After over a decade of shaping Cyprus’ cultural identity, the AfroBanana Festival undergoes a bold transformation. Now rebranded as ABR Festival (Alternative Brains Rule), the event relocates to the heart of Nicosia, using the Municipal Theatre and Municipal Garden as its central stages from June 19 to 22, 2025.

One of this year’s highlights is “1984–NOW”, a retrospective exploring the evolution of electronic music in Cyprus, hosted at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre. The program honors early pioneers while embracing the scene's future, with five showcases curated by influential local collectives: ABR, Sousami, Alex Tomb, Barking Cats Radio, and Honest Electronics.

Featured performers include respected figures like Evagoras Karayioryis, Menelaos Tomasides, and Manic Mike, alongside newer voices such as Kasska and La Rod’s, reflecting a multi-generational celebration of electronic creativity.

Each evening, the Municipal Garden becomes a vibrant venue for open-air performances, highlighting sounds that have defined the festival while exploring new directions.

On June 20, the lineup includes the return of South African powerhouse BCUC, winners of the WOMEX Artist Award 2023, alongside Cypriot experimentalists Spherical Cow, electronic spiritualists Zelzeleh, and Nama Dama, who blends electro-folk with Ukrainian, Greek, and Cypriot roots.

June 21 brings the chaotic energy of Brass Rave Unit from Amsterdam, the rhythm-heavy Rumba Attack, Afro-Caribbean band Tatadana, and a long-awaited performance by Venezuelan artist Luzmira Zerpa, reuniting with 10-member band Drymbago for the first time in eight years.

Art also takes center stage at ABR, with public installations and interactive works reimagining how audiences experience space and connection.

The festival debuts “Umbra”, a multi-sensory bridge-walk designed by Studio [lamarina] and Ferhat Yeşilada, connecting the theatre and garden. Visual Voices honor Famagusta’s Orange Festival with “Peacock Hand Juicer”, a participatory sculpture dispensing fresh juice.

Local artist Kyriaki Costa contributes “Head and Hand”, crafted from glass recovered from the Pediaios River, while Maria Mitsi presents “Windows to the Soul”, inspired by the 1960s redesign of the Municipal Gardens by visionary architect Neoptolemos Michaelides.

The festival concludes on Sunday, June 22, with Τραπέζωμα, a free-entry communal celebration. DJs perform from a massive table structure, with sets by Dimitri Papaioannou, Koulla P. Katsikoronou, Facets, and sixonesix. Simultaneously, the culinary team from Το Πατρικόν serves nostalgic dishes like trachanos croquettes and traditional kleftiko, closing the weekend with flavor and rhythm.

Festival passes are available for €40 in advance or €45 at the entrance or online from June 19, via more.com and abrfest.com. Admission is free for children under 12, and all tickets grant access to the entire four-day program.

Visitors can also enjoy the street food market on June 20 and 21 without a festival pass.

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