Nicosia's Arts and Culture were promoted through a series of free Creative Workshops provided by the HUB-IN project

A series of free Creative Workshops open to the public was organized by the local representatives of Nicosia HUB-IN -Nicosia Municipality and Cyprus Energy Agency- during July and September. The activity falls under Action 3 of the city's Map within the HUB-IN project, Activations of the Hub – Interacting and Engaging, which aims to bring visitors of Nicosia's Historic Urban Area [HUA] and local artists closer, while at the same time, to promote the city's Cultural and Creative Industries.

Five workshops were organized in total. Two for kids and three for adults. The five workshops were organized in collaboration with artists living and/or working in Nicosia, and were hosted by CYENS Center of Excellence, CYENS Thinker Maker Space, and Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre, which are located in Nicosia's HUA.

"The sense of abandonment of Nicosia's HUA impacts the inhabitants and workers of the area", according to the organizers. "Despite the diversity of citizen groups represented within the HUA, there is a lack of collectivism and there is a real need in creating social interactions and activity intersections. Historically, the area has been a craftsman area and the place where creatives and artists gathered, but also the place of many craftsmanship studios.” This was the mindset behind the organization of this activity.

Using the ingredients that constitute the values ​​of Nicosia HUB-IN, and elements of the tangible and intangible cultural fabric of the city, the organizers offered a series of experiential events that (re)connect traditional and contemporary practices, old and the new skills and knowledge, and bring together people that would not otherwise connect. For instance, one of the two workshops for kids introduced the art of making head and waist scarves in the 19th century in the island, with a modern twist of making bandanas stamped with traditional patterns. Another example, was the workshop for the design and production of table lamps through digital fabrication, using the laser-cut technique, that raised awareness about the dying traditional crafts of the country and revived textile patterns in a radical way through a modern product.

More than 60 people showed interest in the workshops*, and 42 finally participated in. Data from the pre-questionnaire participants had to complete during registration shows that most of them are not familiar with Nicosia's history and culture (49%), yet they believe Nicosia is a Powerhouse of Creativity (53%). At the same time, they insist that the preservation/promotion of the local cultural heritage is and should be a public liability (90%).

Interesting enough are also the data drawn from the questionnaire participants received after the workshops. 16 individuals replied to this optional questionnaire, most of them citizens of the city outside the walls. The majority of them (10/16) said they would stay at home or do nothing else if it wasn't about the workshop. A high percentage also said they joined the workshops in search for some personal relaxation and to get to know Nicosia arts and costumes. 6/12 said they joined to meet Nicosia's Cultural and Creative Industries.

Other insights include that the workshops have somehow helped change the perception of those who participated towards Nicosia/Cyprus' Cultural Heritage (5/16 said Not much – Not little and 5/16 said Much). They have also helped boost their sense of pride about it (7/16 said Much). 8/16 also said that the workshops helped them develop new skills or boost existing ones, create memories, and network with people they would otherwise not. Speaking of the latter, 4/16 respondents said that the workshops inspired them to either start a new hobby or business, and 3 said they would incorporate the techniques they learned in their existing businesses to boost innovation in the design of new products/services.

It is worth mentioning that the Action has already achieved the goals the local representatives set while adding it in their Plan? to stimulate and encourage the development of new collaborations between citizens and local stakeholders, to elevate the sense of pride and sense of belonging for the local creative community, and overall, to raise awareness about Nicosia's HUB-IN.

To learn more about Nicosia's HUB-IN, click here.

* For better coordination, registration to most of the workshops was limited.