“THE RITE OF NO RETURN” by Olga Markari

The rising Cypriot choreographer Olga Markari presents her contemporary choreography “The Rite of No Return”, inspired by Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. The performance will take place on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre (20:30), as part of the #Under30 programme of the Nicosia International Festival 2025.
 
From rebirth to collapse
 
In the framework of introducing emerging Cypriot artists to the audience, Olga Markari reinterprets this piece of art through her own fresh and modern perspective. With “The Rite of No Return”, she delves into the fragile relationship between human and nature, capturing its destructive dimension and the urgent call for change. In 2024, the Nicosia International Festival presented the legendary “Rite of Spring” by Pina Bausch; this year, it returns with a bold, original proposal which that enters into creative dialogue with that iconic work.

While Stravinsky spoke of sacrifice as a path to rebirth, the choreographer turns her gaze to the modern reality, where the sacrifice and exploitation of nature perpetuate an unending cycle of devastation. At the heart of her work, lies a duet that embodies the delicate, almost suffocating balance between humans and the environment – a balance on the verge of collapse.

A call for collective action
With contemporary movement, theatricality, and strong musicality, “The Rite of No Return” becomes a cry for awakening – an appeal for environmental awareness and collective action. The choreographer challenges the audience to be wake up, to recognise responsibility and to act. Through intense physicality, theatrical elements and evocative music, this work takes us from the harmony of coexisting with nature to the chaos caused by human indifference. “The Rite of No Return” leaves no room for a neutral stance: it is a cry for environmental awareness and collective accountability.
 
A production with an international scope
Olga is an emerging creator with an international trajectory, who collaborates with dancers from Cyprus and abroad, and brings to the stage a multicultural dialogue that enhances the production’s international character. The concept of her choreography extends into the set design as well. We will see recycled materials merging with dance as a contemporary response to the need for sustainable artistic creation, shaped through the set and costume design vision of Mariandrie Chrysostomou.

Who is Olga Markari?
Olga Markari is a dancer and choreographer. Despite her young age, she has already built an international career. She studied dance at Rudra Béjart School and Maria de Ávila Conservatory in Madrid. She has collaborated with renowned companies such as Béjart Ballet Lausanne, DDJDD, Wroclaw Ballet, and Opera Nova in Poland, where she rose to the rank of soloist. Since 2023, she has been working as a freelancer. Olga is a certified dance teacher (RAD) and yoga instructor, while also pursuing a Master’s degree in Cultural Policy and Development. Her works have been presented both in Cyprus and abroad, focusing on intercultural collaboration and social awareness through art.

Credits
Choreographer/ dancer: Olga Markari
Set & costume design: Mariandrie Chrysostomou
Dancer: Stefano Pietragalla
Music: Arkadiusz Peplinksi
 
Duration: 40΄
Age group: Suitable for all ages
 
* The performance includes strobe lighting.
 
Tickets:
Available online via more.com: http://bit.ly/4grNxB8 and the Nicosia Municipal Theatre box office (Monday - Friday 10:00-13:00).
 
Ticket prices:
 
VIP: €14/ €16
ZONE A: €12/ €14
ZONE B: €10/ €12
ZONE C: €10
ZONE D: €10
 
Reduced tickets are valid for: Children, students, soldiers, pensioners, large families, unemployed, actors, people with disabilities (free) with presentation of relevant ID.
 
Information: 22797979 (Monday - Friday 10:00-13:00) & & http://bit.ly/3VjZ0ZG
 
Festival identity
Organisers: Nicosia Municipality, Nicosia For Art
Festival sponsors: OPAP Cyprus, ALTIA, more.com, more.com, Cyprus Public Transport
Supporters: Travelhouse, UCLan Cyprus, WINECORE, Gate Twenty Two Boutique Hotel, Classic Hotel Nicosia
Media sponsors: DIAS Publishing & SIGMA TV, LOVE FM 100.7, and “KATHIMERINH” newspaper