Nicosia, Cyprus

08.03.21-22.03.21

Clothes were hung from the ceiling, moving slowly by the soft wind, marking what was once life. Our installation opened to the public in Cypus by the presence of the president of the house of Representatives Annita Demetriou. The exhibition was sponsored by the Embassy of Israel and SPAVO the organization for the prevention of domestic violence, and hosted by Aigaia School of Art & Design.

Katerina Charalambous’s clothes were hanged along with the Israeli women's garments.She was 19 at the time of her death and left behind 2 small children.

She chose the wrong partner, and it cost her her life.

On stage a lullaby in Greek is performed by a Greek woman. Her vocal cords tremble. Katrina's sisters were crying, missing her so much.

It's the kind of moments we could not have imagined when we set out on this long and difficult journey.

Numerous guests have visited the exhibition, including organised groups of students and soldiers.
In a workshop we conducted, we shared the story of the project, discussed gender-based violence, activism, and the power of art to touch hearts and perpetuate inner processes.

 
 
 

Katerina’s Sister’s Speech

My sisters and I came here tonight to honor the memory of our sister Katerina, but also every woman who has faced difficulties with bravery and tolerance. Who has confronted her problems through her smile, who has hidden her worries, who is indeed a strong woman like our Katerina. We could talk for hours about our Katerina, about the greatness of her soul, her kindness, her innocence.

We are four sisters, our Katerina was the youngest one, only 18 years old. From a young age we used to called her Nina. Our little Nina. She liked dancing and artistic gymnastics. She was very sapple talented.

Lately, she had been dancing belly dance, which she very much liked.

Despite her young age, God gave her two beautiful children. Katerina wanted us to think that she was a powerful woman but in fact she was very vulnerable. Her innocence made her believe very easily in the words of others. She wouldn’t talk to us about the problems she was facing, she’d rather hide them. The last few years have been very difficult and she have suffered a lot from some manipulative and toxic people. She was the victim of various types of violence; psychological, physical, verbal. She was very much abused and tortured. And then, when she started dreaming again about her life, her future, raising her children, finishing school, studying architecture, continue dancing, her wings were cut off.

They cut the thread of her life and she could not make her dreams come true and raise her children as

she wished.

She left and did not manage to tell us what was tormenting her, she left and left us her two angels.

What can we tell them? How can we explain this injustice to them, without her, how will we learn to live? As a family we believe that we would not have faced this tragic event if there had been a proper treatment by the competent authorities. We did everything in our power to have our concerns that Katerina is in danger, taken into consideration. Unfortunately these concerns were confirmed in one way or another and, now our Katerina is not with us.

She left early and left an unfilled gap in our family, especially for her children. She lost her life unexpectedly and unjustly. However, she will not be forgotten. We will never forget her. We live as if she is here. But none of us can fill the gap of MAMA for her children. It’s sad for a child to grow up without his/her mama.

No one has the right to deprive a child his/her mother. Unfortunately, such people do exist. We miss her very much, but we will always remember her and love her, she will always be here. We will always be four daughters for our parents. We will always be four sisters. She will always be the mother of her children. She will always have its own special place in our family.

Finally, we shall know that the real death of our loved one is when she dies in our thoughts. Then the dream will redress the injustice.

 
 
 

Performed by Ms. Irene Andronikou
Live performance of the Cypriot lullaby which was added to the She’s gone soundtrack.

A walk through the installation

 
 

Press

 
 
 
 

Cypriot Lullaby

Agia Marina – Saint Marina

Performed by Ms. Irene Andronikou

The Cypriot tradition exudes great respect for Saint Marina who is considered the protector of young children and of children having health problems.

The Cypriot lullaby Lady Saint Marina (whose edition is estimated circa 1932) has emerged from the folklore art. It symbolically depicts the tradition story during which the mother lays her little baby in the arms of Morpheus to sleep.

According to Greek mythology, Morpheus was one of the thousand sons of Somnus in Latin, or Hupnos in Greek, (the personification of Sleep) appearing in people's dreams in human guise.

Through this song the mother call for Saint Marina to protect their children during their sleep and for them to dream of her while sleeping in the arms of Morpheus.

In addition, this lullaby is considered by the folklore tradition as a medium in bringing a sweet, graceful and gentle sleep as well as a refreshed morning.

By singing this song the mother prays to Saint Marina to bring her child back from sleep and to protect it while growing up (because of the high infant mortality rate that existed back in the time).

 
 
NicosiaAdi Levy