Efacis The event 'Reflecting Asylum' brought to light important topics relevant to the conext in which it took place. It facilitated a conversation between two artists from different backgrounds, addressing themes of displacement and the mistreatment of people on the move in Cyprus, Ireland (and beyond).
Being familiar with the Cypriot situation through my research, I was impressed by the longstanding dedication Efi Savvides has shown in her work in Richmond Village. Her engagement with the lives of people whose experiences have been shaped by the history of a place that has changed so much is impressive. Her documentation of the material practices and personal stories of those living in the village showed a deep commitment to capturing the evolving realities of that territory.
I was deeply moved by the work of Vukašin Nedeljković. His reflections on the liminal spaces deliverately created by 'Fortress Europe' shows a visual history of injustices. These spaces highlight a situation that continues to deteriorate for people seeking for a better life. His considerations on the ethics and postionality of working with themes of displacement resonated strongly with me.
I left the event convinced of the continued need to denounce injustices. Both cases highlight the importance of critically addressing bordering practices, which, far from simplifying realities, serve as manifestations of deeply rooted historical, social, and politicia issues.
Ana Ricchiardi
***
I found the talks very moving and thought-provoking. it was surprising to realize how we can share the same emotions - feeling rejected, being identified as a threat to a community, or being treated as "others" - despite having vastly different experiences, whether due to our nationalities, passports, skin colors, and so forth.
I have never been a refugee, but as an immigrant I can tell you I have been treated by "authorities" as if I were a threat to their borders. It saddens me deeply that, even in 2025, people discuss human rights in forums like the United Nations, yet in pracitce, equality remains elusive. As the saying goes, all humans are equal, but some are more equal than others.
Will we ever truly be equal?
Elaheh Ghasemi Dehcheshmeh
***
Vukašin Nedeljković visited the University of Cyprus, Department of English Studies, and presented work relevant to their project, Asylum Archive. In addition, they discussed their recent visit to Israel, their work with Palestinian refugees, and their brief visit to Cyprus, where they encountered Cypriot artists and activists and learned about their experiences with refugees ariving in Cyprus in recent years. They spoke in particular about their own experience as an asylum seeker accommodated in Ireland's Direct Provision System, highlighting the difficulties they and other asylum seekers encountered during their stay. They showed us photographic material from various Direct Provision housing facilities in Ireland and explained their artistic choice to exclude the faces of asylum seekers from the photos. Their presentation at the University of Cyprus was personal, authentic, and very touching, as the audience genuinely felt their struggles and trauma, as well as their determination to overcome their difficulties. Their visit to Cyprus was of great importance as they raised awareness about the issue of asylum seekers, which is highly relevant to the Eastern Mediterranean in general and Cyprus in particular. They provided a concrete and honest picture of the challenges asylum seekers face and emphasized the urgency of establishing a support system to protect these vulnerable individuals. They offered a humanistic framework for approaching this issue, free from prejudice, cheap slogans, and ignorance. Overall, their visit was significant, and I wish Vukašin Nedeljković well and hope they continue their brilliant work.
Tziovanis Georgakis
***
Vukašin's talk about refugees and migrants in the Irish context made me question my sensitivity to the issue and the prejudiced attitudes to which I am constantly exposed. Thanks to this talk, I once again realized the importance of striving for the spread of peace, fraternity, democracy, and the equal sharing of economic resources in the whole world. Throught their photographs, I observed that the philosophical depth of art can converge with superior aestheticism by assimilating individual and social experiences.
Ahmet Yikik
