The #UNDER30 Programme of the Nicosia International Festival 2024 presents a musical journey by Zina Melekki
Nicosia 2030, a candidate for the European Capital of Culture, as part of its initiative to support young creators in the framework of the #Under30 programme, presents the concert by Zina Melekki titled "Echoes Across Divides". This musical journey will take place on Friday, 10 January 2025 (20:30), at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre, as part of the 5th Nicosia International Festival.
Zina grew up in Paralimni, deeply connected to the pain left behind by the Turkish Invasion. She recalls school trips to the Cultural Centre of Derynia, where students would use binoculars to view the ghost city of Famagusta. Everywhere, there were constant reminders of loss and division, which affected every generation. We grew up in a country where our map was divided by a line.
Music has always been her way of expressing inner emotions and addressing social issues. She believes it is one of the purest forms of communication, capable of making people think, feel and reflect.
The performance “Echoes Across Divides” features both old and new compositions, reflecting the emotional landscape of a divided island and its people. While deeply influenced by the pain of separation, the music also celebrates the beauty of everyday moments: friendship, love, and resilience. Through her songs, the young artist seeks to bridge the gap between past and present, the personal and the collective, inviting the audience to reflect on the echoes that resonate across the dividing lines in their own lives.
