Thessaloniki-based publishing house Psifides has announced its withdrawal from the Nicosia Book Fest 2024, accusing organisers of yielding to homophobic pressure by cancelling a scheduled drag queen story reading event for children.
The event, featuring a reading of “The Drag Queen Who Saved Christmas” by Konstantinos Marangos, was initially planned for October 5. Similar events have previously been held in Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as internationally.
The “readings were embraced by children and parents, and the only ones who had a problem were the homophobes, racists, and fascists,” Psifides said in a Facebook post on Monday.
The publisher claims organisers removed online announcements for the event without prior notification and later requested that it proceed without the drag queen performer, Lynn Dynasty, following what Psifides described as “few online reactions of fascist-like individuals”.
Psifides criticised the decision as contradictory, noting that another fairy tale challenging stereotypes was still scheduled for presentation on the same day.
Despite withdrawing from the festival, the publisher intends to hold the event independently in Nicosia in early October, with details to be announced.
The Nicosia Book Fest 2024 organisers declined to comment when contacted by Phileleftheros.
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