EAST CYPRUS MUSIC MEETINGS
East Cyprus Music Meetings: a series of free music industry discussions and workshops inviting music
communities from across the island
A new initiative dedicated to learning, exchanging knowledge and nurturing connections in Cyprus' music ecosystem launches this autumn in the island’s eastern region (Larnaca and Famagusta): East Cyprus Music Meetings. The initiative brings musicians, songwriters, producers, concert promoters and other music professionals together in Famagusta and Larnaca for a series of workshops and discussions on navigating Cyprus’ music industry.
Powered by Windcraft Loud in collaboration with SCALA Music & Sound Hub and Cyprus Mixtape, East Cyprus Music Meetings is led by Cemre Arca, artist, educator, event curator, and founder of Cyprus Mixtape, an initiative connecting and empowering Cypriot musicians; and Maria Kaimaklioti, cultural producer and founder of SCALA Music & Sound Hub, which supports the development and competitiveness of Cyprus' music ecosystem. Drawing on their complementary experience in artist development, cultural production and community-building, they have designed a programme that creates opportunities for learning, networking and exchange across Cyprus’ music sector. The initiative was selected through the Technical Committee on Culture’s open call activity supporting artistic collaboration and exchange between the two communities of the island, facilitated by the UN Good Offices Mission in Cyprus, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme and funded by the European Union.
Held in October and November 2026, East Cyprus Music Meetings celebrates the musical life that communities across Cyprus nourish and mutually depend on, welcoming attendees to gather in the east of the island. The programme brings them together to exchange knowledge and share insight side by side, building the shared professional and cultural ground that a resilient Cypriot music scene depends on. Led by local and international practitioners, its conversations turn their attention not to how music is performed or written, but to the practical and often invisible structures of the music industry: releasing a record, navigating funding, export and showcases, reaching audiences across and beyond the island, and empowering women in the music industry, as well as the needs and future of the island’s music community.
Following each session, attendees and the public are invited into open stages and jam sessions, and to browse through artist merchandise, before the programme’s closing event in Pyla/Pile that reflects on the island's music scenes and the stories of how Cypriots come to their music.
Programme
Sunday 18 October 2026 | Opening Event: Music Meeting
18:00–23:30 | Mağusa Kale Pasajı, Famagusta
Networking, jam session & merchandise market
Sunday 25 October 2026 | Music Copyright Explained
11:30–13:00 | EVOHK artist-run space, Larnaca
An overview of how music copyright works around the world and how music rights make money, plus what artists and songwriters need to do to ensure the rights in their songs and recordings are protected.
With Chris Cooke (CMU, UK).
Sunday 25 October 2026 | Jazz & Folk-Fusion Music Routes
15:00–16:30 | EVOHK artist-run space, Larnaca
Entering the jazz and “world music” scene, showcases and festivals, and navigating PR.
With Cemre Arca (Artist; Educator; Cyprus Mixtape, Cyprus), Maria Kaimaklioti (SCALA Music & Sound Hub, Cyprus) Nela Peshovska (Password Production, North Macedonia), and Ziad Fayed (AL.Berlin; Beirut & Beyond Festival, Germany/Lebanon).
Sunday 25 October 2026 | Lefkosia Modular Sessions: Modular Synthesis & Performance
17:30–20:00 | EVOHK artist-run space, Larnaca
A hands-on exploration of sound design and hardware synthesis, covering the fundamentals of subtractive synthesis, Eurorack architecture, digital DSP engines, and integrating modular setups into live performances - featuring a live patch-from-scratch demonstration.
With Atesh Kozal (Guru Gara Synth) and Hadj (Play All Day).
20:00–23:30 | Jam session & merchandise market
Sunday 8 November | Funding for Artists
15:45–18:00 | Mağusa Kale Pasajı, Famagusta
Where to find funding for artistic projects, breaking down applications and how to target the right opportunities.
With Maria Kaimaklioti (SCALA Music & Sound Hub, Cyprus) and Ziad Fayed (AL.Berlin; Beirut & Beyond Festival, Germany/Lebanon)
Sunday 8 November 2026 | Five Ways to Release Music
18:30–21:00 | Mağusa Kale Pasajı, Famagusta
From weekly singles to six-month album campaigns, a workshop by Henry Walton looking at how real artists actually get heard, and which approach fits you. Afterwards, Cypriot artists and cultural practitioners will share their experience of taking music around Cyprus and beyond.
With Henry Walton (artist and artist manager), Cahit Kutrafali, Kyriacos Frangoulis (Stonus), Maria Kaimaklioti (SCALA Music & Sound Hub), and Sevgi Başar.
21:00–23:30 | Jam session & merchandise market
Sunday 22 November | Women in the Music Industry
18:30–21:00 | EVOHK artist-run space, Larnaca
A hands-on workshop on PR and press releases by Christina Hazboun, followed by panel discussion on empowering women in Cyprus's music industry, navigating studio and live spaces, and building creative confidence in a small scene.
With Cemre Arca (Artist; Educator; Cyprus Mixtape, Cyprus), Christina Hazboun (The Sonic Agent, UK/Palestine), and Mikaela Tsangari (Elbow Room Studios, Cyprus).
21:00–23:30 | Jam session & merchandise market
Saturday 28 November | Closing Event: Growing Up in Cyprus’ Recent Music Scenes
18:30-23:00 | UNFICYP Intercommunal Space, Pyla
Celebrating the close of the programme, with an exhibition reflecting on living with music in Cyprus, and panel discussion on the island's music scenes.
Archive research & curatorial selection by Christiana Michaelidou (Nana). Panel discussion moderated by Mike Hajimichael (Haji Mike) with artists Inal Bilsel, Hayat Sebep and Tasos Lamnisos (x.ypno).
At its core, East Cyprus Music Meetings is a convergence between artists and audiences and the music scenes they compose across this island, and an effort to grow a more interconnected, more sustainable future for Cypriot music, shaped by the island’s music ecosystem itself.
Information
Free admission.
Registration for each workshop is required.
Car-sharing is available on a first-come, first-served basis via the registration form.
The workshops and talks will be held in English.
More information & registrations here: https://linktr.ee/EastCyprusMusicMeetings
No registration is required for the Closing Event, jam sessions and open stages.
Contact
For more information on East Cyprus Music Meetings contact:
The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme or the Good Offices Mission in Cyprus.
This is an activity of the Technical Committee on Culture, powered by Windcraft Loud in collaboration with SCALA Music & Sound Hub and Cyprus Mixtape, facilitated by the UN Good Offices Mission in Cyprus, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme and funded by the European Union.
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