On Monday night, five young people from across Cyprus will launch their digital stories about everyday life, division and co-existence on the island. The debut screening of their short films, called Life Routes: Cyprus, will take place at the Goethe-Institut Cyprus, in the capital’s Buffer Zone.
The films came together as part of a participatory research project led by YouCitizen at Durham University (UK). The project aims to help young people make sense of their lives and to explore their futures in places where there have been division and strained relations as a result of conflict.
Six months ago, five young Cypriots assumed the role of researcher. They identified individuals, communities and places through which they could explore the themes of identity, belonging, and mobility through peer and inter-generational interviews.
Through these interviews, the young researchers gathered stories, memories, views and experiences of a diverse array of people and communities across Cyprus. Working with these community storytellers, the young researchers then brought their personal stories to life by producing short videos that narrate experiences of everyday life, home, division, crossing and the ‘other’ side.
Life Routes: Cyprus Coordinator Dima Smaira said: “We hope that these stories will allow people from different backgrounds and areas to explore and learn the views and experiences of others throughout the island, and create a dialogue on how identity and belonging are formed in the spaces of everyday life.”
Members of the public are welcome to attend the free screening of Life Routes: Cyprus on 12 December. Afterwards, there will be a discussion with the five young people involved in the project, who will share their experiences and talk about the themes, places and people featured in their stories. A reception will follow.
The short videos will also be available online for others to explore on the YouCitizen website from 13 December.
Screening details
Film: Life Routes: Cyprus
Date: Monday 12th December 2016
Venue address: Goethe-Institut Cyprus, Buffer Zone (by Ledra Palace), Nicosia
Event times: 7.30pm (TRNC time)
Admission: Free
RSVP and info: to register your place and/or for further details please email Shirin Jetha at shirinjetha@hotmail.com, or telephone +90 542 865 0702 /+357 97613585. Alternatively, contact project co-ordinator Dima Smaira at d.e.smaira@durham.ac.uk
