Opening on December 9 at Diatopos Gallery, I Land, the third solo exhibition of Greek Cypriot artist Melita Couta, is presenting the cartography of an improbable land. The artist is using several media, among them a series of drawings, ink on paper, in which tenuous and innumerable lines intermingle skillfully, spread their plait in various shades, and bring to our mind the memory of Atopos, a non-existing place. You can visit the exhibition up until January 15, 2010.
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Final_TextFinal_SectionsFinal_Ground Floor PlanFinal_Lower Level & Site PlanFinal_Shadow StudiesFinal_Rendering 1Final_Rendering 2Final_Rendering 3

What a night! On the 9 December 2009, the Cyprus Community Media Centre (CCMC) had its opening event at its new premises in Nicosia’s buffer zone. The centre was officially opened by three members of the eminent ‘Elders’ group, Lakhdar Brahimi, Jimmy Carter and Desmond Tutu.

Hundreds of people came along to celebrate with us, and hear directly from the Elders themselves, who were in Cyprus to support individuals and organisations seeking to build greater trust and dialogue between the communities of the island. The Elders expressed their support for the new centre, and their desire to see a positive outcome to current political negotiations.

Speaking at the event, Desmond Tutu said that Cyprus was full of untold and beautiful stories and that he hoped “the community media centre could be a vehicle for these stories to surface.” The guests, which included media professionals, artists, creatives, and members of the diplomatic community, also had the opportunity to see the work of the CCMC through multimedia installations, video projections, photographs and stories collected from across Cyprus.

Were you there? Did you have a good time? Let us know!

Desmond Tutu, Lakhdar Brahimi, Nadia Karayianni, Ilke Dagli and Jimmy Carter, 9 Dec 09.

Honorary guest Desmond Tutu, at the CCMC opening event, 9 Dec 09.

John Obi Mikel’s late mistake allows Apoel Nicosia to grab a late equaliser against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: soccer statistics. The blog is also related to: english footbal.

PPI-CY is a member of Cyprus' biggest youth network.

PeacePlayers International – Cyprus was created in 2006 through a grant from UNDP-ACT (United Nations Developement Programme – Action for Cooperation and Trust in Cyprus), and has since received funding from the UNDP in some capacity every program year, including the current one. That makes it part of a unique fraternity created by the UNDP, the Cyprus Network for Youth Development, which comprises over 10 NGO’s that specialize in everything from environmental protection, to traditional Cypriot folk dancing, to using the game of basketball to foster mutual understanding and reconciliation (That’s us!).

Earthdance will continue to bring Cypriot children together for the next two years with the help of the UNDP.

The goal of the network is “to bring together organizations and individuals from all over Cyprus…that address the needs of young people throughout the island, seeking to inspire and energize them to create a peaceful, sustainable Cyprus.” Network activities are very diverse: bicommunal summer camps, nature studies, walking tours, camping trips, overseas missions, and basketball festivals are just a few of the activities offered to the youth of Cyprus in the past six months.

Over the course of the next two years, through funding from UNDP-ACT, PPI – CY and a partner in the network, the Turkish-Cypriot NGO Hasder, will stage two massive bi-communal youth festivals centered around Earthdance, the world’s largest simultaneous peace concert. This past September, over 200 people attended PPI – CY’s portion of the festival, a bi-communal 3-on-3 tournament at the Phanaromeni School in the Old City of Nicosia. In addition to this, UNDP-ACT will provide financial support for PPI – CY to construct an outdoor basketball court in the UN-controlled buffer zone. This new court will allow PPI – CY to have its own court to use at any time and provide a shared space for PPI – CY participants to call their home.

Ledra Palace in the U.N. Buffer Zone, the future home of PPI - CY's home court.

The Cyprus Network for Youth Development has also provided opportunities for PPI – CY’s teams and participants that otherwise would not have been available to them. Four PPI – CY participants went on a bi-communal mission trip to Northern Ireland this past summer, and 15 current and former PPI – CY members attended the Doves Olympic Movement bicommunal summer camp in Agros. While we believe that basketball has a unique power to bridge divides, bicommunal experiences outside of the court undoubtedly can contribute to our ultimate goal of reconciliation.

PPI – CY thanks its partners Hasder and UNDP-ACT for continuing to provide financial assistance to our organization and helping us continue our work. We are also very thankful to be a part of the Cyprus Network For Youth Development. With a tip of our caps to our fellow Network members, we wish them all the best in their endeavors in the new year!

Having established a world-wide reputation for its commitment to excellence and for promoting classical music in Cyprus, the Pharos Arts Foundation in Nicosia is the island’s main center for quality music today. With more than 150 world class concerts over the last ten years and numerous outstanding musicians performing in the Concert Series and the annual Chamber Music Festival, the 2009/2010 winter program announced comes with no surprises. From December to the end of February 2010 expect only the best: Four unique concerts that should not be missed!
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Gangi.(*mife*) Buoni segnali dal precampionato per la Raimondi Gangi. Dopo il triangolare di Petralia Sottana, che ha visto i biancorossi vincenti contro la squadra locale e il San Giovanni Gemini dell’ex Nicola Serio, anche dal doppio confronto contro l’A.s.d. Città di Castellana sono emerse buone indicazioni per la truppa guidata da Giovanni Comito. Dopo lo 0-5 conquistato in trasferta anche in casa l’undici gangitano ha ottenuto la vittoria, seppure di misura, grazie alle reti segnate da Gennaro ed Arena, ambedue propiziate dagli assist dell’ottimo Gianluca Patti. L’anno in corso si preannuncia come quello dei graditi ritorni, dopo Pietro Mocciaro anche il centrocampista Gabriele Scavuzzo ed il bomber Francesco Puccio torneranno a vestire la maglia biancorossa, mentre voci sempre più insistenti danno per concluso l’affare Nicola Seminara, vera e propria bandiera del calcio gangitano che potrebbe tornare dopo tre stagioni a Nicosia. Novità si registrano anche nella linea verde, ai collaudati Spena P., Adinolfi, Di Grazia e Nasello si aggiungono altri due juniores classe ‘92: Francesco La Placa e Marco Brucato. Ad irrobustire l’asse di centrocampo un’altra novità: Ivano Restivo, 22 anni, figlio del mitico Totò, centrocampista di rare qualità all’epoca del torneo delle Madonie.Michele Ferraro

Manolis square. 19th Nov '09. photo: Pan. all rights reserved

Manolis square. 19th Nov '09. photo: Pan. all rights reserved

Manolis square. 19th Nov '09. photo: Pan. all rights reserve

MANOLIS SQUARE

<<I was hired to clean up these two doors because they are going to shoot an advertisement tommorow>>

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ΠΛΑΤΕΙΑ ΜΑΝΩΛΗ

<<προσλάβαν με για να καθαρίσω τες πόρτες τούτες διότι εννα γυρίσουν μια διαφήμιση αύριο δαμέ>>

sub-titled: “You know where I mean, so what does it matter what we call it?”

Place names here continue to both baffle, amuse and occasionally confuse. It isn’t unusual for a town or village to have more than one name, or variation of the spelling. Putting aside the Greek/Turkish Cyprus Problem for a moment there have been occasions where bureaucrats or politicians have decided that a place should be renamed.

So, a tourist may be happily driving along looking for signs to Paphos and instead finds signs for Pafos. In that case, and in the case of Larnaca/Larnaka, the spelling difference is so minor it may not be noticed.

When Limassol turns into Lemesos it’s a little less clear … by the time we have Nicosia becoming Lefkosia you can forgive our poor tourist for being confused. Since most tourists don’t cross the border to the occupied Turkish area in the north they are unlikely to discover that Famagusta is now Ammochostos to the Greek Cypriots whilst being Gazimaguza to Turkish Cypriots.

Probably just as well really, or they’d be heading for a lie down in a darkened room with a large brandy sour to recover.

The re-naming of those five towns was a bureaucratic decision made some time ago which was meant to return the towns to Cypriot-sounding names rather than those inflicted upon them by the pesky British during their conservatorship of the island. That the no-longer-used names pre-date British control is a small niggle best not mentioned to those who made the decision.

Putting aside that bureaucracy for a moment the re-naming is a useful reminder that here in Cyprus naming conventions can be a little bit of a movable feast.  But, with true Cypriot pragmatism as long as both parties in a conversation know what, or where, is being referred to then what exactly is the problem?

Road signs are usually dual language with the place name first in Greek, in upper case, and then in English, in lower case. Many non Greek-speaking folks find the signs useful in helping to firm up their knowledge of the Greek alphabet – at least the slightly friendlier upper case rather than the rather terrifying lower case.

But, helpfulness aside, the signage often throws up some oddities which only go to reinforce this laid back Cypriot attitude that ‘as long as we both understand …‘

For example, take this motorway sign. The signage indicates that the way to Lefkosia is off to the left. The first line, the yellow uppercase, is the Greek, the second line, in white proper case in the English.

Where are you going ... Nicosia or Lefkosia?

The Greek is fine, it says “Lefkosia”, the new name for Nicosia. But the English says Nicosia, a name that was abandoned years ago. The sign is clearly newer than that yet has a mix of old and new.

The sign directly after it has Lefkosia in both languages.  Have some sympathy for our poor confused tourist, particularly as they realise that sign #1 told them that the mysterious Nicosia/Lefkosia was 28km away only for sign #2, just a kilometer on, to say the distance is now 43km.

Lefkosia 43km?!

Is this a political snipe? Sloppy workmanship? Or does the average Cypriot really not care too much?

Between Larnaca and Limassol there is a small-ish village called Anglisides … or maybe it’s called Agkleisides. It really depends who you ask or which maps you refer to.

The roadsign makers have a slightly different take on the matter. The following two signs appear sequentially on the motorway. The third is in the village itself.  To the signmakers the solution to the problem is clear. Three (or maybe four) variants on the name, three signs. “Hey, lets use one spelling on each, then everyone is happy!”

Agkilisides

Agkleisides

Anglisides

There’s logic there Jim, but not as we know it

6 – 13 July 2008

Disclaimer
While every attempt has been made to give as up to date information as possible, all information given is subject to change. Also this document has been prepared before much of the specific information on speakers has become available. The purpose of this is so that participants can buy flights before they become prohibitively expensive; most speakers cannot confirm anything this far in advance. Finally, the use of place names and symbols is only to give an indication of a geographical location; it is in no way an expression of political opinion and any offence caused is unintended and regretted.

Aims

The aim of this trip is to explore Turkey’s efforts to join the European Union and the challenges that have arisen as a result of these efforts.  We will pay particular attention to Cyprus, as it been one of the main obstacles to European integration.  In order to fully understand Turkey’s position we will explore the cultural tendencies and current political climate through a series of meetings and excursions.

Nature of the Trip

The trip will be composed of a series of meetings with political figures, journalists, IO, NGOs and academics, usually including a short talk followed by a question and answer session. In some situations a tour may be included. All meetings will be compulsory; this is very much an academic and not a leisure trip, although there will of course be free time to explore local sites and culture. In order to keep costs down, accommodation will largely be in hostels, possibly in dormitories, and travel will be a mix of flights and trains. There will be pre-departure socials, info-sessions with LSE academics and film showings.

Costs

The total cost of the trip will hopefully be below £400 (potentially well below) including flights and all other expenses. Some meals will probably be included, however this cost also includes the need to bring some money for meals, taxis, and entrance fees for site seeing during free time etc.

Brazilian artist Rosângela Rennó’s work is predominantly photography-based, although she rarely takes photographs of her subjects. Instead, she recasts and transforms appropriated photographic images. In the past, she presented anonymous portraits compiled from existing photographs – photographers’ studios and even photographs of prisoners’ tattoos. From November 23 to January 15, 2010, the Pharos Centre for Contemporary Art in Nicosia is presenting an exhibition of her works, titled Ring, as part of the Brazilian Culture Month 2009.
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The famed Greek-Cypriot architect Zenon Sierepeklis presents his most important architectural projects alongside works of art from different fields in an exhibition titled Through a Broken Mirror at the Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre. Sierepeklis’ architectural drawings are displayed next to the sculptures and his photographic work, while artworks are complemented by extracts from interviews that the architect gave to various publications. You can visit the exhibition until January 17, 2010.
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Nicosia Water Tanks

Viime keväänä aloimme etsiä hyviä sähköisiä Kyproksen karttoja, jotka

• näyttäisivät kadut (myös kylissä, ei vain kaupungeissa)
• soveltuisivat käyttöön sekä web-selaimella että navigaattorilla (erityisesti Nokian kännyköillä, joissa on navigointimahdollisuus)

Paras löytö oli Open street maps (http://www.openstreetmap.org) joka on varsin kattava jo nyt ja näyttää teiden lisäksi  täydentyy sitä mukaa kun käyttäjät kulkevat navigaattoreidensa kanssa esim. Kyproksella ja täydentävät kulkemansa reittitiedot karttapalveluun.

Kuvassa esimerkki Open street mapistä Nikosian vanhasta kaupungista. Klikkaamalla kuvaa se aukeaa isommaksi.

Kartassa näkyy myös esim. ravintoloita, nähtävyyksiä ja parkkipaikoja sekä tieto yksisuuntaisista kaduista.

Testasimme ko. karttapalvelua kaikissa Kyproksen etelä-puolen kaupungeissa sekä lukuisissa kylissä ja Troodos-vuoristossa. Lisäsimme samalla puuttuvia katuja ja paikkoja kartalle.

european university. 4th Nov '09. Photo: Pan. all rights reserved

european university. 4th Nov '09. Photo: Pan. all rights reserved

european university. 4th Nov '09. Photo: Pan. all rights reserved

Literary event in the memory of Giannis Ritsos coinciding with the publishing of the 5th vol. of the journal of literature ‘cadences’.

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Λογοτεχνική εκδήλωση στο Ευρωπαϊκό πανεπιστήμιο αφιερωμένη στη μνήμη του Γιάννη Ρίτσου και στην 5η έκδοση του περιοδικού ‘cadences’.

Celebrating its 8th year, the Pantheon International Xperimental Film & Animation Festival continues to pioneer within the experimental scene of Cyprus, while the Pantheon Cultural Association in Nicosia strives to enforce its annual festival into a globally well established entity which will continue to keep standards and a niche to those interested in the field. The 8th edition of the festival was embraced by 136 artists and runs for two days, November 27 and 28, at the Pantheon Gallery and Pantheon Tritos on the third floor.
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23 October was the kickoff party for the Jumpstart Peace Bus Tour. The CCMC has put together an audioslideshow of the events, which you can watch below. Activities took place on both sides of Ledra / Lokmacı street in Nicosia, and was organised by Youth Centre Union and Future Worlds Center with support from the European Union. There were jazz and rock acts, fire dancing, a drumming circle and street juggling. For more information on the peace bus tours that will be travelling around Cyprus soon, please visit www.jumpstart-cyprus.org