Seville: A documentary screening about the closed city of Varosha, in Cyprus, is set to take place in Seville, Spain, on February 4. This event is part of an initiative aimed at promoting Cyprus's history, culture, and heritage. The initiative is organized within the framework of Cyprus's Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2026, with support from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Seville.
According to Cyprus News Agency, a series of events are planned for the first week of February 2026, which will include a documentary screening about Varosha, a photography exhibition showcasing Cyprus's flora, an art exhibition, and a gourmet dinner featuring Cypriot cuisine accompanied by Cypriot wines. Invitations have been extended to various dignitaries, including the Ambassador of Cyprus in Spain, the Consul of Cyprus in Seville, the Director of the JRC in Seville, and the EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans.
The aim of these events is to enhance Cyprus's presence in the EU through its history, culture, and heritage. The primary audience includes European employees of the JRC and the residents of Seville, celebrating Cyprus's EU Council Presidency. The events will also feature works by two artists, a photography exhibition on Cyprus's endemic plants, a documentary screening and discussion on Varosha, and offerings of Cypriot food and wine, highlighting Cyprus's historical, cultural, and natural wealth.
Tony Toumazis, the documentary's producer, will attend the events and participate in a panel discussion on Varosha following the screening. The events are scheduled to run from the first week of February 2026 until March 31, 2026.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 due to the Turkish invasion and occupation of its northern third. Varosha, a fenced-off section of the Turkish-occupied town of Famagusta, is often referred to as a 'ghost town'. UN Security Council resolutions 550 (1984) and 789 (1992) call for the transfer of Varosha to UN administration and consideration of its settlement by its original inhabitants.