The multi-talented Saskia Constantinou is a musician, producer, writer and radio personality who livens up Cyprus’ cultural scene with her characteristic warmth, incredible musical expertise and energy. In 2013 she started her venture Apollon International Connections with the aim of promoting quality music and organising concerts with stellar local and international talent. Read on for her interview.

Tell us about the inspiration for your venture Apollon International Connections.

Hailing from a family of professional musicians, all my life has been in the world of music and orchestras. My earliest memories are of having international soloists welcomed in our home while on tour, of chamber music evenings and attending orchestra rehearsals with my Father. I recall sitting there and writing up notes of what sounded good, what not, and why – an auspicious beginning maybe, of what was to become a job for me so many years later as a music critic for the Cyprus Mail and Cyprus Weekly.

After many years in the National Symphony Orchestra of South Africa as a violinist, to escape the dangers and economic strife of the country, I moved to Cyprus in 2000 and began work as a producer and presenter at the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, while also having a column in the newspaper. After 13 years, I was really disillusioned, having realised that there was no possibility to further my career and found myself stuck in a rut. I always maintain that out of every crisis and experience, one can take the opportunity to make it into something positive. The financial collapse in March 2013 did that for me, and I realised that I needed to return to a more international arena.

That was the birth of Apollon International Connections. It has evolved into a multi-faceted company presenting international concerts and festivals, artist and event management and publishes the Apollon International Magazine, which merges sports, arts and culture.

What is your vision?

It’s changed. It used to be, to broaden the musical horizons of people in Cyprus, to try and change their perception of classical music being boring, and to get them to try something ‘new’, but I now realise that it is an impossible mission. If one doesn’t want classical music to be elitist, which it now is as it does not attract the general population of Cyprus, it needs a joint, and concerted effort. This can only be achieved by the government who need to have a proper, and most importantly, long-term arts and cultural vision. There are so may concerts now, all over the country – some worthy of mention, others not, but there is no cohesion in the planning and education aspect. It’s important to realise that nurturing the arts does not waste money, it actually generates it. There are countless studies all over the world which have proven this to be true, so it’s a matter of someone having the courage and knowledge to implement it before even more years are wasted. I find it tragic that, as Europeans, we still do not have a permanent, professional opera house or ballet company and yet in 2017, will hold the title of Cultural Capital of Europe.

Our company can only follow our motto which we took from Artistotle’s words “Quality is not an act, it’s a habit.”

Describe some of the highlights so far.

Undoubtedly, presenting a sold out concert in the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York was an absolutely amazing experience as was the concert with Boris Grebenshikov at London’s Cadogan Hall. Just a few months ago, the Apollon Sinfonia launched in South Africa which was an even bigger project with full orchestra…I’ve also had the opportunity to interview (for radio and the Apollon Magazine) many great musicians and artists which has been a huge privilege.

What are some of the upcoming events and how can music fans book their tickets?

We have quite a few exciting but diverse projects this year. In April, we will be launching Creative Women which is a joint project with Ensemble Productions from London. It is an organisation founded to inspire and connect creative women around the world through business. As we know, higher creativity leads to greater innovation within the business environment, so it is an important skill. This year, it will be at the Elysium Hotel in Paphos, and each year will be hosted in a new international venue. The organisation has an international committee of high profile company owners and CEO’s with the panel comprising highly esteemed speakers, so I’m really excited about this.

The 3^rd Apollon International Arts Festival will this year take place not only at the Annabelle Hotel in Paphos, but also in Nicosia and Limassol, so exciting developments there. We’re in the final stages of programming so more news about that later.

This year, we will also be launching the Cyprus International Food Festival. That project too, is in its final stages of preparation, so I don’t want to say more about it now. Suffice it to say, that it will be big, international, great chefs and what Cypriots relish – lots of tasting!

For more information, visit Apollon International Connections website.