EASA Cyprus NGO is excited to announce “SESAM Identity 2.0”, an extraordinary architectural and cultural meeting, taking place in the old historical centre of Nicosia from 1st to 10th March 2025. This Small European Student Architecture Meeting (SESAM) will bring together 150 participants — including architecture students, young professionals, and creatives from across Europe — to explore the theme of Identity through a series of 12 interdisciplinary workshops.

The workshops will cover a wide range of disciplines, from construction and theoretical explorations to artistic expressions, and they will take place in different locations around the historical city centre of Nicosia. Participants will produce pavilions, art installations, urban equipment, and performances, all rooted in the unique cultural and historical fabric of Nicosia. This vibrant event invites the public to witness innovative ideas come to life through creative, site-specific projects

To prepare for “SESAM Identity 2.0”, and engage with the local Cypriot community, EASA Cyprus has already organized two recent significant events:

1. Online Lecture Series: A series of six online lectures facilitated by scholars and students from various disciplines, including art, anthropology, sociology, and architecture, introduced participants to the Cypriot context and the theme of identity. This initiative raised awareness and prepared international attendees of “SESAM Identity 2.0” for the cultural and historical richness of Nicosia. 

2. European heritage Days Cyprus 2024: On 26th October 2024, EASA Cyprus hosted a one-day event under the theme “Nicosia: Heritage of Routes, Networks, and Connections,” sponsored by European Heritage Days Cyprus. The morning featured a conference with scholars, including Kostas Moraitis, and students from various universities, discussing identity and space within Nicosia’s urban fabric. In the afternoon, participants explored the city through historical walks led by Anna Maragkou, offering deeper insights into Nicosia’s layered history and urban identity.

These events reflect our commitment to fostering dialogue, raising awareness, and building connections within the Cypriot community, while preparing for “SESAM Identity 2.0”.

Nicosia —the last divided capital of Europe— offers a unique backdrop to examine themes of identity, history, and collective memory. Enclosed within its 16th-century Venetian walls, Nicosia’s old city is a living tapestry of architectural influences: Ottoman legacies, Venetian remains, British colonial neoclassicism, and Cypriot modernism. The city’s division, marked most prominently by the Buffer Zone, creates poignant spaces frozen in time, reflecting the layers of shared history and cultural complexity.

“SESAM Identity 2.0” will address identity through four key lenses: 

• Processes and Rituals: How everyday practices shape identity, both personally and collectively.

• Representation: Examining who is represented or excluded in architecture and urban spaces.

• Memory: Exploring the role of individual and collective memories in shaping the built environment.

• Phenomenology: Investigating how sensory experiences influence our understanding of space and identity.

EASA’s non-institutionalized and collaborative approach to education fosters experimentation and creativity. “SESAM Identity 2.0” provides participants with the opportunity to explore alternative pedagogies in architecture and urban design while working within a supportive and diverse community. This gathering is more than just an event — it’s a platform for collaboration, discovery, and growth.

Since 2024, EASA CY is an association and a registered non-governmental organization (NGO). It functions as the local representative with the pan-European EASA network. Its main goals are to strengthen the international presentation of students and young practitioners that live in Cyprus, but also to encourage more architectural happenings to take place around the island of Cyprus, expanding the research and practices of the built environments. 

For over 40 years, EASA (European Architecture Student Assembly) has brought together young architects, designers, and artists to engage in critical conversations about architecture and its role in society. At “SESAM Identity 2.0”, we continue this tradition, expanding the dialogue to address issues of identity, representation, and memory in the heart of Nicosia.

If you are in Nicosia during the event, we warmly invite you to witness the workshops in action and see the remarkable results produced by the community. “SESAM Identity 2.0” is a celebration of architecture, culture, and identity, offering a unique opportunity to engage with innovative ideas in the heart of Nicosia’s old city!

We also invite local stakeholders, construction companies, and material suppliers to join us as partners in this ambitious initiative. Your support will not only contribute to the success of “SESAM Identity 2.0”, but will also showcase your role in advancing architectural innovation and cultural exchange in Cyprus.

For more information, such as the location of the workshops, visit www.easacyprus.org , follow us on social media, and subscribe to our newsletter!

Event Name: SESAM Identity 2.0 

Theme: Identity 

When: 1st – 10th March 2025 

Where: Old historical centre of Nicosia 

Participants: 150 from all Europe

Workshops: 12