The Municipality’s Original Guide JUNE-JULY 2013 nicosia this month

7-9 June 2013 1st International Performance Art Festival

Nicosia this Month

Message from the Mayor

Dear Reader, Welcome to our capital, It is always a pleasure to greet our residents and to welcome our visitors. Nicosia this month, our monthly magazine will help you discover what our capital has to offer. Your visit to our city should start from its historic centre. The impressive Venetian walls that surround the Old Town and our historic centre are naturally the most prominent sights that a visitor should visit. Within these walls you will find traces of the island’s past, Byzantine chapels and churches next to neo-classical architecture thematic museums next to art galleries and various music stages that feature young as well as established talents. Small boutiques showcase the work of local designers, artisans work diligently in their workshops, farmers markets tempt you with fresh produce and local delights. And when you’re ready for a break, traditional coffee shops and tavernas are around the corner. Leave the Old Town and you will enter into the cosmopolitan world of a European capital. High street shopping at Makarios Avenue, trendy cafés and the sophistication of the contemporary corporate environment. Sadly, Nicosia and its historical centre are divided with the so called Green- Line. Our city is still the last divided capital of and the continued division of Nicosia casts a shadow over our capital. Nevertheless as citizens of a proud city we look toward the future and the development of our capital. Our efforts to achieve reunification is one of our main targets for the benefit of all our citizens and for our country. Dear visitor, whether you are visiting for business or pleasure, we hope you will experience and enjoy the hospitality and diversity of Nicosia! Enjoy your stay in our beautiful city !

Constantinos Yiorkadjis Mayor of Nicosia

CONTENTS

Nicosia ...... 3 Where to Go ...... 6 Useful Information ...... 12 Shopping in Nicosia ...... 13 Walks...... 14 The Walls ...... 15 Excursions by car...... 16 MONTHLY TOURIST Cultural Events...... 18 & SHOPPING GUIDE PUBLISHED BY THE NICOSIA Cover Photo: Elena Georgiou MUNICIPALITY SINCE 1983 3 Nicosia

Nicosia emerged from the sea 1,8 – 5 million years ago. During the first millennium BC, Nicosia enjoyed neither the power nor the prosperity of other City-Kingdoms, most of which lay on the coastline. The first traces of its current name appeared in the 3rd century BC, when Lefcus, the son of Ptolemy rebuilt Ledra, renaming it Lefkothea (“white goddess”). Built as a fortress, it has weathered a long list of conquerors. Phoenicians, Assyrians, Persians, Egyptians, Romans, Arabs, the Templars, the Frankish Lusignan dynasty, Venetians and Ottomans all held sway over Cyprus before British colonial rule in the 19th century. All, and to varying degrees, have left their mark on the city. The most significant influences on modern Nicosia date from the 15th and 16th centuries. Under the Lusignans, the capital saw the construction of a number of palaces, mansions, churches and monasteries. The first Lusignan castle was built during the reign of King Henry I, in 1211 and later Peter II fortified the entire city. The Venetians ruled the island from 1489 –1571 with Nicosia as the seat of the Venetian Governor. Faced with the threat of an Ottoman invasion, the Venetians decided to withdraw from the Lusignan military fortifications and created a defensive line around the city. The buildings standing outside this line, including most of the inheritance from the Lusignan period, were torn down and the stones were used for the new defensive wall. Julio Savorgnano, a Venetian architect and engineer, designed the new walls of Nicosia which are considered as the prototype of the renaissance military architecture. Impressive as Nicosia’s defenses were, however, they were unable to keep out the Ottomans. After a siege of seven weeks Mustafa Pasha entered the city on September 9, 1570 and a period of Ottoman rule followed lasting until the arrival of the British in 1878. After a liberation struggle in 1955-59, Cyprus gained its independence in 1960 and Nicosia officially became capital of the Republic of Cyprus. Since then Nicosia has grown into a bustling cosmopolitan European city yet it remains compact enough to be explored on foot. Since the Turkish invasion of 1974, Nicosia has been a divided capital, with the Buffer Zone patrolled by UN troops, the infamous “Green Line”, disrupting its cohesion and continuity.

4 Nicosia this Month

5 WHERE TO GO

The Old City of Nicosia is surrounded by a complete star- MUSEUMS shape of walls (referred to as ‘The Walls’) built by the Venetians in 1567 in their effort to fortify the city against a threatened Ottoman invasion. The Walls have eleven heart-shaped bastions and three gates. Gate or Porta Julia, the biggest and most elaborate of the three is since 1982 the Cultural Centre of the Mu- nicipality of Nicosia. The other two gates are The Gate at the West situated by the Green Line and Kerynia Gate to the North, today in the occupied area of the city. The Nicosia Town Hall (15, K. Papaeologou Avenue, Tel: 22797000) is built on one of the bastions, the Bastion Davila, overlooking . THE CYPRUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM Recent excavations on the bastion of Podocataro have 1, Museum Str, Tel: 22865864 revealed the remains of the siege of the city by the Turks The Cyprus Museum is the main museum presenting the in 1570. Mud brick embrasures, parts of armoury and civilization of the island from its very beginnings, in the weapons as well as two skeletons, decapitated by the 9th Millennium B.C. to the early Byzantine period. Exhib- Ottomans, verify the descriptions of contemporary writ- its range from the Pre-Pottery and Neolithic period com- ers describing the fall of Nicosia. The Old City is fasci- prising tools of stone or bone, idols and vessels of stone, nating to stroll through for shopping or for dining with to the pottery of the ceramic Neolithic and the elaborate, its narrow streets, small shops, carved balconies, inner richly decorated pottery of the later periods, sculpture of yards, churches, mosques, and Byzantine arches. stone or clay, bronze weapons, tools, figurines and orna- ments, the coinage of the island as well as the jewelry CHRYSALINIOTISSA AREA and works of art in media such as glass, alabaster and Near the Famagusta Gate, the quarter takes its name ivory. Funerary architecture and funerary customs are from the oldest Byzantine church in Nicosia, dedicated to also presented while a special room is devoted to the “Our Lady of the Golden Flax”. Built in 1463 by the Greek- scripts of the island, from its earliest form, the Cypro- origin Lusignan Queen Eleni Paleologina. Following the Minoan, to the use of the Greek alphabet. signs near the church you will find the Chrysaliniotissa Opening hours: Monday:Closed, Tuesday, Crafts Centre. Numerous taverns and bars are also to Thursday & Friday: 08:00-16:00, be found near this area. Wednesday 08:00-17:00, Saturday: 09:00-16:00 Sunday 10:00-13:00 ARCHBISHOP KYPRIANOS SQUARE The square in front of the Archbishopric, where monu- MAKARIOS III CULTURAL FOUNDATION ments and buildings of historical and religious interest Within the Archbishopric, Arch. Kyprianos Square, abound, including the Ethnographic Museum of Cyprus, Tel: 22430008 the National Struggle Museum and Cathe- Comprising of: dral as well as The Pancyprian Gymnasium Museum. THE BYZANTINE MUSEUM LAIKI YITONIA (FOLK NEIGHBOURHOOD) Houses the largest collection of icons in Cyprus with 220 Restored pedestrian area within the walled city, East of pieces covering several periods from 5th to the 19th cen- Eleftheria Square. Charming winding alleys with tradi- tury. Among the master-pieces are: the icons of “Christ tional houses and shops, restaurants, galleries, all lov- and the Virgin Mary” (12th century) from the Church of the ingly restored as typical examples of Cypriot urban archi- Virgin Mary of Aracas at Laghoudera, and “The Resur- tecture of a bygone, more graceful age. rection” (13th century) from the Church of St. John Lam-

6 Nicosia this Month

badistis Monastery at Kalopanayiotis. There are also six in his poem “Little Things of Cyprus”, which he dedicated pieces of Kanakaria Mosaics. to his friend the painter and first Director of the Cyprus THE EUROPEAN ART GALLERY Folk Art Museum, Adamantios Diamantis. Houses 120 oil paintings of various European Schools Opening hours: Tuesday – Friday: 9:30-16:00 of Art from the 16th until the 19th century, with mainly and Saturday 9:00-13:00 religious themes, among others by Van Dyck, Rubens, Contact: Tel: 22432578, Fax 22343439, Tintoretto, Lorrain and Delacroix. Email: [email protected] THE GREEK INDEPENDENCE WAR GALLERY CYPRUS POSTAL MUSEUM Houses maps, copper engravings and paintings featur- (Department of Postal Services) ing persons and events from the Greek Independence 3B Agiou Savva Str, Tel: 22304711 War, as well as paintings by Greek artists with subjects derived from Greek mythology. Collection of Cyprus stamps from 1800 onwards. With Opening hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am-16:30 numerous awards Cyprus stamps are considered Saturday 9:00am-13:00 among the best in world philately. The museum hosts also memorabilia such as scales, old letter boxes, ap- CYPRUS CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM proximately 400 seals and other historical items. 44, Granikou Str (in the old city), Tel: 99543215 www.agrino.org/motormuseum LEDRA MUSEUM – OBSERVATORY Corner Ledras and Arsinoes Str, Tel: 22128157 One of the largest collections in the world, presenting 150 unique classical motorcycles. Among them BSAs from A specially designed and equipped museum-observatory 1927, AJS from 1938, Matchless from 1939, Triumph from on the top of Shacolas Tower where you can get the best 1946 and an MV Agusta. Enthusiasts will be able to enjoy views of the old and modern city. Use the telescope to see a journey through classic motorcycle history. various monuments and churches throughout the city and Opening hours: Daily 9:00am-13:00, 15:00-19:00 learn about their history. In the heart of the old city of Nicosia. Saturday 9:00-14:00 Opening hours: May-September: Monday-Sunday 10.00-20.00pm, October-April: Monday-Saturday 9:30-17:00

THE GEORGE & NEFELI GIABRA PIERIDES ARCHEAOLOGICAL MUSEUM 86-88-90 Phaneromenis Str, Tel: 22128157 The mezzanine floor of the refurbished building of the Cultural Foundation, at Phaneromeni in Old Nicosia, houses the Museum of the George and CYPRUS FOLK ART MUSEUM Nefeli Giabra Pierides Collection (donated by Clio and The main Folk Art Museum in Cyprus, is housed in the Solon Triantafyllides). The Collection, which includes Old Archbishopric at Archbishop Kyprianos Square. A over 600 items, has been described by experts as one historic building dating back to the 15th century with later of the richest in the world in Mycenaean pottery. It additions. Presents masterpieces of weaving embroidery, includes representative samples of pottery from the lace, costumes, pottery, metalwork, basketry, folk paint- Geometric, Archaic, Roman and Medieval periods, ing, leatherwork and woodcarving. What is also remark- terracotta figurines, an important collection of stone able is the 19th century door of Saint Mamas church that sculptures and seals, jewelry and bronze objects. the Nobel prize-winning poet Georgios Seferis mentions Opening hours: Daily 10:00-19:00

7 WHERE TO GO

MUSEUM OF THE HISTORY OF CYPRIOT COINAGE 86-88-90 Phaneromenis Str, Tel: 22128157 The history of Cyprus from the time coins were first minted, 2600 years ago to the present is brought to life by more than 500 coins arranged into nine historical periods exhibited in twenty-three display cases. The presentation begins with coinage from the Cyprus City Kingdoms (6th-4th centuries B.C.) and ends with the Republic of Cyprus (1960). Opening hours: Daily 10:00-19:00

MUSEUMS OF THE PANCYPRIAN GYMNASIUM THE LEVENTIS MUNICIPAL MUSEUM OF NICOSIA Agiou Ioannou and Thiseos Streets, Old Nicosia EUROPEAN MUSEUM OF THE YEAR AWARD, 1991 The Museums of The Pancyprian Gymnasium are open to 17 Hippocrates Str (Laiki Yitonia), visitors of all ages and interests. Tel: 22661475, 22671997 Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday The city’s award winning historical museum hosts the 09:00 – 15:30 history of Nicosia from its origins around 4.000 B.C. up Wednesday 09:00am – 17:00 Saturday 09:00 – 13:00 until today. The Museum is named after its benefactor Tel: 22466014, E-Mail: [email protected] the Anastasios G. Leventis Foundation. all the exhibits Free Entrance were collected after the establishment of the Museum in 1984. Periodical exhibitions, special educational pro- THE NATIONAL STRUGGLE (EOKA) MUSEUM grams and many other events are held regularly in the Arch. Kyprianos Square, Tel: 22305878 Museum. The Association of The Friends of The Museum The Museum is located in the square near the Archbish- runs “The Shop” selling books, replicas and other gifts. opric. The museum displays documents, photographic Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-16:30 material, personal belongings of the heroes and other memorabilia related to the struggle against British Rule. THE LOUKIA AND MICHAEL ZAMPELAS ART MUSEUM Publications available at the museum include “A Brief 27 Arch. Makarios III Avenue (Pentadromos), History of the liberation struggle of EOKA (1955-1959)” by Kaimakli, tel: 22456098 Andreas Varnavas, Nicosia 2000, 100 pages. The same The new Αrt Μuseum aspires to play a pivotal role in the publication is also available in Spanish. cultural and social happenings of the city. Apart from its Opening hours: Monday-Friday 8:00-14:00, Thursday permanent collection of works by Cypriot artists, the Gal- 15:30-17:30 lery hosts temporary exhibitions by Cypriot and foreign (no afternoons in July & August) artists. The Museum aims to highlight the works of all Cypriot artists and organise events promoting arts and THE HOUSE OF HADJIGEORGAKIS KORNESIOS – culture. It also offers original educational programmes ETHNOLOGICAL MUSEUM for families and students of all ages. Located in one of 20 Patriarchou Grigoriou, Tel: 22305316 Nicosia’s oldest suburbs, the Museum is an oasis of cul- ture, and an educational as well as recreational destina- A most imposing example of traditional urban architec- tion for young and old. ture of the 18th century. It was the residence of Hadjigeor- Opening hours: Tuesday-Friday: 10:00-13:00, 16:00-20:00 gakis, the Dragoman to the Ottoman Port. The successful Saturday-Sunday: 10:00-16:00 restoration won the 1988 Europa Nostra Award. Monday: Closed. Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 8:30-15:30

8 Nicosia this Month

9 WHERE TO GO

CULTURAL CENTRES Once known as “Porta Guliana” in honour of the ar- chitect of the city-wall project, it was the strongest & ART GALLERIES and most elaborate, but also the lowest of the three BANK OF CYPRUS CULTURAL FOUNDATION gates. The unique feature of this structure was re- 86-88-90, Phaneromenis Str, stored by the Municipality of Nicosia, as a Cultural Tel: 22128157, www.boccf.org Centre, and was awarded the prestigious “Europa Nostra” medal by the International Federation of As- The Cultural Foundation is permanently housed in sociations for the Protection of European Culture and the old administrative headquarters of the Bank of Natural Heritage. The Centre hosts exhibitions, con- Cyprus, near the Phaneromeni Church, in the old ferences, lectures, music events, dance and theatre town of Nicosia, within the Venetian walls. It houses performances. the Museum of the George and Nefeli Giabra Pierides Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-13:00 - 16:00-19:00 Collection (donated by Clio and Solon Triantafyllides), the Agora (the Foundation’s shop) and the Cultural THE LAIKI BANK CULTURAL CENTRE Foundation’s lecture hall. In the courtyard of the build- ing, there is an open air theatre where musical and BYRON AVENUE MUSEUM theatrical performances are staged. 32 Byron Avenue, Tel.: 22718605, Opening hours: Daily 10:00-19:00 Email: [email protected] The exhibition “Beyond dress codes” presents 140 CHRYSALINIOTISSA MULTICRAFT CENTRE original designs by illustrator Gisis Papageorgiou, 2, Demonaktos Str, Tel: 22347465 with the theme of traditional attire in the Greek and The Centre is located in a particularly attractive area of Cypriot area, as well as 40 original creations by mod- traditional character – in the walled city. Eight work- ern acclaimed fashion designers: Jean Paul Gaultier, shops and a coffee shop are placed around a central John Galliano, Sophia Kokosalaki, Angelos Bratis, courtyard in a building which follows the design of a Dimitris Dassios, Yiorgos Eleftheriades, Parthenis, traditional Inn. Atelier Loukia, MiRo, Mastory/Motwary, Ioannis Guia, Opening hours: Monday-Friday 10:00-13:00, 15:00-18:00 Thanos Kyriakides, Deux Hommes, also including creations by 20 Cypriot fashion designers. CYPRUS HANDICRAFT CENTRE Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 10:00-13:00 & 16:00- 186, Athalassa Avenue,Tel: 22305024 20:00 and Saturday: 10:00-14:00 The Cyprus Handicraft Centre on Athalassa Avenue (at the entrance of the new part of the city) provides items of THE MUNICIPAL ARTS CENTER all kinds of traditional handicrafts. An excellent opportu- Associated with the Pierides Museum nity not only to buy Cypriot handicrafts, but also to watch of Contemporary Art the traditional skills and techniques of the artisans. 19, Apostolou Varnava Str. Tel: 22797400 Opening hours: The old Power House has been transformed into Cy- Summer (15/6-15/9): Monday-Friday 7:30-14:00, 17:00-19:30, prus’ most avantgarde centre for contemporary art. It Wednesday 7:30-14:00, Saturday 8:00-13:00 Winter: Monday-Friday 7:30-17:30, Wednesday 7:30-14:00, hosts prestigious exhibitions from home and abroad. It Saturday 8:00-13:00 houses an Art Library, a restaurant, a coffee shop and a gift shop selling books, posters, replicas, souvenirs, FAMAGUSTA GATE crafts and artworks. THE MUNICIPAL CULTURAL CENTRE Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10.00-3.00, 17.00-23.00 Athinon Avenue, Tel: 22430877 Sunday 10.00-16.00

10 Nicosia this Month

11 USEFUL INFORMATION

Airports LARNAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ...... 77778833 (49km from Nicosia) PAPHOS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT...... 77778833 (146km from Nicosia) Ports ...... 25819200 LARNAKA ...... 24815225 Emergencies PAPHOS ...... 26946840 POLICE/FIRE BRIGADE/FIRST AID/AMBULANCE ...... 112 FOREST FIRE REPORTS ...... 1407 Public Transport 77 77 77 55 The bus terminal is at Solomos Square, in the centre of Services the city. Buses run to all destinations in the city and the GENERAL HOSPITAL ...... 22603000 suburbs from 5.30 to 18.15, every half an hour. They are MAKARIOS HOSPITAL ...... 22405000 more frequent at peak hours (7.15 last itinerary). APOLLONIO PRIVATE HOSPITAL LTD ...... 22469000 There are also the Yellow Buses of Nicosia Municipality EVANGELISTRIA MEDICAL CENTRE ...... 22410100 with regular itineraries in the centre of the city. Starting ARETAIEION HOSPITAL ...... 22200300 point: Solomos Square. The service is free. ADVISORY BUREAU ON AIDS ...... 22305155 SUPPORT AGAINST DRUGS ABUSE ...... 1410 OVERNIGHT PHARMACIES ...... 90901412 DOCTORS ON CALL ...... 90901432 POLICE ...... 22802020/1460 ELECTRICITY FAULTS ...... 1800

Useful Telephones CYPRUS TOURISM ORGANIZATION-CTO Head Office: 19, Limassol Avenue ...... 22691100 TOURIST INFORMATION, Laiki Yitonia ...... 22674264 NICOSIA MUNICIPALITY, Eleftheria Square...... 22797000 IMMIGRATION OFFICE, Government-Complex Bldg ...... 22305458 Country bus services CYPRUS BROADCASTING CORPORATION, Timed to bring rural residents and their produce to the ...... 22422231 market early in the morning returning about midday when business is done. Telephone Services Intercity Service Taxi operate regularly and frequently NATIONAL DIRECTORY ENQUIRIES ...... 11892 (every half an hour) between the main towns. The first INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORY ENQUIRIES taxi leaves at 6.00 and the last at 18.00 (Sat. & Sun. at (country codes, trunk codes, rates) ...... 11894 7.00 until 17.00). The last taxi leaves at 6.00. Seats may be INTERNATIONAL CALLS (through operator)..... 80000198 booked in advance. Taxis run on time, pick you up at your hotel or private address, and take you to your destination, EXACT TIME...... English 1893 / Greek 1895 along with other passengers. TELEGRAMS BY PHONE ...... 80000196 FAULTS REPORT...... 80000197 FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: CUSTOMER CARE CALL CENTRE ...... 132 TRAVEL EXPRESS ...... 22767600, 77777474

12 Nicosia this Month

Shopping in Nicosia Intercity Buses The main shopping areas in Nicosia are Arch. Maka- NICOSIA-LARNAKA AIRPORT rios Avenue, parallel to it Stasikratous Street, and the Kyrenias Ave., behind Melconian – Opposite Police area around the in the old city, including Headquarters the well know Laiki Yitonia (Folk Neighbourhood). In For information please Tel: 77771477 or 24008718. addition to shopping for handicrafts, embroidery, pot- NICOSIA-LIMASSOL tery and other local made items, visitors to Nicosia NICOSIA (from Solomos Square) might like to take advantage of the capital’s modern LIMASSOL (from Municipality Market Parking Place) commercial centres to buy such items as the latest ROUTE: Limassol Municipality Market Parking Place Sea design fashions, prescription eye wear, perfumes front, Road up to Saint Raphael Hotel, Chirokitia, Kofinou, and liqueurs, many of which are less costly here Mosfiloti, , , Nicosia, Makarios Avenue, Solo- than in Europe. mos Square. Spend a day window shopping at any of the numer- For information concerning timetables and fees please ous international brand stores and local boutiques on contact: Tel: 22665814 Makarios Avenue or visit one of the local shopping NICOSIA-Larnaka Please contact Tel: 24643492 centres such as Galaxias, City Plaza and Capital. Also take the time to visit Stasikratous Street, a BANKS prime location of Nicosia which is probably the most Banking Hours for the public exclusive and stylish street in Cyprus, a haven for top MONDAY: 08:30-13:30 15:15-16:45 fashion brand stores and exclusive boutiques. With TUESDAY-FRIDAY: 08:30-13:30 over 60 stores on Stasikratous and an additional 30 No afternoon service is provided in May, June, July, Au- on its adjacent Mnasiadou Street, you can spend an gust and September except in centrally located branches. entire day here and shop till you drop. And if you get tired from shopping or suddenly feel hungry, you can Shopping hours relax at one of the numerous trendy cafes, bars and Winter Period (1 November – 31 March) restaurants on the two streets. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday until 7:00pm / If you follow Makarios Avenue until the end and then Wednesday until 14:00 / Saturday until 15:00, Sunday turn right, you will get to Eleftheria Square (under con- closed. struction) which leads to the old town centre. Most of Summer Period (1 April – 31 October) the shopping area in the old part of Nicosia is now pe- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, until 20:00 / Wednes- destrianised so it is easy to ramble through its zigzag day until 15:00 / Saturday until 19:30, Sunday closed. streets, especially in Laiki Yitonia which is of particular Most shops in the walled city are open on Sundays interest to travelers who want a taste of Cypriot culture. as well. Laiki Yitonia is a renovated eighteenth century en- clave where local artisans and craftsmen display their wares along cobblestone lanes. Here too bou- gainvillea laced restaurants beckon with the aroma of roast lamb and Greek coffee. It is a good idea to shop around before buying and once you begin you will realise just how much there is to see. Take your time and relax while shopping. From shoes to spectacles to clothes, you are bound to find something to suit your taste and pocket and at the same time you will discover a little of the daily life in the capital.

13 WALKS

WALKING AROUND THE VENETIAN WALLS

2 km route from the Flatro Bastion in the eastern part KAIMAKLI AND PALLOURIOTISSA: of the city to the Ledra Palace Crossing in the western THE PAST RESTORED part (along the Green Line). BUS AND WALKING TOUR ... AND IT’S WELL WORTH THE EXPERIENCE! WALKING TOURS OF NICOSIA Every Monday GET TO KNOW THE CAPITAL BY WALKING Visitors are taken to discover the scenic “village” within Within the framework of wider efforts to get foreign visi- the Nicosia Municipality, Kaimakli, as well as the Pal- tors better acquainted with the old city within the walls, louriotissa community. In both places the old nucleus the Lefkosia (Nicosia) Municipality established a series of is well-known for its listed buildings, some of the most thematic walking tours which date back to 1987. These distinctive examples of late 19th century and early 20th tours have been reorganized to present various new as- century domestic architecture, built by the renowned pects of the old city, as well as the city outside the walls. master craftsmen of Nicosia. All tours are guided and in English. A city like Lefkosia Throughout the tour, visitors have the opportunity to (Nicosia) with its 5000 year-long history has much to of- visit the Loukia & Michael Zambelas Art Museum, fer. By walking, one gets a better feel for the place and the traditional listed houses along Vassileos Pavlou its atmosphere, then and now, and a better understand- Street, the Agia Barbara Church, as well as the reno- ing of its continual cultural development. This is the phi- vated cultural centre in an old mill at Myloi. A walk losophy upon which these walking tours of Nicosia are around the brick-paved roads of Pallouriotissa is also based. included.

14 Nicosia this Month

The Walls In Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, we can still see a fine example of a medieval wall, encircling the older part of the City with a periphery of about three miles. The wall, designed by the military engineer Julio Savorgnano, was built between 1567 and 1570, when the Venetians expected a Turkish invasion of Cyprus to occur after a holy vow was taken by the Ottoman Sultan Selim, to fulfill what he saw as his duty to capture the island. A more fragile circuit of walls built by the Lusignan rulers of Cyprus was torn down, to be replaced by Savorgnano’s construction, providing a shortened DISCOVER THE OLD TOWN AND ITS WALLS defence perimeter of just one mile. This involved (tour within the walls) destroying most of the Lusignan city, a sacrifice that Every Thursday was clearly considered worthwhile. The Nicosia Walking Tour aims to provide an overall pic- The new wall contained eleven bastions, named af- ture of the city within the walls and how it has evolved ter Venetian officials and Cypriot nobles, and three with the passing of time and historical events, especially gates. Despite the warning served by the Sultan, its development from the Medieval times to the present, the walls were still incomplete by the time the in- through architecture. Visitors also have the chance to vading force landed. The base of the wall was con- visit workshops and shops, where craftsmen still fab- structed in stone, but the upper part of the wall was ricate products the traditional way: candle makers, a little more than glorified earthworks. A planned blacksmiths, chair makers, cobblers, coppersmiths and moat was also abandoned, the replacement trench tailors, are just a few of the many disappearing trades was not deep enough, and the walls also lacked covered by the tour. essential internal support. The Venetians boasted Visitors also witness the ongoing efforts to revitalize the that the wall could withstand a two year siege. In Chrysaliniotissa neighbourhood under the Nicosia Mas- fact, it survived less than fifty days of assault. ter Plan: the renovation of the old and the construction of A Turkish force of ten thousand assembled in the new buildings; young families moving in, breathing new life into an area that had lain derelict after the Turkish plain surrounding Nicosia on July 24, 1570, and invasion of 1974. started hurling artillery shells at the shaky edifice. These guided tours are offered free of charge by the An all night bombardment, followed by a coordi- Municipality of Nicosia and are organised in association nated assault on four of the bastions, precipitated with the Cyprus Tourism Organisation and the Cyprus the end on September 9. Over twenty thousand Tourist Guides Association. The starting and ending point people were slaughtered in the ensuing bloodbath of the walks is the: Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) and the Turkish troops were allowed to loot for Information Office, Aristokyprou 11, Laiki Yitonia, (East of three days. Eleftheria Square), tel.: 22674264. Eighty years of Venetian rule were at an end, to be replaced by a Turkish occupation destined to Each tour lasts not more than two hours and 45 min- survive more than two centuries. Today the walls utes, including a half-hour break for refreshments. Par- are in a fairly good condition and the three gates ticipants are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes preserved, especially the one which in the old and light clothes for all walking tours. A hat is also rec- days connected the city with the eastern part of ommended during summer months. the island.

15 EXCURSIONS by car

Alona village The village of Alona is situated on the slopes of a beautiful Troodos valley between the hilltops of Madari and Papoutsa, at a height of 1,100 metres. The timeless charm of the little cobbled streets and the traditional stone-built houses so typi- cal of local folk architecture awaken nostalgia for the past.

Agia Varvara village Proto-Industrial Museum Phikardou village To arrange a visit please contact: Tel: 22521715 The whole village has been declared an ancient monument The early industrial workshop of Agia Varvara is unique in order to preserve architecture of the 19th to early 20th in Cyprus. It combines the traditional house with the century houses. place of work. The ingenunity of the owner led to the es- tablishment of a pioneering workshop using the primi- Village tive means of the 1920s. Nicosia to Troodos Road. Kakopetria lies in the Solea val- ley 700m above sea-level amongst orchards and groves of Dali poplars. Parts of the old village have been restored. About 20km south of Nicosia, off the Nicosia - / Limassol motorway. Excavations of Ancient Idalion, one of the ancient city-kingdoms of Cyprus are currently taking An excellent destination, sitting at an altitude of 1200m, place in the town of Dali. ideal for all ages and for all seasons. The village boasts ten churches including the Church of Archangel Michael which Panagia Chrysospiliotissa has been designated as an UNESCO site. Also hosted in the Near Deftera village, 11 km southwest of Nicosia. Church village are two excellent museum collections – the Byzan- dedicated to “Our Lady of the Golden Cave” dating back to tine and the Folk Museums. early Christian period. Religious fair near the church on 15th August, name day of the Virgin Mary. The church of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis Lies about 5 km to the north of Kakopetria. It is covered with Tamassos murals dating from the 11th to the 17th century and is con- village, 20 km southwest of Nicosia. A rich city- sidered one of the most interesting Byzantine churches on kingdom in ancient Cyprus, renowned for its copper mines. the island. Excavations have brought to light the Royal Tombs and cop- per workshops associated with Aphrodite-Astarte. Stavrovouni Monastery Perched on a rocky peak 750m above sea-level. Stavrovou- Agios Iraklidios Convent ni means Mountain of the Cross. Women are not allowed in Nearby Tamassos (0.5 km from Royal Tombs) allows or- the monastery, though men may visit daily, except on Green ganised groups to visit on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thurs- Monday and the following day. days from 9:00 to 12:00. Individuals can visit every day. Kalopanayiotis, Moutoulas Macheras Monastery These villages are famous for their table-water and sulphur 41 km south of Nicosia, through Deftera and Pera villages. springs and also the cherry orchards in which they nestle. Founded by two monks in 1148, when an icon of the Virgin The church of Saint John Lampadistis, in Kalopanayiotis has Mary was found in a nearby cave. excellent frescoes of the 13th and 15th centuries.

16

Cultural Events

1 & 8 June 11:00 am, 5 June 18:30, 3 July 18:30, 13 July 11:00 am. Special tours (by Dr Eleni Nikita) Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia, 15-17 Hyppocratous Street in Laiki Yitonia, Nicosia. Tuesday – Sunday 10:00-16:30. Information: www.leventismuseum. org.cy, 22661475.

3 June 20:30 Choral Festival A choral festival is being orgnaised on the occasion of the visit of the philhellenic choir Gresk kor Trondheim from Norway. The choirs of Nisou, , Ilektrikis (Evmmelia) and the Municipality of Yermasoyia 1 June – 6 October will take part. Greek repertoire. “The world of Cyprus” Famagusta Gate, Athena Avenue, Nicosia. Free Entry. The famous painting composition by Adamantios Diamanti, “The world of Cyprus” is exhibited at the 5-16 June 2013 Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia. The work was created between 1967 and 1972, at Garth Frost painting exhibition Diamanti’s workshop on Onasagorou Street in Ni- Gloria Gallery presents a cosia. It was exhibited by the artist himself in 1975 painting exhibition with new in Nicosia a few months after the Turkish invasion, works by Garth Frost. The then at the National Gallery in Athens, before being opening will take place on acquired by the Teloglion Foundation of Art of the Wednesday, 5 June, at 19:30. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The painting ar- Garth Frost was born in New rived in Cyprus following a decision by the Teloglion Zealand in 1948 but lived Foundation, within the framework of an agreement in Australia most of his life, with the A. G. Leventis Foundation to exchange ex- where he worked as a stage hibits, and artworks, educational and research pro- designer for the theatre, pup- grammes with the Leventis Gallery and the Leventis pet theatre and shadow theatre. Within the framework of Municipal Museum of Nicosia. this artistic activity, he created along with Demetris Mihlis The return of the artwork to its birthplace reinforces the shadow theatre “The Jumping Lemon”, which was Cyprus with the steady, non-negotiable and timeless presented in various towns and villages in Cyprus. Since values of its people, as these were depicted with 1995, he started painting more systematically. His first Diamanti’s paintbrush. exhibition in Cyprus was in 2000. In the present exhibition, In relation to the return and exhibition of A. Diaman- the artist takes inspiration from the flowers and foliage of ti’s “World of Cyprus”, Pandora’s Box is presenting the Cypriot countryside. a view of the workshop on 18 Onasagorou Street Gloria Gallery, 3 Zenon Sozou Street, Nicosia. Opening with authentic items, such as the artist’s easel, paint- hours: Monday-Friday 10:30-12:45 and 17:00-20:00, brushes and more. Saturday, 10:30-12:45. Information: 22762605, www. gloriagallery.com.

18 Nicosia this Month

June (20:30), with a concert with young composers and students (under 30 years old), with selected works. The Festival wraps with a concert by the members of the Cen- tre of Cypriot Composers on 8 June at 20:30. ARTos Foundation, 64 Agioi Omologites Street, Nicosia. Entry: €8/€5. Information: 99767003, 22445455, www. artosfoundation.org.

7, 9 June 20:30 16th European Dance Festival Organised by the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Edu- 6-8 June cation and Culture in cooperation with the Municipality of 1st Electronic Music Festival Nicosia. On 7 June, Sofia Dias & Victor Roriz (Portugal) - “A The Centre of Cypriot Composers in collaboration with Gesture is Nothing but a Threat” - 40’. On 9 June Amfid- ARTos Foundation, is organising the 1st Electronic Mu- romo - “Bushes” - 20’, Noema Dance Works - “Sounding sic Festival. The Festival opens with a lecture by Dr Haris Silence” - 15’, .pelma. - “The Shape of Necessity” - 20’. Sophocleous, entitled “Sound Perception and Psychoa- Pallas Cinema-Theatre, on the corner of Rigenis and coustics”, which will take place on 6 June (18:30). A con- Arsinoes Streets at Paphos Gate, Nicosia. Entry: €5 | For cert with works by the members of the Centre of Cypriot all shows €20 (applies to Limassol and Nicosia), free Composers follows (20:30). The Festival continues on 7 entry for pupils, students, dance professionals.

1 June 10:00 – 13:00 The biggest painting puzzle in the world The Municipality of Nicosia celebrates World Chil- dren’s Day with an event that will gather 1,000 children to piece together the biggest puzzle made of child paintings in the world (165m2), entitled “Ni- cosia unites”. The puzzle will enter the Guinness Book of World Records. The theme of “Nicosia unites” is Europe and Cyprus’ cultural heritage, through the eyes of the children. The puzzle pieces were made from artwork by Nicosia Municipality’s primary schoolchildren. Each school created its own part of the puzzle. Furthermore, each par- ticipating pupil will donate a book to a charity fair, which will take place in the future. On Makarios III Avenue, Nicosia. Makarios III Avenue will be closed off during the event, from Stasandrou Street to Evagorou Avenue.

19 Cultural Events STILL ON Until 7 June 21 June Sculpture exhibition “The Playroom”, by Elina Sophocleous. At Argo Gallery (64Ε Digenis Akritas Avenue), 22754009, www.argogallery.org. Opening hours, World Music Day Monday - Friday 10:00-13:00 and 17:00-20:00, Saturday 10:00-13:00. The Celebration of Music Until 7 June started in France in 1982 and Nordic Cinema Festival: 3 June “Vegas” (Norway 2009, 93’); 4 June “Hævnen” has now become a Euro- (In a Better World - France, Sweden 2010, 119΄), 6 June “Simon och ekarna” pean and global celebration, (Simon and the Oaks - Sweden 2011, 122΄), 7 June “Joulutarina” (Christmas present in over 100 coun- Story - Finland 2007, 83΄). English subtitles. At Cine Studio, 46 Makedonitis- tries of the five continents, sas Avenue, . Free entry. Information: 22358662. on 21 June of every year. Until 15 June Artists and creators spread their artwork across the gallery, presenting their 19:00-23:30, “The Time of work in an alternative set-up, under the supervision and aesthetic eye of Tina the Seasons”: The group Christofidou. My Art and Graft Fair, 83 Aeschylou Street. Open daily. Bout des Doigts will parade around in stilts, colourful out- Until 30 June fits, accompanied by Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”. Organised The Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia presents works by contemporary in cooperation with the Cultural Service of the Municipal- artists, who took inspiration from medieval pottery. The aim of exhibition is to ity of Nicosia. highlight the important role of medieval glazed pottery in relation to contem- Ledra street, Eleftheria Square and Faneromeni Square. porary art. The contemporary ceramic sculptures and paintings accompany the medieval ceramics, creating a dialogue between them. It is a discourse between medieval utilitarian objects, which depict scenes from medieval life, 20:30: Concert by the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra to and works of contemporary art, which come to cancel the use of the ob- mark World Music Day: Fr. Schubert: “An die Music” (To ject, but which continue to project the aesthetic values through a conceptual Music), op. 88, no. 4* (orch. A. visual framework. Participating artists: Lefteris Olympios with paintings; Nina Baltas); J. Haydn: Symphony no. 30 in C major* (Alleluia) Iacovou, Efthymios Symeou and Mary K. Seyfarth with ceramic sculptures. W. A. Mozart: arias from the operas Le Nozze di Figaro The works will be hosted in the part of the Museum where the permanent and La Finta Medieval Ceramics collection is kept (15-17 Hyppocratous Street, www. Giardinieral; L. v. Beethoven: The Consecration of the leventismuseum.org.cy). House op. 124, Overture; G. Mahler: Adagietto from Sym- Until 4 July phony no. 5; G. Puccini: “Signore, Ascolta” from Turandot, Exhibition in memory of Eleni Menelaou, whose works include all expres- “O mio babbino caro” from Gianni Schicchi and “Quando sive art forms. Through painting, sculpture, engravings and installations, she me’n vo” from La Bohème; G. Verdi: Prelude and “É turned anything she happened to come across into works of art, whether strano é strano...Sempre Libera” from La Traviata; So- this was a discarded piece of furniture, a gift wrapper or even a simple di- loist: Zoe Nicolaidou (soprano); Conductor: Alkis Baltas ary entry. At the EKATE building (9:30-20:00), 11 Peonos Street. Information: Pallas Cinema-Theatre, Paphos Gate, Nicosia. Tickets on 22466426. sale at the theatre (22410181), €12 and €7 (youths 18 - Until 21 July 26 years old and pensioners). Free for people under 18 International contemporary art program Terra Mediterranea – In Crisis, which years old. Information: 22463144, www.cyso.org.cy. is organised by the Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre and the Pierides Founda- tion. Apart from the homonymous Terra Mediterranea – In Crisis exhibition, which is taking place at the Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre (Palias Iletrikis), 4 July the project includes a second contemporary art exhibition [at Maroudias] curated by the Re Aphrodite team at the Ethnological Museum – House of t-shirt design contest Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios. T-shirt design exhibition, with democracy as its theme. Until 31 July The exhibits are the result of a competition by www. Mosaics exhibition by George Kepolas at the Byzantine Museum of Nicosia scarabeoisland.com. Competition entries by 9 June. (Archbishopric building).Information: 22430008, www.kepolasmosaics.com. Scarabeo, 4 Nikokreontos Street, Nicosia. Information: 96696669, [email protected].

20 Nicosia this Month

7-9 June 2013 1st Cyprus International Performance Art Festival

The 1st Cyprus International Performance Art Fes- Artist Alastair MacLennan, Photographer Manuel Vason. tival (CIPAF) unites renowned artists and emerg- ing new artists from all over the world, who use Performance Art as their main means of artistic expression. The Festival follows a comprehensive programme, including live performances, visual in- stallations, video projections, lectures and shows. Furthermore, there will be intensive Performance Art workshops from 29 May until 13 June. CIPAF is a thematic festival where its 1st edition fo- cuses on the theme of metamorphosis. This theme explores the process of transformation in relation to the practice of art and life itself, and the live presen- tation as a transformative experience for the artist and the viewer. CIPAF aims to introduce the compound nature of per- formance art in the local community and enhance Cy- prus’ art scene, whilst encouraging relationships with local, national and international networks.

Artists: Alastair Maclennan (Ireland/Scotland), An- dreas Pashias (Greece/Cyprus), BBB Johannes De- imling (Norway/Germany), Christina Georgiou (Cy- prus), Eru and Seven of Eglise (Alexander Rues & Dagmar I. Glausnitzer-Smith (Germany), Francesco Kiàis (Greece/Italy), Marcel Sparmann (Germany), Martine Viale (Canada), SUKA OFF – Piotr Wegrzyn- ski & Sylvia Lajbig (Poland), VestAndPage – Verena Stenke & Andrea Pagnes (Italy/Germany). Opening ceremony: Friday 7 June, 20:00.

Live Performances: 7-9 June, 20:30-23:00 (Kastel- liotissa Medieval Hall, Agios Maronas Street, Pa- 14:00-17:00 (Cultural Center of European University phos Gate), Durational Performances: 7-9 June, Cyprus, 6 Diogenous Street, Engomi). Tickets: €10 19:00-23:55 (Visual Artists House, 2 Nechrou Street, for one day, €25 festival pass / for unemployed: €5 Municipal Garden), Artists’ Talks & Presentations: for one day, €10 festival pass. Free admission for 8, 9 June, 11:00-13:00 (Cultural Center of Euro- Screenings and Artists’ Talks & Presentations. In- pean University Cyprus). Screenings: 8, 9 June, formation: www.cipafestival.com.

21