October 2023
7 - 13 SAT – FRI 20:30
International Short Film Festival of Cyprus - ISFFC 2023 (18+)
A kaleidoscope of fiction, animation, experimental and documentary shorts, that will catch the eye of every film aficionado, showcasing the diverse character of the local and international film community. The Rialto’s screen will be hosting the ISFFC for the 13th consecutive year, under the artistic direction of Ioakim Mylonas and Alexia Roider.
Parallel events and screenings complete the ISFFC programme including, for the second year running, the TSFM – What’s the story? (9–13 October) international intensive short film development writing workshop promoted by Torino’s Talents and Short Film Market (TSFM). The workshop will be offering screenwriting guidance, knowledge and tools to eight selected film directors and screenwriters from Cyprus and the neighbouring countries.
The festival is an annual institutional event of the Deputy Ministry of Culture (Department of Modern and Contemporary Culture) organised in collaboration with the Rialto Theatre. With English and Greek subtitles.
Free entrance / Booking in advance is required.

19 THU 20:30 (75’)
Vakia / Vakia Stavrou
«A breathtaking, delicate voice that enchants the listener with its vast beauty». (Radio France, Bertrand)
Vakia Stavrou, a cosmopolitan artist having travelled the world and performed at some of Europe’s most prestigious festivals (Les Suds a Arles, Mostra Viva del Mediterrani) presents her latest, much-anticipated album. Α repertoire including her most popular interpretations, enjoyed by the local and international audience alike, as well as her own much-loved songs, which she introduced to her loyal concertgoers, alongside a selection of songs that she wrote herself as a composer and songwriter.
Guided by the emotional and vibrating tone of her voice, and accompanied by the classical guitar of Cypriot virtuoso instrumentalist, Socrates Leptos and the delicate melodies of cellist Stelios Pittas, Vakia Stavrou will take the audience on an enchanting journey brimming with light and magic: onto another dimension, an alternative space-time, a unique experience. The much-anticipated new album by internationally-acclaimed Cypriot singer is simply and concisely titled under her own name: Vakia.
Tickets: € 15 / 10

20 FRI 20:30 (75‘)
His Mother | Antilogos Theatre
Based on true events, a documentary play written by Michalis Papadopoulos and directed by Alexia Papalazarou.
The director unfolds the story of her mother, of her own family, of her brothers Kyriakos and Sotiris, their loss, her brother’s murder, while unveiling how such a death can affect the lives of those left behind. By her side stands her mother and main character, Agathoniki, who, in the midst of her mourning, describes Cyprus the way she experienced it: from the British occupation until the tragic days of the Turkish invasion.
In an era of conflict and strife, with the scourge of racism, fascism, nationalism and political fanaticism returning more fiercely, Antilogos Theatre introduces a true story that everyone knows, yet no one talks about.
Written by: Michalis Papadopoulos
Directed by: Alexia Papalazarou
Set and costume design: Edouardos Georgiou
Lighting design: Vassilis Peteinaris
Music: Giorgos Karvellos
Assistant stage designer: Monica Hatzivasiliou
On stage: Alexia Papalazarou, Christina Christofia, Iliana Kakkoura, Myrsini Christodoulou
Tickets: € 15 / 12

21 SAT 20:30 (120’)
A concert tribute to Loukianos Kilaidonis
A lively group of friends and musicians set out on a one-of-a-kind concert following in the footsteps of the “lonely cowboy of Athens”: the independent, unconventional, and undeniably inventive Greek composer and songwriter, Loukianos Kilaidonis.
Fresh performances of Kilaidonis' still-relevant songs make up the repertoire of the album with the same title “Thank you, Loukianos!”. The band will visit Cyprus this time, a place cherished by Kilaidonis himself, hosting an exceptional tribute to the leader and instigator of our first parties, the singer who inspired and motivated our craziest plans!
With: Panos Mouzourakis, Manolis Famellos, Maria Kilaidoni, Christos Papadopoulos
Musicians: Stephanos Danielides (piano, accordion), Manos Loutas (bass), Vangelis Tsimblakis (drums).
Tickets: € 25 / 20

22 SUN 10:30 & 12:00 (90‘)
Peripato | Maria Varnakkidou, Constantina Andreou
The Heroes’ Square interactive soundwalk is now accessible to the English-speaking audience. All texts have been translated into English, offering the opportunity to the international audience of Limassol to enjoy this one-of-a-kind walk-through.
A journey across time, an imprint of memory, an experience of sound and visual images, conceived by Maria Varnakkidou and Konstantina Andreou in the framework of Rialto’s Associate Artist Residence Scheme.
A soundwalk around and across Heroes’ Square is dedicated to those people who lived it, are currently living it and who will experience it in the future. Stories from the past, monuments and buildings that have been changing over the course of time, as well as a glance at the future of the Square. Amidst all these, the Rialto becomes the protagonist, a theatre that has been shaping a cultural identity, constituting a significant chapter in the history of the emblematic Heroes’ Square. Soundwalk translation in English: Diamanto Stylianou & Despina Pirketti. Part of Limassol Art Walks (https://limassolartwalks.com).
Free entrance / Booking in advance is required.

25 WED 20:30 (75’) On Stage
Albert Camus Today I Vivliotropio
November 2023 marks the 110th anniversary of birth of French writer and philosopher Albert Camus. On this occasion, Vivliotropio hosts a tribute to Albert Camus, to a “truly and undeniably free man” according to Kostis Papayiorgis, a personality combining the distancing of Stoic philosophers with humility and sensuality. Literary critic Tina Mandilara and writer Nasia Dionysiou will talk about Albert Camus – the man, the writer, the philosopher.
This tribute to Albert Camus will also host a performance titled Camus, the Loving Man presenting dramatised excerpts from his correspondence with Maria Casarès, performed by actors Varnavas Kyriazis and Vassiliki Kypreou. The selected correspondence letters will be translated especially for this occasion.
Translated by: Nasia Dionysiou
Performed by: Varnavas Kyriazis, Vassiliki Kypreou
Music supervision: George Kolias
Lighting design: Vassilis Petinaris
Free entrance / Booking in advance is required.

26 – 28 THU - SAT 20:30
The Animattikon Project
The Animattikon Project, the international animation festival returns for its sixth edition from 26 to 28 October 2023 at the Rialto Theatre, presenting a diverse selection of 52 animated short films from 18 countries covering the entire spectrum of the international independent scene. Additionally, the festival will also be hosting lectures, workshops and exhibitions centered around the art of animation. The detailed programme will be announced soon.
For the first time this year, the festival will be enriched with the addition of the MO event: a showcase exclusively focusing on the art of motion graphics. In its inaugural year, MO will present an exhibition of motion graphics films at Art Studio55.
The Animattikon Project is organised by Kimonos Art Center, in collaboration with the Rialto Theatre and the Department of Multimedia and Graphic Arts of Cyprus University of Technology.
With English subtitles
General Programme of screenings:
26/10: 10 animated shorts (72')
27/10: 15 animated documentaries, video clips and music videos (76')
28/10: 14 international and Cypriot student animation short films (66')
The Animattikon Project will wrap up with the awards ceremony.
Tickets: €5 (Free entrance for students).

29 SUN 20:30 (80‘) On Stage
Biomagia | FlashArt 2023
What if we were given the chance to go back in time and change everything? In Biomagia, the recently separated main character, Jan, is in pursuit of happiness after a breakup. He embarks on a journey to the last random meeting he had with a girl just before the beginning of a theatrical performance, a meeting that had barely lasted two minutes.
What if he re-lived those two minutes, paying attention to the details? The repetitiveness of a certain scene illuminates the “insignificant” moments, the ones we initially ignore. But these are the “little sparks” that can ultimately bring happiness and reactivate our basic human need for communication.
We have the ability to communicate easily and quickly with people all around the world, without realising that we are unable to effectively communicate with the person who may be right next to us, sometimes even ignoring their existence.
Biomagia reminds us that magic is hidden everywhere, as long as we are open to let the others’ gaze penetrate our heart.
A show with humour, play and... Magic!
*Biomagia by Marianna Kalbaris will be staged for the first time in Cyprus. It was first presented on National Theatre of Greece’s Experimental Stage in 2004, marking a huge success for two consecutive years.
Directed by: Eleni Anastasiou
Sets/Costumes: Rea Olympiou
Music: Andreas Michalopoulos, Stavros Makris
Lighting Design: Karolina Spyrou
Movement: Ivi Hatzivasileiou
Cast: Andreas Koutsoftas, Marian Kyprianou
Musician On Stage/ ElaVassilis: Andreas Michalopoulos
Tickets: € 12 / 10
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31 TUE 20:30 (75’)
My Ennio Morricone I Stavros Lantsias Quartet
Acclaimed Cypriot pianist and composer, Stavros Lantsias, introduces the audience to the music universe of his beloved composer, Ennio Morricone, presenting some of the most unforgettable soundtracks of emblematic films such as Lolita, Cinema Paradiso, Once Upon a Time in the West, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Inventive arrangements and inspired orchestrations by charismatic soloists make up an evening passionately dedicated to the music of the Italian composer:
With love for Cinema, images and emotions, enriched with references to the films and fascinating extracts from interviews with the composer.
Some of Lantsias’ arrangements on Morricone’s music were first presented at Megaron Athens Concert Hall, during the premiere of the documentary on Ennio Morricone’s life, directed by Giusepe Tornatore, at Athens International Film Festival “Premiere Nights”.
Experienced and sensitive, Lantsias approaches the work of Ennio Morricone at its very core, understanding its multiple dimensions and exploring every composition in detail. Through his own creative vision, and accompanied by his skilled fellow instrumentalists, he sets up a fascinating film that evokes a multitude of emotions. The musicians never abandon the spirit of composition: they set the tone to jazz, producing exquisite music that touches both musicians and listeners.
The album Stavros Lantsias Quartet “My Ennio Morricone” was completed in summer 2023, with the permission of the composer’s family.
Stavros Lantsias: piano, melodica, glockenspiel
Andreas Polyzogopoulos: trumpet & flügelhorn
Michalis Kalkanis: double bass
Michalis Kapilidis: drums
Produced by: GSA Cultural Productions LTD
Tickets: € 15 / 10
