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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 complex in the centre of...
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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 Mail they were all 16 or...
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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 old house in Strovolos that hosts Amalgamate...
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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 him now living to enjoy life from his Cyprus...
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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.
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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 of moving images. Eight thousand...
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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....
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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.
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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 their teller to be decorated by...
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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 woman with the water bottles is?” says...
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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, who says she has seen miracles and the reconciliation...
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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 Awards on Sunday. The...
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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 The house, in a quiet residential part...
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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 – having...
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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 under his belt who randomly...
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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 May 29, 2018, a...
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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 to enjoy the food ‘Do...
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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 oppressed It’s rare to find someone – let...
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Covid in Cyprus: Will the measures come back? (video)
A couple of weeks after the last remaining Covid measures (indoor mask mandates) were lifted in Cyprus, meaning that life was almost back to normal, we asked a selection of people on the streets of...
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WHO pandemic treaty: Global technocrats vs local elected officials
Is it right to have national health policy being dictated, top-down, by a global entity asks Theo Panayides The annual summit of the World Health Assembly – the decision-making body of the World Health...
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