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The 27th Contemporary Dance Festival concludes with the Finnish production TEMPO

In-Cyprus · 2026-06-11

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• What happened: The 27th Contemporary Dance Festival in Cyprus concluded with the Finnish production TEMPO by Kalle Nio and Fernando Melo, exploring the concept of time through a blend of dance, theatre, and stage illusion. • Why it matters: The festival serves as a significant platform for contemporary choreographic voices, showcasing powerful performances from both international and Cypriot artists, and reinforcing the cultural landscape of Cyprus. • What to watch next: Following the festival's conclusion, audiences can look forward to next year's edition, which promises to continue celebrating innovative dance and performance art.

Events & Activities dancefestivals The 27th Contemporary Dance Festival concludes with the Finnish production TEMPO Tempo By Kalle Nio & Fernando Melo (c) Kalle Nio 2 (1) Relevant News The 27th Contemporary Dance Festival concludes with the Finnish production TEMPO 11 June 2026 World chess body suspends Russia, once the game’s leading power 11 June 2026 Cyprus terror suspect met Hamas operative in Malaysia, confession reveals 11 June 2026 Newsroom 11 June 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The 27th Cyprus Contemporary Dance Festival, presented by the Department of Contemporary Culture of the Deputy Ministry of Culture in collaboration with Rialto Theatre, concludes on Sunday 21 June with TEMPO by Kalle Nio and Fernando Melo from Finland. This year’s edition opened with strong momentum, offering audiences powerful and striking dance experiences by leading creators from the international and Cypriot contemporary dance scenes. The performances presented so far have filled Rialto Theatre with energy, emotion, and creative dialogue, reaffirming once again the Festival’s role as a key meeting point for contemporary choreographic voices from Cyprus and abroad. The curtain falls on the 27th edition with TEMPO, an international co-production that explores the concept of time—its sensation, acceleration, deceleration, and suspension. Through a fusion of dance, theatre, and stage illusion, the performance invites audiences to reflect on how time is experienced and how it shapes our perception of everyday life. TEMPO marks the first collaboration between director, visual artist, and magician Kalle Nio and choreographer Fernando Melo. Based on a text by Harry Salmenniemi, the work weaves together spoken and wordless scenes in which time slows down, reverses, or appears to come to a complete standstill. The music by Samuli Kosminen functions as an integral layer of the stage composition, enhancing the constant shift between the real and the imaginary. Brazilian choreographer Fernando Melo, with a distinguished international career in leading European dance and opera companies, creates choreography that defies gravity and linear perceptions of time. On stage, Slovenian dancer and puppeteer Barbara Kanc, Italian dancer Luigi Sardone, and Swedish dancer-acrobat Winston Reynolds move within a space between dance, theatre, and acrobatics, producing images that stretch the boundaries of the possible. Kalle Nio is regarded as one of the most significant figures of the contemporary Finnish scene, known for his unique ability to combine visual theatre, film, contemporary circus, and magic. Through his work and the company WHS, he has presented productions in more than 200 theatres across over 40 countries worldwide. After the performance, at 21:30, audiences are invited to the Rialto Theatre’s outdoor bar for the CCDF closing party, featuring music by DJ D-Prank. A festive evening marking the conclusion of the 27th edition, bringing together audiences, artists, and collaborators for one final summer gathering before we meet again next year. Credits: Concept: Nio, Melo & Salmenniemi Direction: Kalle Nio Choreography: Fernando Melo Text: Harry Salmenniemi Performers: Barbara Kanc, Winston Reynolds, Luigi Sardone, Iiro Näkki Music & Sound design: Samuli Kosminen Costume design: Georgina Spencer Lighting design: Johannes Hallikas Stage manager / Rigger: Hedda Liukkala Head of lighting: June Horton-White Tour technician: Emilie Largier Tour booking & Management: Yellow Everything Photography & Trailer: Kalle Nio Production: WHS / Kalle Nio Co-production: Helsinki Festival, Lutkovno Gledališče Ljubljana, Slovenia Supported by: Alfred Kordelin Foundation, Saastamoinen Foundation Website: https://www.yelloweverything.com/tempo / https://kallenio.com/tempo Duration: 60′ Age restriction: 8+ The Festival program continues with the following performances, all starting at 20:30: 10 June | Rialto TheaterSIRENS – Ermira Goro (Greece) 13 June | Rialto Theater 15 Ιουνίου | Nicosia Municipal Theater ODE – Elena Antoniou (Cyprus) 18 June | Rialto TheaterTHE DOG DAYS ARE OVER 2.0 – Jan Martens (Belgium) 21 June | Rialto TheaterTEMPO – Kalle Nio & Fernando Melo (Finland) Organised by: Deputy Ministry of Culture and Rialto Theatre In collaboration with: Limassol Municipality Media Sponsors:Ο Φιλελεύθερος, ΡΙΚ, Vestnik Kipra, Russian Radio, Lenta, Radio Monte Carlo Technical Partner: Eventpro Venue Partner: Nicosia Municipal Theatre Hospitality Sponsor: Alinea Hotel Supported by: Εφημερίδα Λεμεσός, Check In, CITY, Limassol Today, Cyprus Butterfly, Cyprus News, Limassol Tourism Board Information: Ticket Price: €10 per performance. E-tickets: https://rialto.interticket.com/programseries/ccdf27-20Box Office: 77 77 77 45 (Monday–Friday, 10:00–15:00) *Free admission for pupils, students, soldiers, pensioners, people with disabilities, and dance professionals. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News World chess body suspends Russia, once the game’s leading power Cyprus terror suspect met Hamas operative in Malaysia, confession reveals UK defence minister Healey quits, says PM Starmer’s plans fail to keep country safe Alcohol drinking will shrink in the next decade, research finds Further fuel price cuts expected as refinery costs fall, official says Four suspects in extortion and organised crime case appear in court Luka Šulić: “I treat my cello as a human being” Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.

Source: In-Cyprus
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