Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

At about 5.30 pm this Saturday evening "large balloons filled with poems, sent from poets from all over the world, will be hovering over Ledra Street and will popped at a predetermined time in order to rain down on the street. The public will have the opportunity to then read the poems, while musicians will entertain passers-by." (Nicosia Municipality)

The event, organised by the European Parliament Office in Cyprus in collaboration with the Ideaogram and Sidestreets cultural groups, seems to be an attempt to bring the two communities closer together, and indeed according to a friend, "bi-communal music bands will give performances".

Although it sounds as though it could be a pleasant evening out, I am more curious as to how they will organise the whole balloon thing.

We'll certainly be attending, but then again at weekends we stay in a house within walking distance of Ledra Street.

I know how they are doing the balloon thing. Very clever stuff. Hope it works. They had a trial run so should be good. So, I am not telling, you need to come and see for yourself. And you could get to read a poem out loud!!!!!

Just bringing this thread to the top of the page to remind you culture vultures out there of this event in two days' time.
Quoting Zarafet on another thread - "Living in such a small insular place, beautiful as it is, we enjoy getting out and about for day trips and weekends away for a touch of culture and entertainment."

If there is a good turn out for this one, I think it will be something really special.

Unfortunately otherwise engaged on Saturday, but would have loved to have gone to this. Anything bi communal has to be a good idea. Maybe next time.

How was it. I never got there. Watched a tiny bit on internet, but it was a long read pseech by a Greek lady and was not coming through too well on my computer - slowm, slow, slow. So,please tell me what happened.

Re : "How was it?"
OK Marion - We crossed into Ledra Street at about 6 o'clock to be met by a group of four young Greek Cypriots singing in Greek. Having something to eat and drink in the restaurant there, we continued to watch them perform ... and then at about 6.30, listened to speakers from the two communities and a representative of the EU tell us of the importance of such bicommunal events. Please note Marion that the second speaker was a TC, who of course spoke in Turkish.
After the fınal speaker had finished, one of the big balloons was popped (I think by pulliing a wire) and down came the poems. From what I could see, each poem had been translated, so that they could be read in English, Greek and Turkish. A violinist then performed alongside the restaurant there.
However, we were curious as to what was happening northside. so we crossed back to the Arasta area and in Lefkeliler Hanı we came across the Turkish singer Zeliş performing songs in English. So we sat down (with another beer for me ) and listened to her. The organisers had brought in a very good sound system and Zeliş performed well ... her rendition of Adelle's "Someone Like You" was particularly impressive.
A flame-thrower/dancer then brought the "show" to a close on the Turkish side. I presume the festivities on the Greek side continued until much later, but by that time Havva was feeling a little cold, so we decided to make our way back.