ORI IRE
by Yonly Leyva Desdunes
Dance
Part of the RELATE Festival (Autumn–Winter 2025)
28 November | Doors Open: 18:30
Dance House Lefkosia
Visual Voices (CY), Generation for Change (CY), l’atelier des artistes en exil (FR), and Dance House Lefkosia are pleased to invite you to ORI IRE, a performance by Yonly Leyva Desdunes, developed under the mentorship of Lia Haraki. The performance will take place on 28 November at Dance House Lefkosia as part of the RELATE Festival. Doors open at 18:30, and the performance begins at 19:00.
Born in Cuba, a country celebrated for its cultural diversity, Yonly draws inspiration from the profound legacy of the African Yoruba culture. The title of the performance, ORI IRE, derives from two Yoruba spiritual concepts symbolising destiny and blessings or good fortune. ORI represents one’s path the inner compass that guides us through moments of confusion and rediscovery. IRE is the light that illuminates this journey, reconnecting us with our essence and destiny. Together, ORI IRE expresses Yonly’s personal destination a space where challenges are embraced as lessons, each leaving a trace on the body and soul, and finding expression through dance.
ORI IRE unfolds in seven parts, each representing a phase of human life and spiritual evolution: birth, struggle, fall, rebirth, illumination, union, and liberation. Each phase reveals a unique lesson and musical landscape, illustrating how existence moves in cycles of growth, reflection, and renewal.
The show is conceived, choreographed, and performed by Yonly Leyva Desdunes, with an additional performance by Despina Violari. The music was written by Lambriani Kyprianou and Yonly Leyva Desdunes for the piece “Y Yo Camine,” with lyrics also written by Yonly Leyva Desdunes. Costume design was created by Despina Violari.
Yonly Leyva Desdunes is a Cuban-born choreographer, performer, and producer based in Cyprus. Yonly has collaborated with diverse artists and performed internationally in festivals and competitions, excelling in Salsa and contemporary dance. His choreography has been featured in projects including the West End, Dancing with the Stars, Britain’s Got Talent, and Gloria Estefan’s musical On Your Feet. In Cyprus, he organised the “Interchange Cultural” event at the Home for Cooperation and has performed at major festivals such as the Nicosia International Festival and Kypria Festival. His recent work includes Kafka: RED PETER with Theatre Antilogos. Yonly’s work explores migration, identity, and cultural adaptation, using dance to bridge cultures and facilitate dialogue.
Yonly Leyva Desdunes participates in RELATE (REveaL – Art To Exchange), where he benefits from the mentorship of Lia Haraki, a leading figure in Cyprus’s contemporary dance and performance scene, whose guidance supports the development of Yonly’s artistic practice throughout the residency.
RELATE supports Cyprus-based migrant artists through mentorship, production support, public showcases, and transnational networking opportunities. It is led by Visual Voices (CY), Generation for Change (CY), and l’atelier des artistes en exil (FR). It is co-funded by the European Union through the CERV programme.
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