Nicosia, May 8, 2023. - On the evening of May 4, 2023 the First Ibero-American Film Festival in Cyprus was inaugurated with the collaboration of the Ibero-American Embassies in the Mediterranean island (Brazil, Cuba, Portugal and Spain), the Cervantes and Camoes Institutes, and the Association of Friends of Cinema.
This important initiative opens the way for a cultural exchange between Cyprus and the Ibero-American countries. Through cinema, the public of Cyprus can learn a little more about the culture of each of the countries and bring them a little closer to the Ibero-American world.
In the auditorium of the Cultural Center of the European University, Cuba hosted the opening ceremony and the Cuban Ambassador in his speech emphasized the richness and diversity of the Ibero-American culture and that the cinema of this region is not an exception. He also expressed the hope that the festival will be a bridge between the peoples of Ibero-America and Cyprus.
Prior to the screening of the film, City in Red, by director Rebeca Chavez, the attendees enjoyed a performance by dancers Jhonly and Despina, entitled "My Roots". At the end of the screening of the film, participants were able to exchange with the Ambassadors of Portugal, Spain and Cuba and the Cultural Officer of Brazil, during the reception held in honor of the inauguration of this first event of Ibero-American cinematography in Cyprus.
The Festival was attended by the general public, by several Ambassadors and diplomatic corps accredited in the country, and was also attended by Ambassador Kyriakos Kouros, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus.
Moviegoers will be able to enjoy the rest of the films at the same venue but at 8:30 pm: on May 7, the Brazilian comedy "A Dog's Testament" (2020) directed by Guel Arraes, on May 12 the Spanish film "Mother" (2019) by Rodrigo Sorogoyen and the Portuguese "Mother Knows Best" (2016) by Nuno Rocha on May 14. All of them will be screened in their original language with English or Greek subtitles and with free admission (EmbaCuba Cyprus).