Larnaka, Cyprus – 5 February 2026
On 5 February, the Youth Makerspace in Larnaka filled with voices that are not always heard loudly enough – voices of courage, resilience and transformation.
The HERS Festival – Her Story, Our Story, organised by InnoEUsphere and supported by Larnaka2030, brought together migrant women, artists and members of the local community in a powerful gathering dedicated to storytelling as a tool for visibility, connection and empowerment.
At the heart of the festival was a live storytelling session where migrant women shared deeply personal narratives shaped by migration journeys, identity, belonging, motherhood, professional transitions and the search for new beginnings in Cyprus.
These were not abstract conversations about integration. They were real lives, real emotions and real experiences – shared with honesty, vulnerability and remarkable strength.
“Every story was very different and at the same time very similar,” one participant reflected after the event.
Through interactive workshops and artistic expression, storytelling became more than narration. It became a dialogue – a space where listeners and storytellers connected through shared emotions and human experiences that transcend borders, cultures and languages.
The festival created a safe and inclusive environment where women stepped forward not as beneficiaries of support, but as storytellers, creators and active contributors to cultural life.
Local artists, including Hera Heracleous, Katerina Stavrou, Monica Meleki and Leda Solomonidou and cultural professionals joined the event not simply as spectators, but as engaged participants in the exchange. Conversations continued during breaks, new connections were formed, and ideas for future collaborations began to emerge.
A simple comment from one attendee captured the spirit of the day:
“Sharing is caring.”
Behind these few words lay the deeper meaning of the festival: when stories are shared, empathy grows, communities connect, and invisible experiences become visible.
The HERS – Her Story, Our Story project is funded by the European Union and focuses on empowering migrant women to safeguard and showcase their intangible cultural heritage through collaboration, storytelling, and innovation.
Visit HERS project page here
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).
