Digenis and the Drone

A four-day participatory artistic and research initiative taking place from 4 to 7 November 2026 at the Municipal Cultural Centre "Panos Solomonidis" in Limassol.

What happens when a medieval hero meets a modern drone?

Starting from the myth of Digenis Acritas and recent events surrounding the British military base at Akrotiri, the initiative explores how the stories we inherit shape our perception of heroes, monsters, borders and conflicts.

Drawing from Cypriot carnival traditions, cantada, satire and shadow theatre, it invites the public not only to watch, but to actively participate in creating a new collective narrative.

Programme

Wednesday 4 November | 17:30–20:30 - Public Symposium

Researchers, artists, journalists and environmental experts meet to discuss mythology, cultural memory, colonial history, the ecology of Akrotiri and contemporary geopolitics.

The audience will have the opportunity to participate in an open discussion around three questions:

• What is a Monster?
• Who — or what — is a Hero?
• What could this story mean today?

Thursday 5 and Friday 6 November | 10:00–16:00 - Participatory Creative Workshops

The ideas and reflections from the symposium are transformed into images, objects, characters and stories through two days of collective creation. No prior artistic experience is required.

Saturday 7 November | 18:00 - Final Public Performance

The initiative concludes with a collective shadow theatre performance, in which the stories and characters created during the workshops come to life before the audience.

The public symposium and final performance have free admission. Workshop participation requires registration.