Stage designer with a boundless creative flow
In a man born to be a creative, THEO PANAYIDES meets a costume designer for whom the flow never seems to ebb, someone who uses humour to fight against feeling ...
Articles
Thrill-seeking chef doesn’t do it for the stardom
In the owner and creative force of a local foodie institution THEO PANAYIDES finds a hard-working man in total control of his kitchen who is passionate about cooking for people ...
Fragmentation of the people’s team
The implicitly political Omonia saga reflects something greater than football: the splintering of the Left and the declining influence of Akel in Cyprus
Four years ago to the day, on ...
Former jockey on the craft of horse riding
The world of horse racing has come a long way since it had large crowds and race winners were treated like celebrities. THEO PANAYIDES meets a jockey with 400 first places ...
Poet and activist with a deep need for change
In a restless and wide-eyed eco-activist, THEO PANAYIDES meets a woman hoping for a new system, resigned to writing reports instead of poetry
It’s okay, sighs Paraskevi ‘Evi’ Christodoulou – ...
War correspondent’s life of narrow escapes and hairy moments
In a veteran war correspondent, THEO PANAYIDES finds a man capable of being precise and meticulous in the midst of chaos, aware of how quickly it can all go wrong
...
British Cypriot wins Bafta comedy award
Barnet-born actor, writer and comedian Jamie Demetriou, the son of an English mother and a Greek Cypriot father, won Best Male Performance in a Comedy Programme at the Bafta TV ...
Retired teacher, now a nun, talks of ‘divine attraction’
In a mother and grandmother who gave it all up to become a nun, THEO PANAYIDES finds a woman who does not have enough hours in the day to worship, ...
Dire situation for refugees in Oroklini exposes deep systemic issues
The saga of the refugee housing from hell in the town of Oroklini may be coming to an end – but the situation remains unacceptable.
“You see over there, where the ...
Scholar and soldier’s 90 years of encounters
In a military man and academic who appears to be a ‘posh Brit’ THEO PANAYIDES finds a fascinating history of stories that reflect on the history of Cyprus and led ...
Public opinion: The war in Ukraine (video)
We asked various people on the streets of Nicosia how they see the war, and if they’re worried about a possible escalation.
Bubbly young woman surrounded by death
THEO PANAYIDES discovers that few people understand the circle of life better than Florentina Mela, the 28-year-old funeral director
Last Sunday, April 3, was Florentina Mela’s birthday; she turned 28. She’...
Island’s largest film fest set to open its doors
Cyprus Film Days opens its doors on Friday with some large international films and some lesser known gems says Preston Wilder
This is a public service announcement. One of the ...
Four films, four journeys
Local films are included in this year’s annual Cyprus Film Days festival, opening on Friday. THEO PANAYIDES speaks to the people behind them
We’re surrounded by a glut ...
An African drummer in Nicosia (Video)
We speak to a ‘djembe’ player from The Gambia, now in Cyprus and trying to bring the migrant and local communities together with his drumming.
Lifelong libertarian in a big house on the hill
In a risk taker with a swashbuckling CV, THEO PANAYIDES meets a man whose years in the City through the hedonism of the 60s and strife of the 70s see ...
Community-minded music teacher strikes a positive note
In a relentlessly sunny educator THEO PANAYIDES finds a woman inspired by Obelix for whom music is a reason to live
‘Love’ says the sign on a door in the ...
Migrants sleeping rough in Nicosia refuse to return to Pournara
Nine young Somali migrants camped outside the Hope for Children shelter in old Nicosia say they will not leave until their situation is resolved.
The boys, who told the Cyprus ...
Future of iconic Nicosia complex in doubt
The Zena complex in central Nicosia was never beautiful, but what was once the main meeting place for 1970s and 80s teens now oozes urban decay
Walking around the Zena ...
Slam poet looks for love in the midst of disability
In a contender for the world title, THEO PANAYIDES meets a man looking for love who has found peace in poetry
Argyris Loizou sits in his small first-floor flat off ...
Film and TV pioneer thinks ahead and thinks big
In a man of vision, THEO PANAYIDES meets someone who is detail oriented and cerebral from his days filming the invasion as a teenager to backing the production of Jiu ...
World-class soprano with an operatic life story
In a world-renowned soprano THEO PANAYIDES finds an emotional, spiritual woman who has led a fascinating life that might well make an opera tale itself
It starts off dramatic, and ...
Another ambitious plan for the local film industry
Amid a European shortage of film studios, one man plans to make Cyprus a studio hub
The film and TV industry is notorious – especially in Cyprus – for grandiose projects that ...
Restaurateur lives for the art of conversation
In the specialist in turning out warming soups in the north THEO PANAYIDES meets a former mechanical engineer who has moved into the late night dining scene. He now lives ...