Limassol Photography Festival Athlos Celebrates Sports

Athlos: Capturing the Olympic Spirit through the Lens

As the city of Limassol buzzes with anticipation, the Limassol Photography Festival (LPF) gears up for its second edition, this time paying homage to the world of sports. With the title Athlos, the festival is set to commence this Thursday and will continue to captivate audiences until May 7.

In alignment with the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024, LPF has chosen to highlight the intrinsic values, beauty, and significance of sports. The festival aims to encapsulate the Olympic Spirit and invites spectators to embark on a visual odyssey exploring the enchanting realm of sports photography, featuring works from acclaimed photographers and artists.

With seven parallel exhibitions, primarily located outdoors, LPF is showcasing sports in all its glory. A total of 28 local and international photographers will exhibit their work, ranging from dynamic shots of various sports and world competitions to intimate portraits of distinguished athletes.

The festival’s recognition as part of the Cultural Olympiad for 2024 by the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Organising Committee further accentuates its commitment to fostering the connection between art and sport, celebrating themes such as excellence, integration, cultural diversity, and universality.

Cyprus on the move, a collection by Andreas Iacovou, is among the many captivating exhibitions. The festival presents a stunning array of images that are not only original and iconic but also artistic. These photographs capture moments from both well-known and obscure sports, taken during significant national and international sporting events.

Artistic director Stefanos Kouratzis expresses his vision for Athlos: “It takes you beyond the finish line, within the frame, delving into the raw emotions, the steadfast determination, and the narratives that unfold in the sports arena.” Kouratzis emphasizes the profound impact of sports photography, noting its pivotal role in challenging the medium and pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling.

The outdoor exhibitions will be set up at key locations such as Molos, the Old Port, Syntagma Square, and Caffe Nero at Molos, with an indoor showcase at Exhibit8 Gallery. The roster of participating artists includes renowned names such as Selene Alexia, Paris J Andreou, Alexis Berg, and many others.

Action in Motion by Yiannis Kourtoglou is another highlight of the festival’s diverse offerings. Additionally, LPF’s programme features a series of conferences and talks. Notably, on April 20, the conference Athlos Lens, Contemporary Vision will take place at Tepak with four invited speakers. Following this, on April 24, a conference titled Olympic Games, Aspects and Manifestations through time, Life experiences will be held at Laniteio Theatre with three speakers sharing their insights.

The event will also honor some of Cyprus’s most iconic athletes and include personal testimonies from figures in Cypriot sports. For more information about the festival’s schedule and exhibitions, visit www.liphofe.com.