A Decade of Windcraft Music Festival: Returning to the Heart of Cyprus
Next week, the quaint village of Katydata will once again come alive with the sounds of the Windcraft Music Festival, celebrating its tenth anniversary with a vibrant array of workshops, concerts, and music jams. Scheduled for July 13 and 14, this year’s event will prominently feature wind instruments, offering a diverse musical experience.
Musical Diversity at Windcraft Music Fest 10
The tenth edition of the Windcraft Music Fest promises an eclectic lineup, showcasing wind instruments across various musical genres. Attendees can look forward to an enchanting mix of jazz, contemporary music inspired by folk traditions, acoustic and electronic sounds, dynamic Balkan and techno brass bands, energizing funky beats, and serene sunset ragas. The festival also includes interdisciplinary performances, blending music with storytelling, and a unique DIY saxophone quartet.
Main Stage Highlights
This year, the Orchard— the festival’s central stage—will resonate with performances from the Andreas Polyzogopoulos Trio and Odysseas Toumazou’s Origins project. Additionally, the Ideaon Project will present a fusion of Cretan and rock music, enhanced by the distinctive sounds of Loïc Bléjean’s uilleann pipes.
Village-Wide Musical Exploration
Katydata’s corners will buzz with the powerful sounds of Captain Stambolov’s Balkan brass and Mefisto Brass’s techno beats, alongside the acoustic and electronic fusion of Norlyz. The Krama Brass Band will showcase young, talented wind players navigating between eastern and western music styles, while the Chunky Funky Quartet, featuring saxophonist Jan Kus, will deliver electrifying funky beats.
Special Performances Across Unique Venues
Various village locations will host a range of captivating performances:
- The Windcraft Band & Voices will offer original arrangements of traditional music.
- The Fellowship of Aeolus, a musical-narrative piece by Bruno Tomasello & Marina Katsari, developed during their EFFEA-supported residency.
- Indian classical music with sunset ragas by Markus Schmidt and Ravi Saundankar.
- The Kardjin Sax Quartet, composed of musicians from different festival bands, will play works by Cypriot composer Evagoras Karageorgis.
- Interdisciplinary performances such as HA KO by Selas Dance Company and Day Fades Into Night Fades Into Day Fades Into by Annie Khoury and Elena Xyda.
Interactive Workshops and Activities
The festival’s rich parallel program is designed to engage visitors of all ages in musical and artistic creation. Workshops will include:
- Makams with Harris Lambrakis and Elena Xyda.
- Indian classical music with Markus Schmidt.
- Traditional tsiattista with Nikoletta Demetriou and spoken word interpretation with Kalia Loizidou.
- Crafting pithkiavli with Renos Ktoros and tin flute playing with Timo Bark.
- Creative movement with Maria Kamberis and Demetris Yiasemides.
- Ceramic art with Souzana Petri.
- Yoga sessions with Lisa Karaoli.
- Exploration of the village’s and the region’s mining history with Aliosha Bielenberg.
All workshops and activities are open to the public and free of charge, encouraging an inclusive and engaging festival experience.
Permanent Installations
The Stavrinos Inn will feature two permanent installations throughout the festival:
- Armarouthkia Literary Corner: A space to relax and browse literary works by Cypriot writers and poets.
- Sounds of Memory: A thematic exhibition where visitors can listen to stories of objects as narrated by the village’s residents.
With two days brimming with activities and world music, the Windcraft Music Fest 10 promises a memorable summer experience in rural Cyprus. Don’t miss out on this unique celebration of music and culture.
Windcraft Music Fest 10
Date: July 13-14
Location: Katydata village, Nicosia
Website: www.windcraftmusicfest.com