Ttavas Artist Residency
Fengaros Music Village x Λarnaka 2030
Τταβάς Artist Residency
Μουσικό Χωριό Φέγγαρος x Λarnaka 2030

Fengaros Music Village proudly collaborates with Λarnaka 2030 - European Capital of Culture Candidate City for the second year running for Ttavas - a unique artist residency that will bring together Nidal Talal Ghannam (Beirut), Ahmet Choban (Famagusta), Dona Amyrotou (Larnaca) and Kleopatra Iakovou (Larnaca) for five days to co-create and develop an original set of music to be presented at Fengaros Festival 2025. The goal of Ttavas is to strengthen collaborations between artists from Cyprus and the Middle East by providing them with a safe space with no creative limits in order to further develop their collaboration skills and repertoire.
Το Μουσικό Χωριό Φέγγαρος και η υποψήφια πολιτιστική πρωτεύουσα της Ευρώπης Λάρνακα 2030 περήφανα ανακοινώνουν τη δεύτερη έκδοση του Ttavas - ένα μοναδικό artist residency το οποίο θα φέρει μαζί τους Nidal Talal Ghannam (Βυρητό), Ahmet Choban (Αμμόχωστος), Dona Amyrotou (Λάρνακα) και Kleopatra Iakovou (Λάρνακα) για πέντε μέρες όπου θα συνθέσουν αυθεντική μουσική και θα την παρουσιάσουν στο Fengaros Festival 2025. Στόχος του Ttavas Artist Residency είναι να ενισχύσει τις συνεργασίες μεταξύ καλλιτεχνών από την Κύπρο και τη Μέση Ανατολή, προσφέροντάς τους πλήρης καλλιτεχνική ελευθερία για να αναπτύξουν τις δεξιότητες και το ρεπερτόριό τους.
Ttavas Artist Residency is an initiative of Fengaros Music Village in collaboration with Λarnaka 2030 - European Capital of Culture Candidate City

About Ahmet Choban


Cypriot singer-songwriter/producer Choby weaves together the warmth of his Cypriot roots with the raw energy of Northern England, creating a sound that is both modern and timeless. Blending Mediterranean influences with R&B/Soul, electronic elements, and a touch of country, Choby's music pulses with excitement, adventure and vulnerability. His songwriting is introspective and poetic, in other words "Cohen-esque", while his live performances have been likened to the intensity of Jeff Buckley and the electrifying presence of Prince.

Emerging from the vibrant underground scene of the North, Choby has quickly become one of the most exciting new voices in the UK music landscape. His debut album SKiN UNTOUCHED introduces a bold, fresh sound— infusing the musical style of Cyprus with a mix of electronic beats, acoustic soul, and raw storytelling. It’s an exploration of identity, love, and personal evolution, with Choby shedding his past to embrace something new, much like the sound he’s crafting.


2024 was a breakthrough year for Choby, with sold-out shows in Leeds, Hull, and his hometown of Famagusta, as well as appearances at prestigious festivals like Leeds Jazz Fest and Humber Street Sesh. On the day of his album’s release, he also performed a live session on BBC Introducing, marking the start of what’s sure to be an exciting journey. With SKiN UNTOUCHED, Choby is just beginning to show the world what he’s capable of—a fresh, electrifying voice that’s impossible to ignore.

About Kleopatra Iakovou


Kleopatra Iakovou is a singer/songwriter with a deep love for rock and blues, dedicated to delivering honest and heartfelt performances. She is passionate about creating music, collaborating with fellow musicians, and bringing authentic energy to every set. For her, it’s all about sharing stories through music and building meaningful connections with audiences.

About Dona Amyrotou


Dona Amyrotou completed her studies at Arte Music Academy and her Master studies at Akademia Muzyczna im. Stanisława Moniuszki w Gdańsku. Dona has participated and observed masterclasses of some of today’s most experienced and talented marimbists, timpanists and percussionists, including Katarzyna Mycka, Wieland Welzel, Nick Woud, Tatiana Koleva, Fumito Nunoya, Rachel Zhang and Conrado Moya. She participated in many festivals like the festival Amsterdam Marimba Weekend (2022), IKMMA (2023) and International Marimba Festiva Meetings (2024) in Poland. She has recently won the second runner-up place at the Young Soloists Competition, organized by Cyprus Symphony Orchestra (2024), the first place (distinction) at the 3rd Panhellenic Music Competition for all instruments Solon Michaelides (2023) and in 2021 she won the 3rd place (ex aequo) at ‘IV Uczelniany Konkurs „Polska Miniatura” organized by her Academy in Poland. Now she is working on her Doctoral degree at Westfälische Wilhelms - Universität Münster Musikhochschule in Germany.

About Nidal Talal Ghannam


Nino is a musician from Lebanon. He began playing music at the age of 6, learning both violin and piano. At 11, after his older brother stopped playing guitar, he picked it up and quickly developed a deep passion for the instrument. Over the years, he became a self-taught guitarist and later dove into music production, which expanded his musical abilities and made him a multi-instrumentalist. He has since performed live with both well-known and local artists, exploring a variety of genres. For Nino, music is more than just a career—it’s his love language, a powerful means of communication and expression.