Here’s a roundup of what’s on this week — from a modern retelling of Homer’s Odyssey to a saxophone concert in Protaras, gallery exhibitions across the island, and new releases in cinemas.
Book
Stephen Fry’s “Odyssey” brings a modern retelling to the ancient Greek epic. The Observer praised Fry as a charismatic narrator, calling the book “an outstanding, gripping read.” Troy has fallen, and after ten years of war the Greeks can finally set sail for home, but what awaits them there is another matter. King Agamemnon must return to Mycenae and to Clytemnestra, who never forgave him for sacrificing their daughter Iphigenia to secure a favourable wind for the fleet. Odysseus, setting sail for Ithaca, longs to embrace his beloved Penelope and his only son, Telemachus, but the gods have other plans: enraged by his arrogance, Poseidon condemns him to wander the seas for ten long years. One-eyed giants, six-headed monsters, terrible storms, giant whirlpools, hypnotic Sirens, beguiling witches and jealous goddesses stand in his way, but nothing will break the resourceful Odysseus.
Patakis Editions. 464 pages. Price: €19.90
Music
Protaras pedestrian street (Nausicaa Hotel), Tuesday 25/8, 8pm. The concerts titled “Saxophone Festivities” are presented by the newly formed Cyprus Saxophone Orchestra of the Cyprus Saxophone Association, Saxophonia. The title draws on the work Festivities by Cypriot composer Alexandros Darna for saxophone orchestra. The two concerts feature original and arranged works by Cypriot, French, Cuban, American and Brazilian composers.
The pieces showcase the dynamism and range of the twelve-member saxophone orchestra, which includes all six members of the saxophone family: sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone and bass saxophone. Performers include Christos Zenios (sopranino saxophone), Sylva Christodoulidou-Toumagian and Areti Myrali (soprano saxophone), Stella Arampatzoglou, Katerina Parpouna and Angelos Michael (alto saxophone), Theofilos Sotiriadis, Thomas Lumley and Christos Papadopoulos (tenor saxophone), Yiannis Myralis and Nikolas Georgiou (baritone saxophone), and Haris Ioannou (bass saxophone). Artistic direction: Yiannis Myralis. Free admission.
Exhibitions
Nicosia
Vitrine (16 Pentadaktylou). Visual installation by Christina Siakola titled “Things I Forget.” Until 25/8
Apokalypsi (22300150). Group exhibition titled “Code Reconstruction.” Until 12/9
Limassol
Platres, Minerva Hotel. Christodoulos Panayiotou’s “Trilogy of Summer Retreat.” Until 30/8
XeniArtSpace – Trilogy West Tower (99980009). Photography exhibition “Women in Focus.” Until 19/9
Larnaca
St-art Cafe (7A N. Laniti). Group exhibition where all works are priced the same, at 250 euros. Until 31/8
Pierides Museum (22128175). “Nina Iakovou: Eyes to See and Hands to Touch.” Until 6/5/2027
Paphos
Almyra Hotel (26888700). Group exhibition titled “Temporary Forever.” Until 6/9
Cinema
New releases: Insidious: Out of the Further (directed by Jacob Chase, starring Lin Shaye, Sam Spruell, Amelia Eve), Mutiny (directed by Jean-Francois Richet, starring Jason Statham, Annabelle Wallis, Adrian Lester), One Night Only (directed by Will Gluck, starring Callum Turner, Tyronne Chambers, Grace Dumday), and Minions & Monsters (animated film directed by Pierre Coffin) — RIO Limassol and Nicosia Mall, tel. 25871410.
