Rep. of Cyprus Celebrates 50 Years

The Republic of Cyprus celebrates 50 years since its establishment in 1960, and plans a number of events on the island and abroad, said the government today.

Artistic director Andy Parzilis will undertake the programme after being chosen through a tender process. The major event will be held on october 1st, 2010 and there will also be more events in selected capitals abroad.

Andy Partzilis was born in Famagusta and studied stage design and costume design in Prague. He attended seminars and other programs on the Arts and the Theater in the U.S., UK, Germany and elsewhere.

He is a member of the International Scenographers, Theater Architects and Technicians (OISTAT) and founder and President of the Cyprus Center of OISTAT. He was a member of the Board of the European Theater Meeting (ETC) and Director of THOK for 13 years. He was founder and first artistic director of Theater SKALA and was the first to introduce the technique of black theater in Cyprus.

He has designed scenery, costumes and posters for over 100 theater productions, opera, ballet, film and television in Cyprus, Greece and Germany.

In 2001 he received the Award for Theatrical skinografiki excellent work during the period 1999-2001 and the 2009 special prize for stage design at the 5th Festival of Short Films and Documentaries in Cyprus.