Dramatic Reading: ‘The Other Era’ / Parallel activity within the framework of the temporary exhibition Sector 2: Nicosia

19.05.2026 / 20.00 / House of Cyprus

On the occasion of the presentation of the parallel exhibition Sector 2: Nicosia in Athens as part of the Cultural Programme of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026, the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia and the House of Cyprus in Athens are organising a dramatic reading. The event is based on
The Other Era, an autobiographical narrative by Magda Kitromilidou, adapted and directed by her granddaughter, Magdalena Zira, shedding light on a distinct
aspect of Greek and Cypriot history.

April 1941. A group of Cypriot students finds itself stranded in Athens during the German invasion, unable to return home or communicate with their families. Amid the turmoil of World War II, these young people attempt to resist fascism while also experiencing the formative events of their lives: love, loss, betrayal and confrontation with history itself.

At the centre of the narrative are Magda, her sister, Angeliki, and Mikis, later Magda’s partner. These three characters, seeking their path in a turbulent era, become witnesses to events that shaped not only Greece, but the world. Through their perspective, Athens from 1941 to 1945 comes to life in striking contrasts: moments of lost beauty coexist with profound pain and hardship.

Magda Kitromilidou’s testimony gains striking contemporary relevance today. The erosion of democratic values re-emerges as a threat, making the work a powerful human and political reminder: freedom and dignity are safeguarded only when injustice is not ignored.

This is a compelling text that combines historical accuracy, tenderness, humour and lyricism, inviting the audience to reflect, through a personal narrative, on collective memory. Three actors portray multiple characters, while Antonis Antoniou’s soundscapes transport the audience across different places and times.

Credits
Adaptation, dramaturgy and stage direction: Magdalena Zira
Music: Antonis Antoniou
Lighting design: Vasilis Peteinaris
Set design and poster design: Giorgos Tsangaris
Production coordination: Maria Pisiili
Cast: Naya Anastasadou, Maria Masonou, Loukas Prokopiou