The father of Ayia Napa
In the 86-year-old man who built the tourist town’s first hotel after being entranced by the spot as a child, THEO PANAYIDES meets a man with a vision that ...
Eco-consultant is a joyful riot of passion and policies
In an environmental engineer and activist THEO PANAYIDES finds an honest woman who brings dynamism and joy to her battles, from fighting sexism to money as the agenda
You can ...
A gay Palestinian in a world ruled by power
THEO PANAYIDES meets a gay Palestinian man who has just written his life story. He finds someone who has lived a charmed but traumatic life, who had dealt with feeling ...
Poet’s love affair with the power of words
In a well-known Turkish Cypriot writer from a Paphos village, AGNIESZKA RAKOCZY finds a rebel intent on adventure whose unforgiving analysis of the island’s political situation is driven by ...
Sky really is the limit for young astrophysicist
THEO PANAYIDES meets a sharp mind probing the future of the universe in a bright – in a literal and intellectual sense – astrophysicist who is currently living life long distance, both ...
Scientist finds her life transformed by Covid
In a member of the government coronavirus advisory team THEO PANAYIDES finds a woman who dreamt of being a superhero who, despite seeing her personal life swallowed by Covid, is ...
Trio Frisson singer says it’s all about the music
Music is not only the word, but almost a magical force for one musician on the island. THEO PANAYIDES meets a restless soul who finds solidarity in jamming
We open ...
Prolific actor goes from Spielberg to Shakespeare
THEO PANAYIDES meets TV, West End and Hollywood actor Kevork Malikyan, a ‘little Armenian boy’ from Turkey
Steven Spielberg once described Kevork Malikyan’s face as a combination of Al ...
Brazilian pastor offers hope for the hopeless
THEO PANAYIDES meets an ordinary-looking couple in their 30s living their lives by 2,000-year-old precepts
It doesn’t even look like a church. One hundred metres from Eleftheria Square in ...
Career politician with a plan for action
In the new Akel leader, THEO PANAYIDES finds a true believer in changing the world who has happily spent his life in politics, despite it losing its charm
The headquarters ...
The joys and trials of an animal lover
The outspoken woman seen on Facebook near the flames of the recent large fire tells THEO PANAYIDES about the dire situation facing stray animals in Cyprus
The pictures were shared ...
Ordinary craftsman personifies old way of life
In a 92-year-old cobbler THEO PANAYIDES finds a craftsman with a love of football who likes to keep it simple
Andreas Vasiliou is an ordinary man – but he stands out ...
Veteran journalist’s coming-of-age journey
In a columnist and novelist THEO PANAYIDES finds a man dedicated to both realism and magic, a control freak with a passion for theatre and travel
Back in the day, ...
Restaurant owner wants ‘to bring Africa to Cyprus’
Maureen Chacholiades came to Cyprus as a student in 2006 and has now become the bossy but concerned ‘mama’ of the Cameroonian community. By Theo Panayides
Ogbono soup, says the menu, “...
Creative hairdresser knows what he wants in life
In the man behind hairdressing experience Blow, THEO PANAYIDES meets someone who is effortlessly friendly and gives off a cool vibe as he tries to make everyone feel good
The ...
A matter of control for Cyprus’ most successful rally driver
From an eight-year-old joyrider to a owner of a car museum, life for one Limassol man has featured more than motor vehicles as he is also a successful businessman. THEO ...
Low-key artist with a ‘compulsion’ to paint
The latest series of works by Zenon Jepras reflect his lockdown. THEO PANAYIDES meets a man who puts his success down to luck and compulsion
Can we say self-deprecating? Zenon ...
Swedish heavy-metal star with a head for business
After four years in Limassol, the bass player and manager of one of Europe’s three largest rock bands remains resourceful and relentless. THEO PANAYIDES meets a man who has ...
Street artist in love with Nicosia
A street art project in the north tells the tales of people who have coloured the city. AGNIESZKA RAKOCZY meets a man determined to use art to reach people and ...
Natural therapist tackles mind, body and spirit
THEO PANAYIDES meets a man who approaches life holistically believing it to be the best way to fight coronavirus and any other troubles, both mental and physical
Marios Smyrnios reminisces, ...
Singer-songwriter juggles a day job and a global audience
THEO PANAYIDES meets a girl writing songs on her piano, when she isn’t working at the bank, who has just released her second album. Young at heart and delicate, ...
Famous actress who finds being alone a blessing
THEO PANAYIDES meets a star of stage and small screen for 40 years who is a confirmed introvert but is now standing for MP – not because it was a long-held dream, ...
Turkish Cypriot collector aims to leave his mark
In a man who has cleaned up a cemetary in Bellapais and is the father of casinos in the north, AGNIESZKA RAKOCZY finds a man frustrated by the unchanging view ...
Banker turned kebab-maker now in the business of having fun
In a former bank employee who now runs a kebab shop, THEO PANAYIDES finds a bon viveur who is also bookish, a character who likes to drink and has a ...