EU-CONEXUS Festival
From May 13-15, 2025, the 4th edition of EU-CONEXUS Festival was held in Limassol, Cyprus, hosted by Frederick University. This 3-day event celebrated arts and culture, showcasing works by students from the nine partner universities of the EU-CONEXUS Alliance. In addition, workshops, concerts, sports activities and art performances were held throughout the event.
EU-CONEXUS Festival celebrates our Alliance, fosters cultural connections and explores the theme of coastal sustainability at all levels with a focus, for this 4th edition, on the complex dynamics of the Mediterranean Sea and its sustainable future.
EU-CONEXUS Festival 2025 | Highlights
The waves of creativity, culture, and connection came alive at the 4th EU-CONEXUS Festival in Limassol
The Performances and Arts Exhibition
On the festival’s first day, an open-air exhibition of student artworks will be inaugurated at Limassol’s largest seaside park, known as Molos. The works are the result of an open call, inviting students to reflect on the Mediterranean’s role as a homeland, a refuge, a tourist destination, a welcoming or unwelcoming shore.
The Workshops
Throughout the festival, participants will have the opportunity to engage in creative workshops designed to explore urban life, coastal transitions, and sustainable design.
These hands-on experiences involve walking tours, photography, and reimagining materials to create new and creative products.
The Sports
Sports Activities at the beach
The festival offers sports activities at the Limassol coast, including SUP, kayaking, dragon boat races, and an underwater adventure at the ancient port of Amathus – Cyprus’ first underwater archaeological park.
EU-CONEXUS Festival 2025
Hosted by Frederick University
13 – 15 May 2025
Limassol, Cyprus
Frederick University proudly hosts the EU-CONEXUS Festival 2025 in Limassol, Cyprus, from 13 to 15 May. This unique celebration of art, culture, and sustainability brings together students and staff from the nine partner universities of the EU-CONEXUS Alliance, under the theme: “Welcome to the Hotel Mediterranean.”
The three-day event will showcase works by students from the nine partner universities in the fields of visual arts, performing arts, music and poetry. In addition, workshops, sports activities and art performances will be held throughout the festival.
The EU-CONEXUS Festival 2025 offers a unique space to connect, create, and engage with critical issues facing our coastal environments and communities.
Join us to discover the dynamics of the Mediterranean Sea and envision its sustainable future.
A Festival of cultural exchange and exploration
This year’s festival invites participants to reflect on the rich yet complex identity of the Mediterranean. Through performances, workshops, exhibitions, and discussions, students and guests will explore the Mediterranean’s role as both a welcoming and challenging place, deeply intertwined with the concept of Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability (SmUCS).
What to expect
The festival’s Opening Ceremony will be held on 13 May at Frederick University, Limassol, offering a welcoming introduction and setting the stage for the cultural journey ahead.
On the festival’s first day, an open-air exhibition of student artworks will be inaugurated at Limassol’s largest seaside park, known as Molos. The works are the result of an open call, inviting students to reflect on the Mediterranean’s role as a homeland, a refuge, a tourist destination, a welcoming or unwelcoming shore.
Exploring spaces and materials through workshops
Throughout the festival, participants will have the opportunity to engage in creative workshops designed to explore urban life, coastal transitions, and sustainable design. These hands-on experiences involve walking tours, photography, and reimagining materials to create new and creative products.
Sports Activities at the beach
The festival offers sports activities at the Limassol coast, including SUP, kayaking, dragon boat races, and an underwater adventure at the ancient port of Amathus – Cyprus’ first underwater archaeological park.
Theatre Performance on 14 May
A powerful theatre production at the Molos Amphitheatre brings to life real stories of displacement, inspired by the experiences of Frederick University graduates. The performance explores themes of migration, identity, and resilience.
Closing Party on 15 May
The festival will wrap up with music, dance, and community spirit by the sea! A celebration will be held at the Molos Promenade featuring live music performances by students at partner universities, and the Cyprus-based band Rumba Attack.
We look forward to welcoming you to Limassol and the Mediterranean.
Day 1, May 13
09:00 – 13:00
Frederick University, Limassol campus
Opening Ceremony:
The welcoming event of the Festival
15:00 – 18:00
Around the city
Workshop:
19:00
Molos seaside park, Limassol
Opening of open-air exhibition
Day 2, May 14
08:00-13:00
Molos seaside park, Limassol
Sports Activities:
10:00-14:00
Frederick University, Limassol campus
Workshop:
14:00-18:00
Frederick University, Limassol campus
IamStudent Congress:
Building IamEU-CONEXUS identity action plan and EU-CONEXUS Roadmap for student inter-campus life
19:00-21:00
Poetry readings and staged reading of a documentary theatre play
Performances:
Day 3, May 15
08:00-13:00
Amathus archaeological site, Limassol
Sports Activity:
09:00-14:00
Coastal area between the old and new port of Limassol
Workshop:
17:00-20:00
DP World Limassol – Cruise Terminal POD 5 – Departures, Limassol Port
5th Blue Limassol Forum
19:00
Molos Promenade, Limassol
Photo gallery
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Contacts
Frederick University, Limassol Campus
Stavroula Kazila
Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
“I’m grateful to have been part of this amazing festival 🙏🏻 It was a joy to meet and share moments with young people from so many different countries 🌍. Thanks everyone who made this event possible on the beautiful island of Cyprus!“
Konstantina Georgiou
Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
“The EU-CONEXUS Cultural Festival in Limassol was a three-day event filled with encounters from around the world, cultural exchange and creativity. From the moving art exhibition on the beautiful Limassol Seaside Park to the workshops and team sports by the sea, this festival was an unforgettable experience for all of us. I can’t wait for the next one!”
Panagiota Mallouchou
Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
“My experience in Cyprus was truly unique, as I had the chance to meet so many new people. I formed friendships with people who have similar passions and career aspirations. To sum up, this experience gave me the motivation to keep moving forward and pursue my ambitions.”
Theo Goltz, former president of EU-CONEXUS Student Board
University of Rostock, Germany
“I had a great time in Cyprus! The festival was a colorful, diverse event – full of exciting encounters with new people and nice reunions with old friends from the Student Board. The diversity of our nine partner universities was really celebrated – and yet there was this strong sense of community that connected us all.
I didn’t have a single highlight – it was more the many small, special moments that made the whole thing so unforgettable. Over 70 students and just as many employees were fully involved – at the work package meetings, on our Student Board and at the big Student Congress.
Once again it was clear: Nothing replaces face-to-face meetings. They not only bring better results, but also this special togetherness. Whether through art contributions, performances or involvement in the committees – you should definitely not miss the next festival!”
Anna Bekmansurova
South East Technological University, Ireland
” I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to attend the EU-CONEXUS Festival in Limassol. It was an honour to represent SETU by showcasing one of my artworks. This experience allowed me to network with students from different European universities, all united by a shared passion for sustainability and creative expression. It made me think of the importance of international collaboration in contemporary world. It has motivated me to continue exploring themes of important world issues and sustainability, and the role of art and culture and how they could help solve some of these problems. This festival gave me hope that even though there are different forms of art and different meanings to art, there’s also this idea that art can convey messages and make people think about ecological and sustainability problems, and maybe, at some point, even slightly make a change. I’m really thankful for the support that made this amazing experience happen.”
Patricia Cavanagh
South East Technological University, Ireland
“EU-CONEXUS Festival introduced me to other cultures and students from far and wide. I enjoyed the visual and social aspects of Limassol as a growing city combining old and new. The interactions with other international students helped my social skills enormously and has given me courage to consider travelling more in the future. I feel this trip has contributed to keeping my creativity alive and inspiring my artworks.“
Conor Moriarity
South East Technological University, Ireland
“ I loved meeting students from other universities and learning about their education systems. It’s amazing to experience different cultures!”
Kyle O’Toole
South East Technological University, Ireland
“The benefits of this EU-CONEXUS mobility have been immense. Growing up near the coast in Wexford, coastal activities have always been part of my life, but this trip gave me a much greater appreciation for the challenges of maintaining these areas. I was also introduced to many new cultures through meeting people from the eight other partner universities involved with EU-CONEXUS. Most importantly, I gained a deeper understanding of community by forming bonds with individuals across Europe that I believe will last well into the future. Without EU-CONEXUS, I wouldn’t have had this opportunity, and I’m extremely grateful—especially as international alliances and mutual respect are so vital today.”
Michael Warren Ceballos
La Rochelle Université, France
“As an international student in the Joint Master’s programme in Marine Biotechnology within EU-CONEXUS, I had a memorable experience at the Festival and took many photos to capture these special moments. I was glad to have people to go with, especially during meals and when I joined beach volleyball. I NEVER IMAGINED in my whole life that I’d end up having fun playing team sports with students from France, Croatia, Greece, Cyprus and Ireland.
Performing my poem “The Eternal Shores” was a big personal step for me. I’m usually shy and express myself better through writing, so reading it aloud in front of others was a real challenge. But it helped me grow and gave me more confidence to share my thoughts openly.
The team at La Rochelle Université was very attentive and really caring towards everyone. I truly felt this kindness! I also received feedback from students from other universities, which made the experience even richer. People appreciated the way I delivered my poem (it eased my nervousness) and that encouragement made me feel more comfortable and supported. It showed me that in this alliance, every voice is valued. The strength of EU-CONEXUS lies in the collective respect given to every voice by its entire community.
Ilias Belouahrani Kebir
La Rochelle Université, France
“It was an incredible opportunity to meet people from all over Europe. The atmosphere, the exchanges and the shared projects made it a truly unique and unforgettable experience. I’ve come away from it with an even broader mindset and a real sense of belonging to the European student community.”
Juliette Galeazzi
La Rochelle Université, France
“The activities on offer allowed us to connect with the other students at the Festival. The fun activities during the Student Congress were super inventive but a bit too heavy because they were timed, so there wasn’t much room for discussion unfortunately. Apart from that, it was really nice to feel like you were at university, but with students from all over Europe. It was a growing experience and we came away with a few new contacts and a lot of memories!”
