Spaces of Reconciliation: Youth Interaction through Art in the City

​A new film by Mete Hatay (PRIO Cyprus Centre) and Orhan Eskiköy (independent director). This documentary follows groups of artists in Cyprus as they negotiate space within a divided city and find spaces for interaction and cooperation. 

For 29 years, Cypriots were unable to cross the ceasefire line that divides their island. While for many Cypriots this lack of mobility began in 1974, the capital of Nicosia has been divided even longer, since intercommunal conflict first exploded in 1956. With the opening of the first checkpoints in 2003, there were immediate hopes of reunification that were then dashed when Greek Cypriots defeated a peace plan at referendum in 2004. Nevertheless, Cypriots continued to cross the line, visiting former homes, developing friendships, engaging in trade, forming business and artistic partnerships, and simply getting to know each other. This interaction only increased with the 2007 opening of the checkpoint dividing Nicosia's Ledra Street, historically a center for trade in the city.