We are delighted to invite you to "SESAM Identity 2.0", the Small European Student Architecture Meeting (SESAM), hosted by EASA Cyprus from 1st to 10th of March 2025 in the old historical centre of Nicosia, Cyprus.
This extraordinary event brings together 150 participants, including architecture students, young professionals, and creatives from various disciplines, to explore the concept of "Identity" through a series of 12 interdisciplinary workshops. These workshops, span from construction, theoretical, to artistic. They aim to produce tangible and intangible results such as pavilions, art installations, urban equipment, and performances, all of which are site-specific and rooted in the rich cultural and historical context of Nicosia.
Why "Identity"?
The theme of "Identity" resonates deeply with the Cypriot context, offering a lens to examine the unique cultural character of the island and engage in dialogue with the broader European community. Nicosia, as the last divided capital in Europe, is a city where layers of history, culture, and collective memory intertwine.
The old city of Nicosia, enclosed by its 16th-century Venetian Walls, provides an unparalleled backdrop for SESAM Identity 2.0. Within these walls lies a fascinating architectural tapestry that tells the story of centuries of coexistence and conflict. Walking through the city, one encounters the legacies of the Ottoman period, the remnants of the Crusader and Venetian eras, the architectural language of British colonial period characterized by neoclassical public buildings, and the distinctive Cypriot modernist movement.
Today, the city is home to two main ethnic communities, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, who share a common history but have lived divided since the events of 1974. This division is most visible in the Buffer Zone, a no-man's-land patrolled by the United Nations that cuts through the heart of the city. The Buffer Zone, frozen in time, contains abandoned buildings, overgrown streets, and echoes of the past, making it a poignant space for reflection on spatial identity, in both individual and collective way. Despite these divides, Nicosia's old city retains a unique vibrancy. This complexity offers a rich framework for investigating how identity is expressed, negotiated, and transformed through architecture and urban spaces.
A Unique Learning Experience
Through workshops, lectures, and collaborative discussions, "SESAM Identity 2.0" aims to investigate identity using four distinct pillars:
· Processes + Rituals: We delve into how everyday practices—both personal and collective—shape and express identity.
· Representation: Architecture and urban spaces often reflect who is represented and who is excluded. By critically exploring monuments, media, and cultural narratives, we question the role of representation in shaping identity.
· Memory: Memory is fluid and personal, yet deeply intertwined with urban spaces. Our workshops will explore how individual and collective memories shape and inscribe themselves in the built environment.
· Phenomenology: Through lived experiences, we investigate how sensory perceptions of space influence personal and collective identities, examining the intricate relationship between body, mind, and the built environment.
EASA's non-institutionalized and collaborative approach to education fosters experimentation and creativity. "SESAM Identity 2.0" provides participants with the opportunity to explore alternative pedagogies in architecture and urban design while working within a supportive and diverse community. This gathering is more than just an event — it's a platform for collaboration, discovery, and growth.
Since 2024, EASA CY is an association and a registered non-governmental organization (NGO). It functions as the local representative with the pan-European EASA network. Its main goals are to strengthen the international presentation of students and young practitioners that live in Cyprus, but also to encourage more architectural happenings to take place around the island of Cyprus, expanding the research and practices of the built environments.
For over 40 years, EASA (European Architecture Student Assembly) has brought together young architects, designers, and artists to engage in critical conversations about architecture and its role in society. At SESAM Identity 2.0, we continue this tradition, expanding the dialogue to address issues of identity, representation, and memory in the heart of Nicosia.
Join Us!
If you are in Nicosia during the event, we warmly invite you to witness the workshops in action and see the remarkable results produced by the community. This is a rare opportunity to engage with site-specific practices and innovative approaches to architecture, making connections between identity and the built environment.
For more information, such as the location of the workshops, follow us on our social media platforms and subscribe to our newsletter. Let's build a dialogue about identity together at "SESAM Identity 2.0" !
Website: https://www.easacyprus.org
Name of the event: "SESAM Identity 2.0"
Main theme: Identity
When: 1st - 10th of March 2025
Where: Old historical centre of Nicosia, Cyprus
Number of participants: around 150
Number of workshops: 12
We look forward to welcoming you to SESAM Identity 2.0 in Nicosia!
Title
SESAM Identity 2.0: A Unique Architectural Gathering in Nicosia, CyprusType
WorkshopWebsite
Organizers
From
March 01, 2025 09:00 AMUntil
March 10, 2025 08:00 PMVenue
Historical city centre of Nicosia, CyprusAddress