1

Topic: Greek Cypriots cancel international Manifesta exhibition

05/06/2006
http://www.financialmirror.com/more_news.php?id=4006

Questions about "Nicosia for Art" money

Two years after winning a tough competition to host the Manifesta art exhibition in Nicosia, the Cyprus problem has got in the way and the exhibition has been cancelled by the (Greek cypriot) Republic of Cyprus hosts.

Turkish Cypriot artists meanwhile have vowed to carry on and make the exhibtion work.

The European Contemporary Art Manifesta take place every two years and is one of the most important art events in Europe.

Contemporary Art Manifesta 6 was to take place in Nicosia over 100 days, hosting international artists, critics and students.

On Thursday the curators of the exhibition, who have been visiting Cyprus for two years to plan the event, literally found that the locks had been changed on the offices which had been lent to them, following a letter that cancelled Greek Cypriot official participation in the project.

The row seems to be over the fact that one part of the exhibition will be held in northern Cyprus, which is under Turkish occupation, albeit it in a building that has original Turkish Cypriot title deeds, ie is not owned in any way by a Greek Cypriot.

While the curators maintain that it was clear from the start--in 2004 when Nicosia put in its EUR 1 mln bid for the project--that the exhibition would involve both sides of Nicosia, the Greek Cypriot side says that this is not the case.

However, in 2004, Nicosia Mayor Michael Zampelas, who cancelled the exhibition, said “We hope that the event, which will take place in 2006 will be bi-communal with both of the island’s main communities taking part. In 2006 Nicosia will feel the pride of any other European city.�

Nicosia for Art: reluctant to open accounts

Meanwhile, questions about money have been raised, with one source working on the project telling the Financial Mirror that the non-governmental organisation linked to Nicosia Municipality, Nicosia for Art, has refused to open the accounts for public scrutiny, contrary to international practice for NGOs.