The event ‘Equality at the podium’, organised by the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra Foundation, took place on Friday 12 January 2024 at Pallas Theatre, in Nicosia, to crown the Foundation’s new policy for engaging equally women and men as guest conductors and soloists. Through the employment of this policy, the Foundation is thrilled to join the international movement towards bringing gender balance in classical music, towards a new state of affairs where female and conductors begin to hold the baton equally,
The CySO Foundation states in a press release that in this way it contributes to changing any outdated mindsets, stereotypes, status quo, inhibitions and prohibitions that have so far unfairly discouraged, rejected or disempowered women to stand at the podium. ”As in every profession, what is required of a symphony orchestra conductor is skill and capability, regardless of the person’s gender. What truly matters is professionalism, inspiring authority, communication with the musicians, a strong interpretat
ion, passion, empathy and being able to touch the audience,” the press release notes.
This initiative was supported by the Commissioner for Gender Equality, Josie Christodoulou and the Deputy Minister of Culture, Dr. Vasiliki Kassianidou, who both attended and addressed the event with a speech. The event was also addressed by the Vice-President of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, Athena Xenidou.
The event was attended by the President and members of the CySO Foundation Board of Directors, the Former European Commissioner and Member of the Cyprus Parliament, Androulla Vassiliou, representatives of women organisations and the media, as well as collaborators and friends of the Foundation.
Putting the policy into practice, as part of the event, the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra gave a brief concert of popular classics under the baton of two invited female conductors close to the orchestra’s heart: the world-class conductor Zoe Zeniodi and the rising young Cypriot conductor Kyriaki Kountouri. After the concert
, the two maestros shared personal experiences on their path as women orchestra conductors and answered questions from the audience, the press release concludes.
Source: Cyprus News Agency