Bringing Bloomsday to Cyprus
Speaking to Cypriot literary group Ideogramma
"James Joyce is arguably among the most influential writers of the 20th century. Lily always wanted to bring a Bloomsday celebration to Cyprus"
Bloomsday is a global commemoration of Irish writer James Joyce. Named after Leopold Bloom, the main protagonist of Joyce’s novel “Ulysses”, Bloomsday takes place annually on 16 June, the same day in which the novel is set in 1904.
Celebrations, recreations and theatrical productions take place across the world each year. Cyprus-based group Ideogramma set up the very first Bloomsday Festival in Cyprus in 2022.
A wonderful success which is now on its third iteration, we spoke with the Festival founders, poet Lily Michailides and cultural events manager Nora Hadjisoteriou, to learn more about their inspiration and interest in all things Joycean.
How long have you been working together and what inspired you to establish Ideogramma?
Nora: "We were friends long before we started Ideogramma. Lily is an accomplished poet and writer and I have long been involved in the management of cultural events. We held our very first event together, a literary meeting in 2006."
Your organisation is dedicated to promoting international writers and poets through events such as the Literary Festival and Poetry slam. How does the Cypriot audience respond to these events and how do they contribute to the local literary scene?
Lily: "We believe that the interaction of writers, whether local or from abroad, with the audience in Cyprus opens up avenues to one’s spirit and soul. We see and feel this every time we host an event. For Cypriot poets and writers, it is an opportunity to meet, share and perhaps collaborate with the guests from abroad, providing them an impetus for new creations."
It is no secret that Ireland holds a special place in your heart. Where does this interest for Ireland come from?
Lily: "Ireland! It is a country with great and varied writers, a long history and rich in tradition."
Nora: "It is unthinkable that we would not include one or more Irish poets and / or writers in our guest lists with contemporary literary personalities from abroad."
Ireland and Cyprus are two island nations with rich histories and cultures. Ireland’s geography, myths and traditions inspired many authors. Do you believe Cyprus as a country can provide a similar form of inspiration for writers and poets?
Nora: "Of course, Cyprus can and does offer inspiration to Irish poets and writers. Pat Boran, an Irish poet, hosted at our literary festival in 2017, has written an entire collection of poems, inspired by the historical artifacts of the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia, others like Jessica Traynor, Kathreen McDonald, Theo Dorgan, just to name a few, have included Cyprus and its history in their poems."
Tell us about your involvement with Bloomsday and your collaboration with the Embassy of Ireland. How did this relationship start and how has the festival evolved over the years?
Nora: "James Joyce is arguably among the most influential writers of the 20th century. Lily always wanted to bring a Bloomsday celebration to Cyprus. Back in the day, when an Irish pub in Nicosia was still in operation, she imagined that a Bloomsday event would be held there!"
Lily: "The Embassy has been a steadfast supporter of cultural issues, and partnered with us to establish the Cyprus Bloomsday Festival. The first celebration in 2022 marked the 100th anniversary from the publication of Joyce’s book Ulysses."
How would you describe your reading experience of Ulysses and what advice would you offer to someone who is interested in reading it?
Lily: "I started reading Joyce's Ulysses a few times in the past. I would reach page 250 – 300 and stop.
Every chapter of this book is a book in itself. The information is endless, the details meticulous - almost annoying - and the language is easy in some places, in others difficult.
In some passages he uses the demotic, everyday speech of the time and then in other instances he uses older, less common styles of language.
However, in 2022, in view of the first celebration, I had to sit down and read it all. And what a pleasure it was! I enjoyed reading it, and even read some chapters twice.
Ultimately, one should push oneself to read this book, to understand how important it is and how much inspirations it offers."
What is your favourite Ulysses quote and why?
Lily: "Can't bring back time. Like holding water in your hand." Every second, minute, hour, time does not stay still, it passes, it is never the same and neither are we the same and we cannot go back in time. It is akin to what the Greek philosopher Heraclitus said; no one walks in the same river twice, because the river is never the same and neither is the man.
Who are your favourite Irish authors other than Joyce?
Lily: "There are too many to mention! The poets that I like the most are Michael Longley, Samuel Beckett and Paul Muldoon as well as poet and playwright Oscar Wilde."
Who are your favourite Cypriot authors?
Both: "There are so many to choose from and distinguish. We really do not want to leave anyone behind but some of our favourite Cypriot writers who also published in English are Louiza Papalouizou and Nasia Dionysiou. In terms of poets, we are fond of the work of Erina Charalambous, Avgi Lilli, Michael Papadopoullos and Panayiotis Nicolaides."
The third Cyprus Bloomsday Festival is taking place throughout Cyprus from 14-16 June 2024. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend. For more information, visit the Embassy's Eventbrite.
Established in 2006, Ideogramma is a non-profit cultural organisation dedicated to the promotion of literature and the use of language. Ideogramma launched the ‘International Literary Festival to the sea-girt shores of Cyprus’ in 2013, the International Festival for Young Poets @ the First Step in 2014, and the International Poetry Slam Cyprus in 2017.