Cypriot-Australian writer and actor Koraly Dimitriadis has launched a new, year-long online arts festival called “No, I am not washing your dirty plate Arts Festival“, with the first event to be held online on Saturday August 22nd, 2pm Cyprus time. 

The world-first event “Aphrodite speaks: I am not making you your coffee (Οι εν σου κάμνω καφέ)“, will feature Cypriot poets and musicians from around the world, coming together to share their voice on the theme.

Hosted by Koraly Dimitriadis, the festival will include readings by Commonwealth short story prize winner, Constantia Soteriou (CY), and will be accompanied by singer Helen Yiotis Patterson (AUS). Other readers / authors / poets include Maria Petrides (CY), Maria Ioannou (CY), Manuella Mavromichalis (CY), Maria Taylor (UK), Maria Kouvarou (CY), Loukia Borrell (USA), Angela Costi (AUS), Marilena Zackheos (CY), Bahriye Kemal (UK), Helena Spyrou (AUS), Zoe Piponides (CY), Maria Petrides (CY), Ty Tzavrinou (USA) and Ellpetha Tsivicos (USA).

“I created this festival in these uncertain times because I needed somewhere to not only channel my rage of the gender inequality and descrimination that we continue to see, particularly in the diaspora where they are still stuck in the old ways, but also to help with my feelings of isolation. I wanted to reach out, to connect, I am so used to travelling, and in Melbourne where I live we have been in lockdown for much of the pandemic,” Dimitriadis said.

“The media and arts is still very much dominated by men, and they are seen as the Gods, and we are seen as the bad ethnic girls if we speak out, that need to be put in their place. Well, stuff that.”

“No, I am not washing your dirty plate Arts Festival” aims to bring together artists and thinkers, with a focus on the Cypriot, Greek, Italian and other non-Anglo European female and non-binary diaspora, and their supports and allies.

Tickets for “Aphrodite speaks: I am not making you your coffee (Οι εν σου κάμνω καφέ)” can be purchased here. A limited open mic will also be available for the event.

For more information please email [email protected] or follow the festival facebook page for new event announcements.