divided for decades and as a result of the separation people started to perceive it as two different streets. However, the opening of the crossing point has brought a vital change to the human geography of the old Lefkosia/Lefkoşa, allowing the different and diverse cultural groups inhabiting and using the old historic town to meet, to communicate and to interact with each other. By bringing together the different people of the island and walking among artists, musicians and performers on the street that has been the symbol of ethnic and cultural division, the event aimed to celebrate cultural diversity and solidarity.

One StreetS Festival is an initiative of an enthusiastic group of ‘Youth Leaders and Cultural Activists’ acting within the framework of the Youth Activism Project funded by UNDP-ACT and implemented by the Cyprus Network of Youth Development – an island-wide network of 12 organisations that are actively engaged in youth work and non-formal education. For more information about the One StreetS Festival, please contact the “Youth Leaders and Cultural Activists” representatives, Eleni Ioannou at +35799529212 and  e_oxygen@yahoo.com or Deniz Urfali at +90 5428748123 and denizurfali@yahoo.com.