Possibly the best-known Englishman in Cyprus
By Agnieszka Rakoczy
Singer, song writer, radio presenter, actor and editor, John Vickers has been here 50 years and worn many hats, but he still doesn’t like olives
July 18, 1972, a 22...
Former reiki teacher still a survivor at 95
THEO PANAYIDES hears about the mixed blessings of growing old from a straight-speaking Limassol-based woman looking back on a life ranging from corporate wife in America to ground breaking reiki ...
Third-funniest person in the world finds comedy in disability
After suffering a very dramatic mid life crisis, one stand-up comedienne turned her near-death experience into a show. THEO PANAYIDES meets a fast-talking live wire on her way to becoming ...
World champion street dancer comes alive on stage
In an athlete of the gods THEO PANAYIDES finds a can-do, tough-minded dancer combining an African upbringing with a Western mentality, still searching for something new in his chosen art ...
Restless academic favours irony over ideology
THEO PANAYIDES meets a man, born in Ceylon, who grew up all around the world with books and continues to live for knowledge, questioning everything even though he considers himself ...
The rockstar with the cello
In classical crossover artist Hauser, PAUL LAMBIS meets a musician for whom classical always wins the day but, impressed with its drama, blends it with rock and pop
Hauser has ...
Cooking feeds TV chef’s creative side
In an open and free spirited woman, THEO PANAYIDES finds an influencer whose life is easily broken down into raucous encounters and blog-worthy anecdotes
I assumed Galatia Pamboridis and I ...
23 years at the head of a drug rehab centre
In the calm and controlled woman in charge of the island’s rehabilitation programme THEO PANAYIDES finds someone driven by compassion fighting fiercely for the less fortunate and against the ...
Multi-faceted actor finds himself on stranger tides
In an English Cypriot who has played alongside such stars as Angelina Jolie, THEO PANAYIDES meets a man who has enjoyed cult success, juggles several balls but finds himself not ...
Venerated dancer’s life a series of turning points
In a life-long lover of music, AGNIESZKA RAKOCZY meets one of the island’s leading choreographers who transforms what life throws at her into dance
Several key events mark the ...
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 ...
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 ...
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
...
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, ...
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 ...
The man with the greenest fingers in Cyprus
Working alone with Mother Nature, a gardener in Lapithos has made a backyard to marvel at with endemic plants providing a riot of colour. AGNIESZKA RAKOCZY has a look around
...
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’...
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 ...
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 ...