Art exhibitions, parallel events and film screenings

Just a handful of days remain until the 4th Larnaca Biennale draws to a close after seven weeks full of art showcases, public installations, participatory performances and creative workshops for all ages. With over 100 participating artists, nearly 20 sidebar events, 13 indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces and thousands of visitors, this has been the biggest and most expansive edition yet.

Commenting on its success, its artistic director Vassilis Vassiliades says: “The 2025 Larnaca Biennale is the best edition of the institution so far. Our experience has shown that the event always follows an evolutionary course, and this fourth edition demonstrated a remarkable leap forward. A major contribution to this was, of course, the extensive work carried out by curator Sana López Abellán, who oversaw the exhibition in every possible detail.”

Well-received by artists and art enthusiasts alike, the team marked important collaborations across Larnaca and the world for this edition, yet it is the response from another group that both the artistic director and the curator feel particularly proud of: “For the first time, we witnessed queues forming outside certain exhibition venues, especially on weekends, while the halls were often full of visitors throughout the day. School visits also increased, and through the educational programmes, many children were introduced to the artworks of the Biennale and the curator’s concept.”

A final cinema evening curated by the Larnaka Cinema Society remains for tonight showcasing the 2024 drama Crossing. Directed by Levan Akin, the film is a moving story about two reluctant strangers who transcend distances to find love in the bustling city of Istanbul. The film, presented at Larnaca Municipal Theatre G Lykourgos, questions what it means to transcend boundaries – both internally and ideologically.

For the first time, Larnaca Biennale organises an event this Wednesday, dedicated to the official presentation of the catalogue of this fourth edition. The booklet includes photographs and descriptions of all of the artworks that were presented this year, offering the public a second reading of the selected pieces, as they were photographed in their exhibited spots. The catalogue will be available for sale.

The event takes place at Apothiki 79, where some of the main exhibition’s Along Lines and Traces artworks are exhibited.

A day before Larnaca Biennale concludes its jam-packed 2025 agenda, it travels to Athienou to celebrate the creations of students and community members. Bringing culture, creativity and community together, the Traces of Our Heritage – Designing for a Cause exhibition and award ceremony showcase the work of children and adults who designed magnets, postcards, t-shirts and other small products inspired by local culture, history and traditions.

The initiative encouraged makers to create designs that reflect the rich heritage of the area, such as local landscapes, historical landmarks, traditional crafts and cultural symbols, using a blend of modern and traditional artistic styles to represent the community’s values and cultural significance. The final products serve as beautiful reminders of the local heritage while contributing to a meaningful cause, leaving a positive impact on the community.

As Larnaca Biennale concludes this Friday, its curator says: “In this edition, I felt that our vision was achieved: bringing people together and bringing art to a place that is not always considered an obvious point on the global art map. While spending time in the venues and interacting with visitors, I noticed how diverse the audience was, ranging from seasoned art professionals to people who simply wandered in by coincidence. There is great value in all of these encounters. The experienced visitors, who can be difficult to impress, make their appreciation feel even more rewarding, while the newcomers can still be surprised and awakened to new artistic sensitivities.”

Looking ahead, the organising team is already planning a revamped 2027 edition. “The conclusion of the 4th Larnaca Biennale brings us face-to-face with very important decisions. The circumstances have now changed considerably, which means that in certain areas radical changes must be made. All will be revealed in the next edition.”

Until then, art and collective creativity still echo throughout Larnaca and the Along Lines and Traces’ exhibition venues remain open to the public until November 28.

4th Larnaca Biennale

Bi-annual multi-week exhibition fair celebrating arts and culture with showcases and parallel events. Until November 28. Larnaca. www.biennalelarnaca.com