VIMA, the first international contemporary art fair in Cyprus, will debut in Limassol from 15-18 May 2025. The fair will take place at an ex-industrial building overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, originally part of one of Cyprus’ oldest wineries built in 1947.

With a focus on showcasing contemporary art from Cyprus and its neighbouring countries, VIMA Art Fair aims to collectively embrace the diversity of coastal cultures in a manner that is inclusive and accessible. While spotlighting artists and galleries at home, the fair will also invite artistic and curatorial exchanges from abroad. It will host emerging and established galleries in addition to artist-run spaces, offering a comprehensive showcase of contemporary art from Cyprus and the surrounding Mediterranean region.

Participation in the fair is by invitation, and every year an international curator will also be invited to take residence in Cyprus and work with regional artists, encouraging international dialogue and incubating conversations at home. VIMA positions itself as a place for new discoveries and fresh perspectives alongside established artistic practices, all within an intimate art fair environment. Fair participants and the curatorial project for VIMA’s inaugural edition will be announced later this year.

VIMA Art Fair is co-founded by Edgar Gadzhiev, Lara Kotreleva and Nadezhda Zinovskaya, with gallery participation and fair programming spearheaded by an expert committee comprising Alexandros Diogenous (Founder of Pylon Art & Culture, Co-founder of Limassol Art Walks), Tasos Stylianou, (Director and Co-founder of Limassol Art Walks and Gallerist), and Andre Zivanari (Founder and Director of Point Center for Contemporary Art, Nicosia).

Vima (Bήμα), which in Greek means ‘step’ but also a ‘podium’ or ‘platform’, aspires to build bridges between the fast-growing art ecosystems in Cyprus and those in its neighbouring countries. Not entirely in the ‘East’ nor geographically ‘West’, it carves out a social space for interaction and practices of neighbourliness. Occupying this unique position, VIMA aims to offer participants and audiences alike, an inclusive, accessible and engaging entry point to diverse cultural exchanges.

Enquiries for local and international press, please contact

Alexia Menikou | pr@vima.art

Website / Instagram

Vima.Art / @vima.artfair

Image

courtesy of VIMA Art Fair. Download further images of the location HERE

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NOTES TO EDITORS

About the Co-founders

Based in Limassol, Cyprus, Edgar Gadzhiev has to date, focused his career in the art world on creating long-term projects that bring meaningful value to local art ecosystems. With years of experience in marketing working with major brands, Gadzhiev shifted his expertise to the art world. While strengthening his education in the visual arts marketing and management sectors, together with Nadezhda Zinovskaya, in 2022 he managed Ayarkut, an international art foundation operating across Kazakhstan and Mexico. With the forthcoming launch of VIMA Art Fair, Gadzhiev continues his dedication to launching international arts projects that focus on building sustainable and long-term infrastructures, which nurture and support the development of artists, gallerists, collectors, and art lovers.

Having spent the last 15 years travelling to Cyprus, Lara Kotreleva moved to Limassol permanently with her family in Autumn 2022. During this period, she established Sphere Space, an ongoing research initiative and online platform dedicated to architectural heritage,

exploring aesthetic modernist routes through Limassol and Larnaca. After studying at Moscow State University, Kotreleva worked in one of the largest museums in Russia, The State Tretyakov gallery, where she was responsible for the creation of an entirely new 20,000 square metre museum, from construction and design to the development of programmes aimed at audience engagement.

Immersed in the art world from a young age, Nadezhda Zinovskaya was born into a family of artists. Before fully transitioning into the art world, she had a successful career in toy development, gaining valuable experience in marketing, branding, and team management. She has since been dedicated to the field of contemporary art through various projects and organisations, founding significant initiatives such as Cube.Moscow, the only collaborative art space of its kind at the time of its launch. In 2021 Zinovskaya created a foundation to support artists from Yakutia, continuing its mission through the international foundation Ayarkut. Zinovskaya has not only managed a gallery but participated in international art fairs. Her role in launching VIMA Art Fair further demonstrates a dedication to developing new and collaborative platforms that support and nurture artistic talent.

About the Location

VIMA will be held in an ex-industrial building overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The building was originally part of the SODAP winery (Cooperative Organization for the Distribution of Viticultural Products), one of Cyprus’ oldest wineries and an important piece of the island's cultural heritage.

Built shortly after the cooperative's founding in 1947, it reflected the architectural style of the time and served as the main production centre for processing grapes grown in the districts of Limassol and Paphos.

Over time, the building began to deteriorate. Due to its aging structure and the need to meet modern production standards, it was eventually abandoned, marking an inevitable shift toward modern technology and upgraded facilities for wine production.