Reading
Tuesday, 28 April 2026 at 6.00pm
The James Joyce Centre, in collaboration with the Embassy of Cyprus in Dublin, the Holy Orthodox Metropolis of Ireland, the Macedonian Cultural Association of Ireland “Aristotle” and the Federation of Cypriots of Ireland, cordially invites you to the presentation of three books by Cypriot writer and translator Lily Michaelides (Arena; HIM, stories of men; and Self-portrait) on Tuesday, 28 April 2026 at 6pm.
Self-portrait – Narrative
Like the script of a cinematic film that lightly moves in and out between everyday life and our inner world, it penetrates into our deepest emotions, into our hidden and silent inner realms, into our fears, disappointments, and joys. Into the immense questions that are not concealed, but are transformed and become faces, actions, remorse—ultimately leading to the realization of how vulnerable we all are: those of yesterday, today, and forever.
HIM, stories of men – Short stories
Men adapted to technological, digital and virtual times. Even though our times are bad, cold and upside down. They chase a drop of happiness. Artistic natures, thirsty for heroes who spring from under the pages, in love to the bone… the world of yesterday and the world of today…
Arena – Poetry
Lily’s Arena is a world, bustling, colorful, unseen and at the same time secret, where everything converses and everything coexists: The dream, the sky, the people, the buildings, the birds, the trees…. an arena of encounter, feelings, colors, words, a world that flows “branches, leaves, petals”, from the palms of Barcelona to her village, from Yerevan to ancient Olympia…
The evening will commence with welcome speeches by Darina Gallagher, Director of the James Joyce Centre, and Thomais Kakouli-Duarte, the President of the Macedonian Cultural Association “Aristotle” and representative of the Holy Orthodox Metropolis of Ireland, followed by a conversation between Dr Alev Adil, translator David Connolly, and poet Jessica Traynor. Lily will read the three texts in the original Greek alongside an English translation by tenor and actor Morgan Crowley (piano).
Lily Michaelides is a Cyprian poet and author. Her poems have been translated in many languages and published in literary magazines, blogs, newspapers and anthologies in Cyprus and abroad. She has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus PEN Centre, for Public and International Relations, 2013-2019. Since 2006 she is a co-founder and director of the cultural organisation Ideogramma, organisers of literary and poetry festivals local and international. Find out more about Lily’s work on www.lilymichaelides.com.
This event is free but booking is essential.
The James Joyce Centre is supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.