Cyprus Contemporary Dance Festival

A major international meeting in the field of dance, the Cyprus Contemporary Dance Festival brings together numerous European countries in a vibrant celebration of contemporary movement. It showcases the diversity, dynamism, and evolving language of the international contemporary dance scene through works by representative companies from each participating country. The growing participation of EU member states—through performances and workshops—clearly reflects the Festival’s consolidation as an annual highlight in the European arts and culture calendar. The Festival is an institutional event co-organised by the Deputy Ministry of Culture – Department of Contemporary Culture and the Rialto Theatre. Since 1998, it has been held every June, offering audiences in Nicosia and Limassol the opportunity to experience innovative contemporary dance artists from across Europe, alongside Cypriot dance companies. Over the years, the Festival has presented a wide spectrum of contemporary dance—from conceptual and postmodern to modern and other emerging forms—contributing to the cultivation of an audience that is increasingly open to experimentation, new ideas, and high artistic standards. Participating international companies are selected by a committee composed of the Festival’s organisers and its Artistic Advisor. The committee works in close collaboration with the cultural attachés of foreign embassies to curate a programme of international calibre. Each edition brings together established companies from countries with a strong contemporary dance tradition, as well as emerging groups from regions where the art form is still developing. Alongside new voices, the Festival also welcomes returning companies that have previously resonated with audiences in Cyprus, presenting new works and continuing an ongoing artistic dialogue.