Towers
THE OLYMPIC RESIDENCE’S EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE
FROM CYPRUS TO HOLLYWOOD
Actress Daphne Alexander sheds light on the path her career has taken
ISSN 2547-9075 (PRINT) - ISSN 2547-9083 (ONLINE)
ΙSSUE 1 SPRING / SUMMER 2018
Z.G.H Watches & Jewellery Ltd 33 Georgiοu A’ Street, Pecora Beach House, Limassol – Cyprus Tel: +357 25 323168
www.zachariaswatches.com
WWW.TIMINIS.COM NICOSIA
22762346
LIMASSOL 25357373 LARNACA
24657605
PAPHOS
26946776
AYIA NAPA 23725999
Total look, CHANEL
OFFICIAL CORNER IN CYPRUS TIFFANY BOUTIQUES Nicosia: 77, Makarios Avenue. Tel.: +357 22 374070 Limassol: Olympic Residence Complex, 28th October Avenue. Tel.: +357 25 582777 www.tiffany-boutique.com
tiffanyboutiquecy
TiffanyBoutiqueCyprus
Total look, SARA BATTAGLIA. Bag and shoes, CHANEL
OSCAR DE LA RENTA MISSONI EMILIO PUCCI PHILOSOPHY MARCHESA NOTTE PREEN RED VALENTINO SARA BATTAGLIA KARL LAGERFELD MELISSA ODABASH
index
Towers
ΙSSUE 1 - SPRING / SUMMER 2018
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At your service The team of Olympic Residence
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Living a life of luxury A day at Olympic Residence
32
Must visit Culture on the island
36
Cover Story Actress Daphne Alexander sheds light on the path her career has taken
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Stopping time Beauty care tips on how to maintain youthful and flawless skin
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A.G.Leventis Gallery Showcasing European art and its history
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Fashion Trends Spring/Summer ‘18 Style updates, best buys and hot news from planet fashion
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Circle of love Photographer Marina Shacola uses her work for a local charity
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Invest in Cyprus
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TOWERS ISSUE 2 - AUTUMN / WINTER 2018 The next edition of the magazine is scheduled for publication in October. To reserve advertising space please contact marketing@mcmedia.com.cy or info@alfa.com.cy
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editorial By Demetris Tsangaras Managing Director M.G.Olympic Residences Management Ltd, Towers Condo Services Ltd, Como Restaurants Ltd
welcome message I would like to welcome you to the first edition of Towers magazine which aspires to be a useful guide on life and people in Cyprus for Olympic Residence residents, tenants and not only. The luxurious publication aims to take the already successful provision of the highest standards of service and customer satisfaction one step further. The Olympic Residence management team has been accredited with ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18001 certification – an invaluable Quality, Healthy and Safety Management System standard – and lives up to its reputation. On behalf of the management team, I do hope that you will find it useful, interesting and enjoyable.
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meet the team 1. SAADI AMRI AMINE Head Security 2. CHRISTOFOROS GEORGIOU Night Manager 3. STAMATIS AGKELKOS Head of Maintenance 4. ELISAVET XENOFONTOS Housekeeper 5. GIORGOS ARISTOTELOUS Personal Fitness and Swimming Coach 6. MICHAEL KRAMER Como osteria Executive Chef 7. KONSTANTINOS CHRISTOU Como Osteria Restaurant Manager 8. DESPO TOUNIA Executive Housekeeper 9. ANTONIS C. CHRISTOU Facilities Manager 10. DEMETRIS A. TSANGARAS - MIH Managing Director
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11. ANTONY ROUSSOS Guest Services Manager 12. CHRISTINA CHARALAMPOUS Chief Accountant 13. STELIOS KOUSIAPPAS Duty Manager 14. ANTIGONI TSANGARI Accountant 15. MARIANNA NIKOLAOU Executive Secretary 16. MARIA YIANGOU Sport and Fitness Supervisor 17. LARISA VIDRASCO The O Hair and Beauty Salon Supervisor 18. MICHAELA SERB Olympic Spa Supervisor 19. HRISTINA HRISTOVA Como Osteria Service Supervisor
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at your service
A day at Olympic Residence
Living a life Setting Olympic standards for residence
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of luxury
Walking into an Olympic Residence apartment on Limassol’s breathtaking beachfront all you can think of is that this must be paradise on earth. And that you could live there forever. By Annie Charalambous S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 018 11
LIVING A LIFE OF LUXURY A DAY AT OLYMPIC RESIDENCE
T
he Mediterranean island’s luxury condominium - open since 2011 - has certainly set the highest standards for a new concept of living. I recently spent a weekend there at the invitation of Olympic Residence’s head of management team Demetris Tsangaras. He explained that a condominium is the type of accommodation where the owner enjoys all the facilities of a five-star hotel during their stay. And this is exactly what has been achieved. There is no need to worry about breakfast, lunch, dinner, grocery shopping, daily cleaning or the housekeeping. Just like any five-star hotel or exclusive resort, every service is provided for. It is no surprise that all 110 apartments of the two 20-floor towers are sold. But – thankfully - some are available to rent for selective customers who visit year-round from all over the world, including Cyprus. Staying at a tastefully decorated apartment on the 12th floor was a dream come true. And not only because of the million-dollar views of the Limassol coastline. Limassol’s high-end marina, landmark old port, idyllic castle area and vibrant old town are all within walking distance. Situated in the heart of the business centre, this exclusive residence is just around the corner from high-class shops. Not to mention that a shopping piazza and top art gallery, situated on the ground level of Olympic Residence, provide all that a demanding shopper could ask for. There you can find designer names and accessories such as Versace, Chanel, Sonja Rykiel, Dolce & Gabbana, Vera Wang, Burberry, Frank Mueller, Faberge, Loewe, Furla, Gianfranco Ferre and Max & Co. But let’s take this grand experience one step at a time. A bottle of red wine and a platter of fresh fruit on the dining table is the first ‘official’ welcome. 12 TO W E R S #1
There is no need to worry about breakfast, lunch, dinner, grocery shopping, daily cleaning or the housekeeping. Just like any five-star hotel or exclusive resort, every service is provided for.
Then indulge yourself with the management’s very thoughtful touches – such as luxury amenities on your bedside and the en-suite’s Molton Brown soap and body wash to complete a superb high-pressure shower experience. Twenty-four-hour room service is provided by Como restaurant - on the ground floor. What better way to start your day than with a mouth-watering Italian omelette or eggs benedict served with coffee or tea. Or go light and healthy with yogurt and muesli – especially if you plan to go for an early-morning rejuvenating swim. This is where your dilemma begins; since you have the choice of both an indoor and an outdoor pool. Then again you could simply walk out of the building and jump in the sea without worrying about available sunbeds and clean beach towels since this is all taken care of. While sipping a cocktail or a freshlysqueezed juice on your sunbed, there is the option to adjust your apartment’s curtains or switch on the air-conditioning so that you don’t go back to a hot apartment. This can be done on your smartphone or other high-tech devices. S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 018 13
LIVING A LIFE OF LUXURY A DAY AT OLYMPIC RESIDENCE
Super-smart living made simple If the car needs petrol or a good wash - just pick up the phone and call the concierge. This will allow you much-deserved time for the gym, a relaxing massage or thalassotherapy at the building’s exclusive spa. If you play tennis, then take advantage of the member’s court, followed by a drink at the country club. And maybe go for a coiffure, manicure or pedicure at The O at Olympic Residence which uses top products such as Kevin Murphy. Then again, if too busy to pamper yourself the business centre offers such magnificent views of Cyprus that you will feel less deprived. Needless to say, free Wi-Fi is available throughout. Condominium is a Latin word and the concept dates back to the ancient times when it was common for Romans to live together in big yards, making use of common facilities. A similar lifestyle is offered by high-rise modern buildings such as the Olympic Residence which has attracted people from around the world as permanent residents. Olympic Residence is a Cypriot-registered company with international investors, such as Marfields Enterprises who are behind other high-profile projects – in Limassol and another in the capital Nicosia. 14 TO W E R S #1
PRESENTATION
Building a future
with Marfields Enterprises
M
arfields Enterprises is a Cypriotregistered company with international ownership and whose managing director, Tal Mashkif, continues to seek development projects on the island with great success. The next prime location project is set to open in the heart of Nicosia, in June 2018. Central Park Residence is located close to the Ministries of Finance and Interior and the Parliament
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building. The 22-storey luxury condominium on Evagorou Street, opposite the old GSP stadium, is within walking distance to the traditional Laiki Yitonia in the old town as well as the luxury shopping street of Stasikratous. It has similar facilities to the Olympic Tower with residents enjoying five-star hotel services including an indoor swimming pool, gym, sauna, spa and a restaurant. The third Cyprus project of Marfields
Central Park Residence, Nicosia The Olympic Resort, Limassol
Enterprises is the Olympic Resort situated on the Limassol beachfront and offering magnificent views. Covering 28,000 square metres, it is one of the largest residential projects in Cyprus in terms of landscape and floors. Its 38 floors will accommodate two restaurants, bars, a spa, hammam, tennis courts, mini-golf course, indoor & outdoor pools, huge lobby areas, reception, and concierge on a 24-hour basis.
Mr Tal Mashkif, managing director of Marfields Enterprises S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 018 17
must try
Carob Mill Restaurants, Limassol
A taste of Cyprus 35+ hotspots in Limassol and Nicosia that are known for their delicious cuisine, beautiful dĂŠcor and impeccable customer service By Kleanthis Kleanthous Cyprus has nothing to be jealous of bigger countries anymore, since many more venues that make a statement have made an appearance, giving plenty of options to local residents but also to those who choose to visit the country. Cute bistros with sophisticated flavours, gourmet food, well-researched recipes from every corner of the globe, delicious meat, fresh seafood that you can enjoy by the sea, local recipes (often with a creative twist), imaginative cocktails and plenty of brunch options, will satisfy every palate and fit every budget. We chose 35+ hotspots in Limassol and Nicosia that are known for their savoury taste, beautiful setting, and impeccable hospitality!
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LIMASSOL If you love fish and seafood, then at Old Limassol Beach Bar & Resto (25321047) you can have delicious squid, cuttlefish and grilled octopus, fresh sea bream and sea bass, which you can wash down with ouzo, right by the sea. There is also Puesta Oyster Bar and Grill (25329040), which is a fine-dining restaurant specialising in shellfish and seafood, in a magical and idyllic setting by the sea. On the other hand, if you would rather enjoy the best steak in town, then you absolutely have to go to Columbia Steak House (25.278.000) set in a cosmopolitan area in the centre of Limassol. And at the Four Seasons Hotel, you will find the multiple award-winning restaurant Vivaldi by Mavrommatis (25858000) known for its fine concepts by Executive Chef Andreas Mavrommatis (the only Michelin-star chef in Cyprus!) and innovative Head Chef George Constantinou. If you love international cuisine, the Do Wine & Dine (25020056) menu is filled with a wide variety of seafood, meat - from poultry and game to steak - and pasta with over 300 wine labels. At Uptown Square, you will meet Zen Room (25025555) where you get a taste of an impressive compilation of Japanese cuisine. At the Tokyo Restaurant Bar (25321313), dominated by a rather Asian fusion approach, you will come across options not only from Japanese cuisine but also fancy dishes with meat (such as steak) and poultry. The Akakiko (77778022), located in The Royal Apollonia Hotel, offers a minimalist venue overlooking the sea where you can enjoy Japanese cuisine with high quality ingredients. And at the Limassol Marina, the Epsilon Resto Bar (25051393) specialises in modern Mediterranean cuisine, offering plenty of options from fish and seafood to meat and sushi. Just a little further down, at Pyxida (25051200), the little brother of the multiple award-winning fish restaurant in Nicosia, you can have delicious appetizers, fresh fish, mouth-watering seafood pasta, a tasty fish soup and very good service! In the heart of the “second capital� the Bordello Bar (70.005.868) is a new acquisition by the Breeze Group that has managed to quickly steal the show and become the talk of the town. With a theatre
stage feel that takes you to the liveliness and rhythm of the French cabaret in the last century, apart from a wide selection of cocktails and wines, you will find several interesting options such as salmon ceviche, salmon souvlaki, pizza, salads and various food platters. Overlooking Limassol Medieval Castle, the restaurants of the Carob Mill Restaurants Group will satisfy your
Vivaldi by Mavrommatis, Limassol
need for quality food! At the very fine Artima Bistro (25.820.466) you can enjoy Italian and Mediterranean flavours, Cypriot traditional meze (meat and fish) at Karatello Tavern (25820464) with a more modern approach, and at Draught Microbrewery (25820470) there is a wide selection of beers and international dishes inspired by the cuisines of Mexico, Germany, America and Greece. The new craze for brunch is spreading at lightning speed throughout the coastal town. The most popular place is without a doubt The Cookhouse (25353434) on Gladstonos Street. The Eggs Benedict, blueberry pancakes with maple syrup S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 018 21
MUST TRY A TASTE FROM CYPRUS
and mascarpone cheese are all a must try! At the heart of Makarios Avenue, you will find Pralina Experience (25355336) with delicious breakfast and brunch dishes, well-prepared wraps and homemade burgers with delicious side orders for lunch, while in the evening, the menu mainly consists of different options with meat, fish or pasta that are sure to impress even the most demanding. The avant-garde French pastry Pralina is the best reward for your visit to Pralina Experience. You absolutely have to try the tiramisu espresso! In an idyllic location overlooking the sea, on the ground floor of Olympic Residence, the Como Osteria (25247247) serves unique, authentic Italian and Mediterranean dishes that satisfy even the most demanding palate. The place is famous for its fresh pasta, the risotto, traditional pizza with a thin dough that is crisp, soup and main course dishes with meat and fish. On Eirinis Street you will come across Le Frenchie (25212333), a cozy French restaurant with traditional homemade cuisine. With a feel of a Parisian bistro, you can try specialties like the duck confit, lamb with Bordeaux, profiteroles with hot chocolate and many other French delicacies. An online delicatessen store is also expected to open soon. For delicious, traditional dishes, AMEK Kapsalou-Makarios (25382744) is an institution among Limassol residents. It is a clubhouse operating for over 40 years, offering classic Cypriot recipes but not in a typical meze serving. Sikaminia (25365280) is one of the first cookeries’ that opened in the area of old Limassol. During lunch time it is a kitchen preparing meals like legumes, stew, meatballs that are unique and seasonal dishes, while in the evening it is a meze tavern with the personal care of Mrs Demetra.
NICOSIA In an aged, protected building on Faneromeni Street wedged in the cobbled streets of the old town, you can find Balcony (99999626), with a beautiful internal courtyard and a menu with international fusion cuisine and sushi platters. On Ledra Street, you will come across 2 2 TO W E R S #1
Café Mercedes (22270777), a fine club restaurant that serves multi-ethnic cuisine with Asian and Mediterranean flavours and enjoyable signature cocktails. You must try the ribeye with tasty miso & chili sauce. For a juicy and well-prepared burger, the Artisan’s Burgerbar (22759300) is the ideal place for you! But you can also try awesome burgers at Limoncello Deli Bar (70009787) at the Agios Antonios market. In the heart of the capital you can find Barrafino (22767696), serving dishes
Akakiko, Nicosia based on international cuisine with the signature of Chef Christos Hadjiliras. We recommend Tataki tuna, pork medallions with fig and honey sauce, steak and octopus with Santorini fava. A la carte lunch menu on Sundays. Elma & Fred (22680400) is an original-concept store in the heart of the capital, where shopping meets taste in harmony! In its food section, one can find exquisite gourmet deli products such as biscuits, balsamics, tea, olives, vegetables, jams and Italian oils. For those who love fresh fish and seafood, the only choice is a oneway street that leads to Pyxida (22445636), which is exclusively geared towards the discerning palate. The fish soup is a must try. Also, Paragadi (22491310) offers diners unique culinary delights. Sea bream, red mullet,
common bream, parrot fish and kourkouna are only a few of the fresh fish available, along with delicious hot appetizers such as cod with sweet chili sauce and mussels in garlic, and for those more demanding there is a hearty lobster pasta. The famous French bakery chain PAUL (22029377) is located in the centre of Nicosia in a beautiful area with refined style. It’s an ideal place to enjoy a delicious breakfast or brunch. Just like in Limassol, Pralina Experience (22665588) in Nicosia is the new hotspot on Stasikratous Street. In the morning they serve brunch such as omelets, sandwiches and snacks, and then the baton is passed to an amazing daytime menu featuring main courses and other options in fine dining. The desserts on the menu are prepared real time in the kitchen and are different from those that are available for take away. Skinny Fox (22256070) managed from the very beginning to win over the capital’s residents, with red floral wallpaper as a trademark reminiscent of a London hangout. Its international cuisine menu offers starters such as spicy octopus, Persian meatballs and beef Carpaccio while main dishes include pulled duck, beef fillet and ribeye steak. As for making an impression, their signature cocktails such as the Mint Julep will definitely steal the show. Near Famagusta Gate, you can have brunch at the D.O.T. (22101228) while enjoying gourmet dishes at an affordable price, such as the risotto with yellow squash, a lamb shank cooked in parchment paper and maple glazed salmon. The menu at Akakiko (77778022) in Engomi has been synonymous with authentic Far Eastern cuisine. Immerse yourself in a gourmet adventure with the aromas of Japan, China, Thailand, Korea, and Taiwan, while trying a wide variety of sushi, maki, sashimi and temaki, as well as signature dishes like Thai calamari and Hong Kong pork. Jamie’s Italian (22028939) is the first restaurant in Cyprus of the internationally renowned chef Jamie Oliver. The menu that he put together with Italian chef Gennaro Contaldo offers authentic Italian dishes such as fresh pasta, risotto, pizza, meat, fish but also burgers. If you find yourself in Onasagorou Street you should definitely
Pantopoleio Kali Oreksi, Nicosia
make a quick stop at Avo Lahmajoun (22661172) where you can enjoy the most delicious authentic Armenian lahmadjoun or its famous handmade halloumi pie, with prices that are amazingly low. For traditional Greek dishes with a gourmet approach to preparation and a Mediterranean touch, the Pantopoleio Kali Oreksi (22675151) is now a regular feature on the gastronomy scene of the town. Among others, you can enjoy stuffed vegetables, salad with black beans, tuna pilaf with eggplant, shank with pumpkin puree, kleftiko, but also delicious desserts such as baklava with vanilla ice cream. For meat lovers and fans of the traditional Cypriot cuisine, the Tavernaki tou Pambou (22781083) operates as a cookery for lunch and tavern in the evening where food connoisseurs can taste traditional grilled halloumi, sausage in wine, well-cooked souvlaki and sheftalia, wood-fired kleftiko, souvla, greens with eggs and other delicious Cypriot dishes. S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 018 2 3
must try
The Italian way! Set in an idyllic location overlooking the sea, the Como Osteria serves unique authentic Italian and Mediterranean flavours that satisfy even the most discerning palate By Kleanthis Kleanthous Photos by Demetris Pastellas
L
ocated on the ground floor of Olympic Residence on one of Limassol’s busiest streets, Como Osteria is a breath away from the sea, which automatically opens the appetite while making the atmosphere even more special and romantic. It is no coincidence that in 2015 it was awarded as the best new arrival on the island, a wellknown gastronomic institution of Cyprus. The simplicity and minimal design of the place contrast with the rich choices you will meet on the menu (which changes according to the season so that visitors can benefit from local ingredients), and of course focuses on Italian cuisine, with influences from the wider Mediterranean. “Osteria”, for those who do not know, is the simple tavern of Italy; this doesn’t mean that the food is ordinary. The exact opposite in fact! The options at Como Osteria are many and
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at all hours of the day, since it is an all-day caferestaurant, where you can have a delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner, or simply relax with a enjoyable coffee overlooking the sea view. Of course, we could not resist the authentic Italian flavours, as the place is famous for its fresh pasta (ravioli, penne, spaghetti, gnocchi and fettuccini), risotto, traditional pizzas with fine crisp dough, antipasti, appetizers, cool salads, a wide variety of seafood and meat, burgers, sandwiches, delicious sweets, and a long list of local and Italian wines to accompany your meal. Our waiter, polite, smiling and eager, accompanied us to our table and answered all our queries about the menu, without failing to make his own suggestions for our meal. As we sat down, we were offered hot focaccia (traditional Italian bread) with three
The executive chef of Como Î&#x;steria, Îœichael Kramer
different dips, and we chose to start our lunch with a salad of spinach, avocado and various citrus fruits. For starters, we chose the tuna tartar and Portobello mushrooms stuffed with parmesan, on a creamy pesto. Pure enjoyment! For the most part, we decided to share four different dishes, thus exploring the whole gamut of flavours on the menu. I chose a steamed stewed fillet with salted tomato sauce with capers and some chilli, which literally melted in the mouth. Then we tried the risotto with wild mushrooms and black truffle, pizza with buffalo mozzarella, basil, prosciutto and rucola and for the finale we kept some space for the large shrimps cooked on the grill, accompanied with beans and asparagus. The portions were generous and very gratifying, the ingredients fresh and the flavours tangled harmoniously with each other, making the final result a soaring success. Although fullness began to send out its first
messages, none of the group could resist a delightful tiramisu, thus completing a unique gastronomic experience with a heady aroma ... Italy! Como Osteria tel: 25247247 Olympic Residence Towers 353, 28th October St., 3107 Limassol
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advertorial
Zacharias Watches & Jewellery
The world’s most famous brands in one store Z.G.H Watches & Jewellery Ltd, a limited liability company, was established in Cyprus by its present managing director Mr Zacharias Charilaou in 1982 with its principal place in Limassol. Mr Zacharias Charilaou set up his business by leasing a small shop for selling jewellery and certain Japanese watches (Seiko – Orient – Casio etc). In 1985 the company expanded by obtaining its own private premises, namely a shop covering 460 sq.m in the tourist area of Limassol, at 33 Georgiou A’ Potamos Yermasoyia (Pecora Beach House) where the business is still located, after leaving the previously leased premises. The expansion of the company’s premises brought the natural expansion of its business; the circle of business of the company now involves the sale of a large number and variety of jewellery and watches, same as in 1979, but also the sale of watches of a wider variety than before. This includes brands like Omega, Longines, Raymond Weil, Gucci, Maurice, Lacroix, Zenith, Tag-Heuer, Rado, Dupont, and the sale of different brands of jewellery such as; Baraka, Fope, Luca Carati, Zancan, Miluna and Nimei. Diamond stones are brought from International Gemological laboratories like GIA-HRD-IGI. It was
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a natural consequence that this expansion, as well as the upgrading and the renovation of the company’s premises, would bring an increase in the company’s clientele. Though consistently striving for a greater proficiency to meet and serve the needs of our clients we are equipped with the knowledge, dynamism and confidence to face the challenges of the future, our efforts have awarded
us with a rapid increase of our customer base. Z.G.H Watches & Jewellery Ltd controls around 60% of the Limassol local market and 45% of its business consists of foreign clients mainly English, Germans and Russians.Our company is committed to continuing to provide a high standard of service aiming to satisfy all sorts of clients both Cypriots and foreign.
Z.G.H Watches & Jewellery Ltd 33 Georgiοu A’ Street Pecora Beach House, Limassol – Cyprus Tel: +357 25 323168 www.zachariaswatches.com
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calendar
AROUND Cultural events worth going to
Cyprus Wine Festival September 2018, Limassol
Cyprus Rialto World Music Festival
It is the favourite celebration, not only for Limassolians but for all those who love festivals and good wine. The Wine Festival, directly connected with antiquity, offers those who attend; music, dance and food. This year is the festival’s 57th anniversary. http://www.limassolmunicipal. com.cy/wine/index_en.html
July 2018, Heroes Square, Limassol
Other events
It is the 13th time this year that the sounds of different cultures and traditions will be found under the skies of Heroes Square in Limassol, for one of the most popular festivals on the island. Like every year, this year’s festival will showcase people and musicians from Cyprus and abroad. Information phone 77777745 or visit http://rialto.interticket.com
18th International Lighthouse Festival, May 31 to June 4, Medieval Mansion, Kouklia, Paphos www.pharosartsfoundation.org
Dancing in the rain 1 June, Pattichio, Limassol 20:00 The great success and excitement of the Limassol audience bring the ‘Iskushenie’ Dance Theater of St Petersburg back to the island. The style, the way of performing, the music and presentation of each dance are elements that make it stand out. It guarantees the audience (the recommended age is over 12 years), through energy and movement, humour and romance, an impressive show full of emotions. Reservations: 25 377 277, www.pattihio.com.cy 2 8 TO W E R S #1
The 2018 Afro Banana Republic Festival, Kiti, Larnaca, 20-22 July, www.afrobananarepublic.com Fengaros Music Festival, Journalist Union Village, Pervolia, Larnaca, 1-6 Αυgust www.louvana.com.cy/festival OPERA Pafos Aphrodite Festival 2018, September, www.pafc.com.cy
Agonies Diamantis Leventis Art Gallery, Nicosia. Until 10/9/2018
1st Red Summer Festival 1-3 June, Nicosia If something has been accomplished in this first such event on the summer concert scene it was to bring some of the biggest names in Greek music for a three-day music festival. The 1st Red Summer Festival will be held at the Orpheus Stadium in Nicosia and the schedule is as follows: June 1 - Mariza Rizou and Yiannis Kotsiras. June 2 - Imam Baildi and Eleonora Zouganeli. June 3 - Stelios Rokkos and Mirela Pachou. Information: 96245929 & 99059257. www.tickethour.com.cy & ACS Courier (77777040)
Filep Motwary: In Parallel _ 2 out of 5 27 April – 2 June, Zampelas Art Museum, Nicosia During his eight-year tenure as a self-taught photographer and portraitist, Filep Motwary captured the changing face of Fashion and Beauty as well as creating his own visual language and approach communicating both to the outside. Motwary was initially trained as a fashion designer and worked for prestigious houses such as Dior, Galliano and Chloe as well as through his own brand until 2009. He launched a fashion blog (2004-2015), which was soon ranked as one of the top in the world. This dual identity led him to conceive and curate last year’s exhibition ‘Hautea-Porter’ at the Modemuseum Hasselt and the publication of its best-selling accompanying book. There he investigated the fine line that separates or ultimately unifies Couture and Pret-a-Porter. In this new project under the aegis of Loukia & Michael Zampelas Art Museum, an association of excellence in Arts and creative expression, Motwary focuses on two of the many aspects concluding his body of work: a selection of his most favourite photographs along with his journalistic ventures for Dapper Dan magazine. Information: 22456098, www.zampelasart.com.cy
An exhibition devoted to a leading light in artistic creation in Cyprus, Adamantios Diamantis (19001994), focuses on the important cycle of his work ‘Agonies’, with eight representative works painted from 1963 to 1977. Unlike the huge project ‘The World of Cyprus’, in the series ‘Agonies’ woman is the central theme with the emphasis on her role as a mother. In the series ‘Agonies’, Diamantis attempts an important breakthrough in his career, drastically renewing his artistic vocabulary. Τhe ‘Agonies’ series explores the artist’s relationship with all the important events that marked his homeland in the 20th century. In parallel to the main exhibition, a concurrent exhibition will be hosted in the Gallery’s Claude Monet Hall. The Microcosm of Adamantios Diamantis is a photographic exploration by Menelaos Pittas, a friend of the Diamantis family. Information: 22668838, leventisgallery.org
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calendar
AROUND
the world
Shakira
El Dorado World Tour
Colombian singer Shakira stages her world tour in Europe’s largest cities starting in Hamburg, Germany, on June 3 and completing it in Barcelona, Spain on July 7. Among the 19 shows in Europe, there will also be stopoffs in Belgium, London, Madrid, Milan and Zurich. If you happen to be in a major city abroad, check out the tour schedule at http://www.shakira. com/tour and you will probably succeed in getting a ticket.
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Athens Toy Museum A collection that will not only appeal to children, but it will impress the adults as well, with toys, books, prints, clothing and childhood items from Europe, Africa, Asia and America, that have been in the Benaki Museum for a few months now. At the pinnacle is the collection of vintage toys donated by Maria Argyriadis, it is among Europe’s top ten.
London Picasso 1932 – Love, Fame, Tragedy It is one of the most important exhibitions of Pablo Picasso, featuring works created in 1932, a special year for the famous Spanish artist. It is the first ever solo Picasso exhibition at the Tate Modern and runs until 9 September. There are more than a 100 drawings, photos, paintings and sculptures to see. Among the masterpieces are; ‘Dream’ and ‘Girl Before a Mirror”, with his young lover Marie-Therese Walter as the muse.
Berlin Picasso and his Time Paris Delacroix (1798-1863) More than a 180 works of the top French romantic painter Eugene Delacroix present his journey from his first steps in the world of art in Paris in 1820 until his death. The exhibition also includes the painter’s mysterious religious and landscape compositions. The Delacroix exhibition at the Louvre Museum is in partnership with the Metropolitan Museum of New York. It opens on 29 March at the Louvre and runs until 23 July.
From 16 March the German Museum Berggruen will reopen its doors to present to the public its famous Modern Art collection. These include works by Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, Henri Matisse and Alberto Giacometti. There are over 120 works by Pablo Picasso, making it undoubtedly one of the most important exhibitions to visit this summer. Among the masterpieces on show are the seated harlequin, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon and portraits of Dora Maar. S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 018 31
Kolossi Castle, Limassol
must visit
CULTURE
on the island
Cyprus is a country with a long history of culture and cultural production. There has recently been a renaissance with new galleries, artist-run and alternative spaces opening in all major cities. When it comes to art and culture, the island of Cyprus has a lot to offer. By Maria Efstathiou LIMASSOL Archaeological Sites The Ancient Kourion, one of the most important ancient kingdoms of the island, offers a lot to explore as finds from the various excavations may be viewed at the site. There, one may see the Greco-Roman theatre, the House of Eustolios - the main building, the baths, the remains of the Roman Agora and a Christian basilica. Near the old harbour in the heart of the historical centre of the city of Limassol is situated the medieval Limassol Castle. According to tradition, this is where Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre and crowned 3 2 TO W E R S #1
her Queen of England in 1191. Located 14 km west of Limassol is the 13th-century Kolossi Castle. This was initially the Grand Commandery of the Knights Templar. The land around it was highly cultivated with sugarcane and vineyards, thereby resulting in the production of the Cypriot wine Commandaria (the name derives from the ‘Grand Commandery’).
Institutions Limassol Municipal Arts Centre is a newly inaugurated institution situated in the historic centre of the city. As Limassol is the capital of contemporary dance, hosting the annual Contemporary Dance Platform every spring, the aforementioned institution embraces this
characteristic of its city’s people and aims to highlight contemporary visual and performing arts. Found in the area of the Charoupomili (Carobmill) in the old part of the city, is the Evagoras and Kathleen Lanitis Foundation (www.lanitisfoundation.org) presenting a programme of periodical and thematic exhibitions. The Cyprus Theatre Museum (www.cyprustheatremuseum. com), apart from its research and archival goals, has the mandate to promote the history of Cypriot theatre. Rialto (www.rialto.interticket.com) - a theatre space in the vibrant heart of the city - additional to its programme of theatrical productions - hosts a number of noteworthy festivals year round.
Galleries and Art Spaces Collection Gallery (www.thecollectiongallery.eu) holds two venues on the island: The first to open was the one in Nicosia, with another place opening up in Limassol a few years later, aiming for a niche clientele/ audience of collectors. The Island Club (www.theisland-club.com) is perhaps one of the most prominent spaces in Limassol, which opened in January 2018 and is run by the local internationally acclaimed artist Christodoulos Panayiotou. Eins Gallery (99 522977) is planned to open in late spring 2018 and is expected to meet high expectations. Halcyon Gallery Cyprus (www.limassolmarina.com) - the latest addition to Halcyon Art International’s galleries in London, Mumbai and Shanghai - is located in the Limassol Marina. This platform representing a selection of renowned international artists is a world-class destination for art collectors and art lovers.
NICOSIA When in Nicosia, aim for the Walled City. This part of the city (as well as the areas directly around it) is packed with museums, galleries, art spaces and archaeological sites.
Faneromeni Square Faneromeni Square has a lot to keep a visitor busy. In these picturesque streets, one can find the best artsy presents to take back home at Phaneromenis 70 (www. phaneromenis70.org). This is an artist-run space which specialises in art-related products, with a concept and a thematic behind each production. Just across the
Tombs of the Kings, Paphos
square from Phaneromenis 70, stands Faneromeni Church, renowned for its architecture and its wooden carvings found in the interior. A three-minute walk from the church, a visitor can find the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation (www.boccf.org). This houses some noteworthy collections including: The Museum of the History of Cypriot Coinage, the Museum of George and Nefeli Giabra Pierides Collection, the Manuscripts and Rare Book Collection, the Cyprus Map Collection and the Engravings, Old Photographs and Watercolours Collection. Along with these permanent displays, the foundation also presents temporary exhibitions of contemporary art (mainly from their Contemporary S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 018 3 3
MUST VISIT CULTURE ON THE ISLAND
Cypriot Art Collection), as well as solo shows of Cypriot artists who have left their mark on the contemporary art scene. On the other side of Faneromeni Church, at just a minute’s walk, is the Arablar mosque (also known as the church of Stavros tou Missirikou), a domical Byzantine type building of the 16th century. The Arablar mosque is a unique mixture of different architectural elements, characteristic of the Venetian occupation of Cyprus.
New Galleries and Art Spaces There is an array of new and youngish galleries and artistrun spaces inside walled Nicosia. isnotgallery (www. isnotgallery.com) is perhaps the oldest “new” gallery in this area, presenting a line of solo and group exhibitions of both local and international artists. Garage, Neoterismoi Toumazou, Thkio Ppaliesand Korai galleries have been running for the past few years and are committed to presenting unconventional works and shows, which are considered off-the-beaten-track. Garage (22 001508) is an artist-run space dedicated to providing a platform for the work of the younger generation of local artists and other local artists who are somewhat unorthodox. Neoterismoi Toumazou (www.neoterismoi.com) and Thkio Ppalies (www.thkioppalies.org) are artistrun spaces, the first one being initiated by the same collective that - amongst other artists - represented Cyprus in a previous edition of the Venice Biennale. And Korai (www.koraispace.com) aims at exploring new curatorial practices, applied at a local level. All these spaces bare a local twist, constituting them as must-sees. To this list of freshly opened spaces, there is another addition in March 2018: Party Contemporary (www.partycontemporary.com), run again by two artists, one of whom formerly represented Cyprus at a Venice Biennale edition. ArtSeen (www.artseeneditions.com) is a conventional gallery, representing a number of Cypriot and international artists, providing editions of multiples in their shop. (note: Thkio Ppalies and Party Contemporary are situated in an area just outside the walled city, of an approximate 20-minute walk. ArtSeen is also situated outside the walled city). 3 4 TO W E R S #1
Institutions Within the walls, there are a number of cultural institutions. The Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia (www. leventismuseum.org.cy) was awarded the European Museum of the Year Award in 1991. Its displays span from permanent collections - from the ancient times up to the British rule and Nicosia today, to thematic galleries, to periodical exhibitions. NiMAC (www.nimac.org.cy) is housed in the old powerhouse of the capital, which was awarded the Europa Nostra Award in 1994 and is a magnificent example of industrial architecture. One may see a number of thematic exhibitions there, taking a stance on current geopolitical matters. CVAR (www. cvar.severis.org) showcases a collection of paintings, antique costumes and memorabilia related to Cyprus and its neighbours from Costas and Rita Severis private collection.
Caterina Cornaro, last queen of Cyprus Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia
Point Centre for Contemporary Art (www.pointcentre. org), found a minute’s walk from Eleftheria Square, promotes a multi-disciplinary engagement in various fields of contemporary cultural production. Down the road from the latter, the A. G. Leventis Gallery (www. leventisgallery.org) showcases a number of permanent collections - the Paris collection, the Greek Collection and the Cyprus collection - and other temporary
exhibitions. One can also find a collection of Cypriot contemporary art at the State Gallery of Contemporary Art (but you have to be there early in the day, as it is not open late in the afternoons). The collection consists of some of the most ground-breaking local art. For a dose of archaeology make sure to visit the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia, which is oozing with antiquities from the Stone Age to the Roman Era. The latter has the most conclusive collection of Cypriot antiquities. And for the ones who enjoy Byzantine iconography, the Byzantine Museum is a good specimen of a comprehensive collection spanning almost 1,500 years.
Sites As for the archaeological sites, Nicosia has plenty to offer. Similar to other Venetian sites, the Venetian Walls of Nicosia (also known as “The Walls”, built 1567–1570) bear characteristics of the era. Along the length of these circular walls, a number of sites can be found: Famagusta Gate, the Bairaktari Mosque and Paphos Gate. These can be viewed at a radius around the walled city. The house of Hadjiyioryakis Kornesios is an exquisite example of folkloric display, with a narrative to be walked through and explored. Make sure to see the hamam of the house, at the back, as it is of unique Ottoman architecture and characteristic of its kind.
LARNACA The Pierides Museum (24145375) in Larnaca offers an assemblage of archaeological antiquities for its visitors, paired with different exhibitions of contemporary artists and presentations. Overall, Larnaca offers a lot in archaeological sites with exemplary architecture, such as the Hala Sultan Tekke and the Mosque of Umm Haram by the city’s picturesque salt lake. Additionally, about four kilometres from the salt lake, a walk in the old city will bring you to the pedestrian roads and the late 9th-century architectural marvel of Saint Lazarus Church, which was built over Saint Lazarus’ tomb. At
the far end of the Finikoudes promenade, one can find Larnaca Medieval Castle which was built in the Middle Ages and took its present form during the Ottoman rule.
PAPHOS On route to Paphos, one will come across Petra tou Romiou (Birth Place of Aphrodite). Do take a detour down to the beach, or even at one of the viewpoints overlooking the spot to catch the breath-taking view. On the west side of Paphos, within a natural reserve lays the Loutra tis Aphrodites (Aphrodite Baths). From a mythological start point, this is one of the most magical places, with a fable saying that the one who bathes in the waters of the baths hidden in the local fauna will endure immense beauty. The - originally built as a Byzantine fort - Paphos Medieval Castle, dates back to the 13th century. It is currently used for various cultural events. Away from the seafront, in Fabrica’s Cave, Japanese performance and installation artist Chiharu Shiota created an installation as part of a major exhibition which was part of the Pafos2017 European Capital of Culture. This is a walk-in installation changing with the passage of time, as the material (red thread) wears out with time. In the same area is Tombs of the Kings - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - a set of unique and undamaged underground tombs of the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD. The Old Powerhouse is a municipal cultural centre, regularly hosting exhibitions and other cultural events.
AYIA NAPA When by the sea, go visit a museum dedicated to it. Thalassa Museum (www.thalassamuseum.org.cy) is dedicated to showcasing matters related to different themes of the sea. There is a replica of the Kyrenia II vessel - an exact copy of the ancient ship which brought to light a number of findings into how our Cypriot ancestors lived. S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 018 3 5
cover story
From Cyprus
to
Hollywood Actress Daphne Alexander sheds light on the path her career has taken
Α decade ago, Cypriot actress Daphne Alexander took her first steps towards a successful career after she was casted for popular BBC medical drama ‘Casualty’. Since then, Daphne has gone on to play roles in the HBO/BBC co-production House of Saddam and films ‘The Fourth Kind’ and ‘The Ghost Writer’, working alongside actors such as Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Elias Koteas and Milla Jovovich to name a few. By Melissa Hekkers, photos by James Phillips
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DAPHNE ALEXANDER FROM CYPRUS TO HOLLYWOOD
S
haring her talent and time between theatre, TV and cinema, Daphne has also indulged in playing prominent roles for independent productions such as ‘The Palace’ which won multiple awards. It is a film set in Cyprus during 1974 and tells the story of a conscript soldier who comes face-to-face with a family in hiding and must confront the brutal reality of war and his role in it. In an interview for Towers Magazine, Daphne talks about her early career, her love for theatre, TV and cinema as well as her affiliation with local productions and projects that bring her closer to her birth place. Do you remember the first ever role you played? The first role I ever played was Emilia in Othello. It was an open-air production of the Shakespeare tragedy organised by a group of Bristol Old Vic graduates headed by Irish-Cypriot actor/producer Patrick Myles. Someone dropped out at the last minute and a friend of mine, Eliana Mandrides, who was the inhouse make-up artist, said to me: ‘you’re interested in acting, why don’t you audition?’ Which I did, and I was quickly offered the role, which astonished me. I was really terrified at first and almost dropped out. But it turned out to be a life-changing experience and I have never looked back! I have also never stopped feeling terrified at the beginning of every new project... You once said that ideally you would like your work to be balanced between theatre, cinema and TV. What attracts you to each of these mediums? Theatre is jump-off-the-cliff exciting and scary in equal measure. There is something very special about playing a character live in front of an audience that has the power to shape the story with their laughter, gasps, or (god forbid) yawns...! Screen acting is about the camera, and what it sees. You need to communicate with it so that it transfers your emotions and thoughts to the cinema audience, or to the people sitting in their living room watching television. When you think about it, an actor is invading someone’s living room with their performance in a TV series. This 3 8 TO W E R S #1
It helps that I have always been fascinated by “otherness”: different cultures and languages, and how certain things unite and other things split us apart
sense of intimacy is fascinating to me. Whether it’s acting for screen or stage, the most important thing is to remain truthful to the character and faithful to the vision of the writer and director. You worked on independent productions ‘Mesocafe’ and ‘The Palace’, the latter being somewhat closer to home for you. What did these films represent for you? In Mesocafe I played a young Iraqi translator who falls in love. The film was shot in London over a freezing Xmas, and most of the scenes were filmed in an Italian cafe, after it closed for the night, which was transformed into a Middle Eastern cafe after hours. So, we had a series of exhausting all-nighters filming in the freezing cold... it was as “independent” as filmmaking gets and really very difficult. But the director was a sweet and sensitive man, and the Lebanese actor playing my love interest had an incredible sense of humour so we spent most of the time giggling uncontrollably! The Palace remains one of the best and most creatively fulfilling films I ever did, because of the talent and vision of the writer/director Anthony Maras and the beauty of his script; and the fact that the story was so close to home made it all the more urgent. It was very challenging, but in the good way. I am very proud of our work. You often play roles from different cultural S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 018 3 9
DAPHNE ALEXANDER FROM CYPRUS TO HOLLYWOOD
backgrounds. How easy is it to internalise roles? Whether the character is a Syrian, a Cypriot or an Alaskan, the humanity is the same. People from all backgrounds love, hate, have hopes and dreams and struggle to survive in a variety of very different circumstances. But, depending on what role I am tackling, I do as much research as possible into their background, their way of growing up, their language and cultural background, because that shapes how they speak, behave and interact with others. It helps that I have always been fascinated by ‘otherness’: different cultures and languages, and how certain things unite and other things split us apart. How would you describe the Cypriot theatre/ film scene? I get the feeling that a lot of exciting work is brewing here... There are a lot of young film and stage directors as well as filmmakers who are very talented and hungry, and are starting to produce some fresh and interesting work. I am very positive that this will increase and improve over the coming years. What would you say is the highlight of your career so far? Each and every project I have been involved with remains special in my heart and I’ve learnt from every single screen and stage production I’ve been involved in. As for highlights... there are too many! I will, for example, never forget the moment when my agent called me (I was jogging at the gym) to say that Roman Polanski was offering me a role in his forthcoming movie The Ghost Writer. I literally couldn’t believe my ears and almost fell off the treadmill. Another incredibly exciting moment was when Anthony Maras called to say that The Palace had secured a place in the long-list for the Oscars that year in the short film category. Yet another was when the playwright/ director James Phillips announced that his Cypriot themed play, Hidden In The Sand, set in Famagusta, was to be produced in the West End with me as one of the main characters.... or when Tony Visconti, the legendary producer of Bowie, came to see our show City Stories at 59E59 Theatre in New York and 4 0 TO W E R S #1
Whether it’s acting for screen or stage, the most important thing is to remain truthful to the character and faithful to the vision of the writer and director
the very next day wrote to his fans: “You MUST see this. You have never seen anything like it. It is lifechanging”. There are many, many more!! What do you do when in Cyprus? Do you mix pleasure with work? I do! I enjoy meeting with old friends from my school days and reminiscing as well as spending time with my family. But I am also very interested in the work here and I keep up with what is going on. I have, over the years, taken part in both screen and theatre work and intend to continue to do so when people are kind enough to offer me roles for work that piques my interest. In fact, my next project is such a one, a film called ‘Siege on Liperti Street’ by Stavros Pamballis. Can you tell us a little more about Siege on Liperti Street? Siege on Liperti Street is a Cyprus/Greece/UK coproduction that has been in the works for quite some time. It was written and will be directed by Stavros Pamballis, a very talented writer and brilliant filmmaker. I’m very excited to work with him and to discover the story together, as well as the journey of my character, a Greek Cypriot woman, a mother and a wife in terrible difficulties. It is a very moving story, and very much a film about what the world is facing right now, politically and economically. Amongst many other things, it is a gripping thriller told through the prism of a couple facing an extraordinary situation.
beauty
Stopping
time
Ageing doesn’t happen overnight, your youth capital starts decreasing from the age of 25. While ingredients in skincare work to target concerns that are already present, new formulas are designed to treat signs of ageing before they occur, as the future of skincare has shifted from correction to prevention. We talked with Limassol-based Dermatologist and Cosmetologist Dr Margarita Mavrogeni, to give us some beauty care tips on how to maintain youthful and flawless skin. By Nicole Zeniou
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Why do we age? Ageing occurs due to two main factors: chronological ageing, that has to do with our genes, and exogenous ageing that occurs due to environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation, pollution and bad habits, such as smoking and stress. During the ageing process, collagen, which is an essential ingredient for firm skin, decreases, resulting in thinner skin that has lost its moisture and elasticity. Dark spots appear, initially accompanied by superficial and fine wrinkles and then loosening of the skin occurs, followed by deep wrinkles and sagging. Can we slow down the ageing process? Definitely! By following some simple procedures at home and with the help of your dermatologist, you can reverse the ageing process. How do we choose skincare products? Before you buy any products, you must take into account the age and the natural condition of the skin. Determine which products are suitable for day or night use, and the area of the face they target (face, eyes, neck, neckline). Compositions with hyaluronic acid, aloe vera or panthenol provide deep hydration by preserving the skin’s moisture while boasting anti-inflammatory activity. Hydroxy acids favour skin rejuvenation and lend the skin natural glow and firmness by eliminating surface lines and expression lines. Vitamins A, C and E, have a strong antioxidant activity which improves cell function. Peptides and ceramides strengthen the skin by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin, helping to reduce fine lines as well as dark circles and under eye bags. Antioxidants, such as Pyruvic acid, treat premature ageing and help prevent sagging. Substances such as niacinamide block the accumulation of melanin, improving skin tone by combating dark spots and skin discolouration. Can we treat skin ageing at home? A daily skincare routine at home is mandatory
Dr Margarita Mavrogeni Dermatologist and Cosmetologist for healthy, naturally glowing skin, but nothing can replace the non-invasive treatments applied by dermatologists that help maintain the natural expression of your face while keeping your skin looking young and wrinkle-free. Can we stop time? Of course, we can! It takes good nutrition, exercise and a targeted preventive-corrective skincare regimen that is tailored to the needs of your skin.
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STOPPING TIME HOW TO STAY YOUNG
Alternative, non-invasive anti-ageing treatments for youthful skin THE BEST DERMATOLOGY CLINIC TREATMENTS Microdermabrasion One of the most recent methods for skin renewal, it targets skin damage due to ageing in a completely natural way. It applies to the face, neck and neckline. Mechanical exfoliation removes the external layer of the skin, softening the wrinkles and treating discolouration.
applied to the entire face, improving both deep and superficial wrinkles. They can also be used to improve the shape of the face, restore volume, correct the shape of the nose and to revitalize the hands. It’s a safe procedure that has been used for years.
Mesotherapy This method uses a mixture of nutrients with hyaluronic acid enriched with vitamins, salts, coenzymes, amino acids and stem cell activators. Substance infusions are injected under the skin surface. It nourishes and moisturizes the skin, targeting the loss of firmness. Anti-wrinkle Injection (Botox) The most popular treatment for treating wrinkles with incredible results. Botox paralyzes muscle movement through a simple procedure with a short duration and without any major side effects. Applies to wrinkles on the forehead, between eyebrows, on the crow’s feet, the upper lip, the neck and neckline. It should be repeated every 4-5 months. The desired effect is a more relaxed, youthful-looking face without alterations to its features. Injectable Implants (Filler) This is probably the most effective treatment in cosmetic medicine as injectable implants are placed under the skin. At our clinic, we prefer to apply non-permanent implants such as traditional hyaluronic acid implants and the new innovative polycaprolacton material, which not only fill in wrinkles but also increase collagen production. Injectable implants are 4 4 TO W E R S #1
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) This innovative treatment utilizes the growth factors that produce activated blood platelets in the individual to which it is applied, in order to regenerate the skin in the most natural way. It is a pain-free solution with immediate results. Lifting with Yarns Probably the most effective non-invasive technique to reduce relaxation of the face and body. Lifting is conducted using special absorbent yarns, without the need for surgery. Light Plasma Treatment (PLEXR) This is a new technique that uses the fourth state of matter,‘plasma’. Treatment with PLEXR is ideal for eyelid reconstruction, treatment of superficial and deep wrinkles and discolouration, among others.
DAILY SKINCARE ROUTINE Thoroughly clean your skin to remove dirt and sebum. It is very important to do this 1-2 times a week so as to remove dead cells. This is achieved by using mild exfoliating products with granules, or exfoliating masks for sensitive skin.
1
TREAT YOUR SKIN AT HOME
2
• Provide your skin with the necessary substances for nutrition and moisture.
Find the right moisturizer. Every individual has their own skin type with unique needs. However, the visible surface of our skin does not reflect its true condition. With the method of Derma analysis, the dermatologist can reveal the condition of the deeper layers, detect any skin problems and recommend the right dermo-cosmetics for your skin type. These products contain unique combinations of active ingredients that accelerate skin repair, maintain the skin’s health and prevent damage.
3
Use sunscreen on a daily basis.
• Change your diet, drink more water and juices and add more fruit and vegetables. • Avoid excess sugar; it destroys collagen and elastin and leads to premature ageing. • Avoid careless sunbathing, use sunscreen and wear a hat. • Avoid smoking; it makes your skin look dull, rough and with wrinkles. • Exercise daily to improve heart function, for better oxidation of the muscles and skin. • Maintain a healthy weight for a younger looking body. • Sleep is an integral part of our lives; make sure you sleep sufficiently. • Follow a daily skincare routine.
Dr Margarita Mavrogeni, Dermatologist and Cosmetologist 9, Ethnikis Antistaseos str, 3022 Limassol, Cyprus tel. +357 25745305, +357 99685666, email: drmama@cytanet.com.cy S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 018 4 5
beauty
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Find your local
Alphamega Hypermarket
Alphamega Hypermarkets are the largest retail store chain in Cyprus and one of the most rapidly developing companies in the country. Their name has been connected to a unique shopping experience everyone can enjoy while visiting Alphamega Hypermarkets. Quality, freshness and affordable prices are the core values which accompany every customer when choosing Alphamega Hypermarkets. A fruit & vegetable section with focus on carefully picked fresh produce, a bakery with constantly freshly baked goods, a dedicated to clients’ needs meat and fish section, a selected delicatessen section and a rotisserie corner are just few of the services provided in almost every Alphamega Hypermarket. A wide range of well-known brand label products along with “Alphamega” private label, reflecting the quality of the Hypermarkets’ philosophy at competitive prices, can be found on all other sections offered at every store. Alphamega Hypermarkets’ café is surely a great add-on to everyone’s shopping experience, providing a tasty selection of dishes, snacks and beverages. As a purely Cypriot retail chain, Alphamega Hypermarkets support local producers and offer their clients fresh and traditional products on a daily basis.
Exclusively at
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Interview LOUKIA LOIZOU HADJIGAVRIEL
showcasing
EUROPEAN ART AND ITS HISTORY Nicosia’s A.G. Leventis Gallery is a beacon for culture lovers By Melissa Hekkers
H
ome to prominent artworks of internationally and locally acclaimed artists, the A.G. Leventis Gallery in Nicosia pays tribute to European art and stands out from other museums on the island; a €20 million project which regroups Anastasis Leventis’ extensive art collection under one roof. Open to the public since 2014, the museum is divided into three sections – Europe, Greece and Cyprus. The Paris collection houses work of European masters like Monet, El Greco and Chagall to name a few, the Greek collection features Konstantinos Volanakis and Konstantinos Parthenis. The Cyprus collection features equally prominent local artists such as Adamantios Diamantis -- aspiring to give an insight into the first, very important steps of contemporary Cypriot art. Director of the Gallery Loukia Loizou Hadjigavriel said the Leventis collection of 800 paintings, drawings, watercolours and objets d’art, primarily aimed to fill
a vacuum by providing the Cyprus public with direct access to post-Renaissance and post-Enlightenment European art. To broaden cultural horizons, deepen a perception of European cultural identity and draw connections between the artistic legacy of Western Europe, Greece and Cyprus. “But we wanted to achieve more than that, as this once private collection opened its doors to the world. We wished to establish partnerships and collaborations with leading scholars, curators, museums and academic institutions around the globe,” says Hadjigavriel. “We hoped that the Gallery would not just be a place where the Foundation’s exceptional art collections could be enjoyed by all, but also become a hub for art, which would bring people of diverse backgrounds together, encourage dialogue and the exchange of ideas, allow art to play a pivotal role in fostering social cohesion in an increasingly global world – not least in this eastern outpost of Europe, in S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 018 51
LOUKIA LOIZOU HADJIGAVRIEL SHOWCASING EUROPEAN ART AND ITS HISTORY
the Mediterranean. A location of great historical and geopolitical sensitivity,” she adds. The Gallery receives over 100,000 visitors annually, an achievement which Hadjigavriel puts down to the institution’s continuous efforts to ‘keep people coming’ and staying relevant. “Acknowledging that our strongest supporters must be the community itself, we pride ourselves on repeat visits, on schoolchildren who bring their parents at the weekends, on the monthly attendance of our Wednesday lectures and on those who flock to our workshops and special events,” said the director. Cyprus and beyond Maintaining an international profile has also contributed to the Gallery’s success. The Gallery has hosted international exhibitions in collaboration with leading Museums around the world. Most recently, The Venus Paradox exhibition brought together loans from 16 Museums and 4 private collections among which, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the British Museum, London’s National Gallery, the Rijksmuseum and the Louvre. “We have also focused on setting the grounds for international collaborations, establishing a working relationship with leading academic and other institutions around the world.” The Gallery has hosted an international symposium at the Courtauld Institute of Art, worked with BOZAR in Brussels on a recent project bridging east and west, set up a fourpart collaboration on the mystery of a lost altarpiece with the Museums of Lille, Chambery and the V&A, to name but a few such joint initiatives. “We are working incessantly, at home and abroad, to turn this beautiful space in the heart of the city into a centre for culture that reaches beyond Cyprus, as a beacon for art-lovers also in the broader Middle East.” “Our agenda is anchored around our Collections – but loosely so, in a way that allows temporary exhibitions to interpret, and re-interpret what is already housed in the Gallery, but also to build bridges – to the wealth 5 2 TO W E R S #1
Loukia Loizou Hadjigavriel Director of the A.G.Leventis Gallery
of art treasures, and to the realm of ideas beyond our walls,” she adds. Alternating narratives Temporary exhibitions began with the Nativity Stories in 2014, “challenging viewers to rethink what we really know about what is probably one of the bestloved stories of all time as it is re-told from the Middle Ages to Modernism; there we notably traced the
The Paris collection
story of the Birth of Christ across European, Greek and Cypriot art –drawing a connection to our three Collections”. The Ghika-Craxton-Lee Fermor – charmed lives in Greece show, went to the Benaki Museum in Athens and will be at the British Museum in spring 2018, takes its cue from the presence of beautiful works by Ghika featured in the Greek Collection, to explore the friendship between three talented personalities, living charmed lives in Greece in the 1950s and 60s. A forthcoming project on the “Agonies –Diamantis” reflects on the work of this leading Cypriot artist who features prominently in the Cypriot Collection. There are many challenges faced when leading such a nascent cultural institution, including the role of technology when fusing past and present. Hadjigavriel talks about the calling to balance the museum’s hermeneutic dimension, the focus on research and interpretation – the lingering focus on beauty, enigma, communication; the need to engage and entertain a public that is increasingly open to temptations, of the more facile, less demanding world of consumerism. From its inception, the Gallery has placed importance on its educational aspect; striving to make learning fun. Beyond tailor-made programmes that tie in
with the school curriculum, for instance, the Gallery has created digital apps, sleep-overs in the Gallery spaces and parties that turn young children into artdetectives. The museum as a hub The Gallery’s outstanding permanent collection, its drive towards education and its persistent efforts to bring alternative perspectives through its activities are some of the elements that make it stand out as an institution. As Hadjigavriel muses, “museums are hubs, a place where people should find solace in hard times… oases of intellectual refuge but also of nuclei of creativity and inspiration”. “We focus on interdisciplinarity, we believe in making learning, fun. We strive to bridge the dividing lines between ‘high’ art and ‘popular’ culture, to bring together fine arts with drama or performance, for instance, to set a 17th-century painting against the daring creations of contemporary artists. We focus on ways in which to engage broad audiences by breaking the bounds of ‘traditional’ museum going – to entice, particularly the young.” “If you can meditate before Venus, as she is seen through the eyes of Palma Giovane, if you can read S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 018 5 3
The Cyprus collection
Shakespeare before a painting, hear live music in an exhibition room, ask a chef to create a dish inspired by a painting, you do not merely reveal layers of hidden meaning for viewers – you also encourage an open dialogue, through art and culture. And we need to do so much more in this direction!” Hosting famous artists such as Monet and El Greco opens new horizons, argues Hadjigavriel. “It allows us to explore new avenues, to unravel new narratives for what is a very diverse public. Our visitors include those who are very well travelled, the seasoned art-lovers who have seen a great deal and have great expectations...” “But it also includes those who have had, up to now, little opportunity to see art of this caliber – and we feel very strongly that we must cater specifically for this group: specially designed outreach initiatives have enabled us to travel beyond the Gallery, taking our works to rural communities, with particular success.” “The Collections are our cultural capital – and they bind us to our duty to make the most of them, engaging large audiences to interact with, understand, explore and enjoy art.” The Cypriot dimension As an art historian having worked on Cyprus art Hadjigavriel says Cypriot art lacks the influence of its European neighbours. “Cypriot art and the way in which it developed are 5 4 TO W E R S #1
inextricably linked to the history of the island and the prevailing political, social, economic and cultural conditions.” “Long periods of foreign rule and subjugation, the island’s geographic isolation, as well as its economic and cultural poverty, prohibited Cypriot artists from engaging with the artistic Renaissance of Western Europe and from developing artistically beyond the Byzantine and folk-art traditions,” reveals Hadjigavriel. “The conditions that favoured both the creation and positive reception of a new type of art began to develop, at a slow pace, only in the early 20th century,” she adds. The Cyprus Collection of the gallery began to be assembled in the early 1990s. “It was equally important that in this new museum, which would essentially present the development of European art from the 16th century to the mid-20th, Cypriot artistic creation would also coexist.” “From 1990 we began to assemble a small, representative collection of works by the most important artists of our time, which would express and exemplify the first generation - the pioneers of Cypriot art,” explains Hadjigavriel. “The pioneers of contemporary Cypriot art worked under adverse conditions. Nevertheless, and despite the many difficulties they faced, these artists laid the foundations upon which Cypriot art was able to develop and flourish.”
fashion By Christina Tserkezi
trends
SPRING/SUMMER ‘18 Style updates, best buys and hot news from planet fashion
bag
Cult Gaia Mania Fashionistas have gone crazy over the unique bags of Cult Gaia. The Los Angeles-based label garnered social media fame thanks to its coveted “Ark” bag - an elegantly curved, vintage inspired bamboo clutch that feels unconventional yet timeless. This innovative bag will lend a bohemian yet dynamic look to any spring or summer outfit.
Chrissy Teigen
Info: Find Cult Gaia bags at Tiffany Boutique, Olympic Residence Piazza, Tel.: 25582777
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book
new designer
Gio_Graphy:
Fun in the world of fashion by Giovanna Battaglia
Labelled a “cyber icon” and “fashion heroine” by the New York Times, Italian fashion editor and stylist Giovanna Battaglia is known for her colourful street style and fun-loving personality. In this, her first book, she has written an irreverent howto guide for dressing for every occasion, finding fashion inspiration, living stylishly, and having fun while doing it. Also featured, are tips and tricks she has learned from fashion-world friends such as Carolina Herrera, Derek Blasberg, Hamish Bowles, and Anna Dello Russo. Filled with humour and style, this is a must-have book for anyone interested in fashion and having a good time.
Tommaso Menswear Studio Designed and manufactured exclusively in Cyprus, Tommaso is a young brand which offers sophisticated, authentic and contemporary pieces of clothing for the men’s wardrobe. Founded in 2017 by the fashion blogger Toumazos Charalambous (theclassyissue.com), the label’s clothes are executed by a team of experienced tailors and artisans. Tommaso Menswear is dedicated to every man who remains classic in his core and through the changes of fashion, yet dares to make the difference. Info: Tommaso Studio, 7 Stylianou Apostolidi str., 6021, Larnaca, Cyprus. Tel.: 9474334 https://tommaso.studio
Info: You can find it on amazon.com
Paint the world lavender
cothleosueasron of
After last season’s pink reign, there’s a new colour taking over the street style stars’ closets. Let’s welcome lavender. From soft shades to bold hues, lavender seems to work refreshingly well on every outfit choice. Be it sequined dresses, oversize knits or sharp suit sets, the colour trend of the new season makes every ensemble look absolutely magnificent. Style tip: Dare to incorporate different hues of lavender in your outfit, or go for contrast by adding splashes of mint for a renewed look. S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 018 57
fashion trends
Versus Versace
en vogue
Forte Couture
Lion Heart
Lion head prints are taking the animal print trend to the next level. Roarrr! From brand logos to graphic interpretations, summer fashion has seen the revival of the free-spirited and rebellious lion head print ruling on t-shirts, bomber jackets, even on shoes and dresses. A symbol of independence and selfconfidence, the lion head print has come to rule in style.
Philipp Plein
accessory Big earrings
When it comes to earrings, this season go big or go home! From giant gobstopper gems, to modern cuffs, through to shoulder-grazing hoops, the earrings become the focal point of every up-to-date outfit. Get the trend and dare to impress! Chanel
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Gucci
Missoni
Hellenic silhouettes, column heeled strappy sandals, jeweled golden armbands and sunglasses, ancient coins as buttons or heaped in necklaces, pottery relief knits, and metal laurel leaf prints gave the tune to yet another amazing Chanel collection. This time around, fashion polymath Karl Lagerfeld revisited the beauty of ancient Greece for Resort 2018 and delivered a collection shed by the Mediterranean light and adorned by all the magnificent symbols of the ancient Greek civilization. Iconic Chanel designs, like the inimitable 2.55 flap-bag, sling-backs, espadrilles and tweed skirt-suits got an update with pastel colours, golden hued prints and Doric shapes. We love the golden laurel leaf print sweater, the strawweaved espadrilles and the so-easy-to-wear saddle bags. Precious fashion treasures to accompany the most stylish looks during your Aegean island hopping holidays. Info: Find the Chanel collection at Tiffany boutique, Olympic Residence Piazza, Tel.: 25582777
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Chanel does
ANCIENT GREECE
in all its glory
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fashion trends
new brand
Do it like (Victoria) Beckham
Pop singer turned style icon turned designer, Victoria Beckham has proved her critics wrong and become one of the most anticipated highlights of New York Fashion Week. Victoria Beckham’s collections have been representative of the icon’s own personal style; her signature long, lean and sculpting dresses are fashion classics adored for their figure-transforming powers. We are now happy to find her diffusion line Victoria Victoria Beckham in Cyprus at Edge Boutique. The collection comprises of cool separates worn a little loose and boyish, that reflect Beckham’s own evolution toward sophisticated modernist sportswear. If you want to look and feel great, Victoria Beckham is the brand for you; we can’t get enough. Info: Find the collection at Edge Boutique, 365, 28th October Avenue, 3107 Limassol, Cyprus. Tel.: 25819595.
Info: Shop the Burberry women’s wear and men’s wear collection at timinis.com
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Dark Denim Comeback
Versus Versace
One of the most iconic fashion houses in the world, Burberry returns season after season with new takes on its heritage staples. The beauty of English country gardens and Equestrian influences become relevant in floral embroideries, tartan trousers and of course the brand’s iconic outerwear staple, the trench coat. This everlasting must-have gets a new season update printed with British-themed illustrations that were originally hand-drawn in the label’s London design studio. For the worldwide brand lovers, this collection is a treasure-trove of collectible pieces not to be missed.
style Colovos
Very Burberry
Coach
collection
It’s everyone’s favorite, a timeless textile, yet no other fabric seems as cool and contemporary as denim. In the hands of Tom Ford, Versus, and Nina Ricci, polished jeans are back for springsummer 2018. An unexpected trend that made a grand come-back, this time around in a new tailored way we never thought would look so good. Style tip: Go double-denim or denim on denim and don’t forget to fasten your jean jacket all the way up for an extra polished look.
Benedetta Bruzziches
Prabal Gurung
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Robert Clergerie
VACATION READY
with a refreshed wardrobe Since designers went bolder with their colour choices for resort, accenting collections with hues that popped with a young, playful energy, we follow their lead to find our new vacation wardrobe key-pieces. Prabal Gurung’s ruffled dresses perfectly channel resort’s trending romance with their broderie anglaise details, midi lengths and flirtatious cut-outs to reveal a slither of skin. This vibrant red beauty is our favourite. There’s no questioning when it comes to choosing the right shoes for summer. Slides and slingbacks are a must-have. Robert Clergerie’s chunky silhouettes and androgynous styles updated with playful detailing and studs make it to the top of our list. No look is complete without the perfect bag, and when it comes to it, we go over the top with an opulent statement piece. Go for velvet with Benedetta Bruzziches sumptuous clutches, or get the high shine with Edie Parker’s gold confetti ones. Info: Find all items at Edge boutique, 365, 28th October Avenue, 3107 Limassol, Cyprus. Tel.: 25819595.
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fashion advertorial
TIMINIS
The leading fashion retailer in Cyprus Focused on sharing a vision with a progressive approach to contemporary fashion since 1933, when the first Timinis boutique opened its doors in Nicosia, today Timinis stores have expanded to 6 branches and 4 outlet stores around Cyprus, classifying the company as one of the leading groups in the fashion and luxury goods industry on the island. 6 2 TO W E R S #1
You can enjoy an outstanding shopping experience in every corner of Cyprus; all you have to do is visit one of the Timinis’ state-of-the-art boutiques. With 1600 Sq. meters of selling space, offices and café, the Timinis flagship store in Nicosia is the placeto-be for every fashion aficionado. The brand new 15000 Sq. meters Limassol store aims to offer a unique shopping experience. The Larnaca store has been newly redeveloped to 800sq. meters, Timinis in Paphos has been designed to impress with 800sq meters of modern space, whereas two newly renovated branches in Ayia Napa have become a favourite meeting point for fashion fans visiting Cyprus from around the world. A wide selection of urban, casual and elegant styles ensures every Timinis boutique’s place as a downtown favourite shopping spot. Timinis concentration of renowned designer labels creates a distinguished collection of ready-to-wear and accessories that meet the demands of every
consumer, thus offering only the most interesting and current picks from a blend of emerging and stand-out brands of men’s, women’s and children’s wear. Amongst the brands represented in Timinis stores around Cyprus are Dsquared2, Kenzo, Diane Von Furstenberg, Burberry, Hugo Boss, Polo Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Tod’s, Hogan, Emporio Armani and Moschino, just to name a few. The company’s key assets for successful development lay in the management and precision control in buying, distribution and customer service. Timinis boutiques provide excellent quality shopping to suit every customer’s ideal of refined taste in retail from around the world. Timinis also undertakes constant growth with business in hotels (Curium Palace Hotel, Limassol), hotel apartments (Lawsonia, Protaras) and luxury estate development in Paphos and Pervolia (Divina Beach Mansions).
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advertorial
TIMINIS
Fashion labels currently available at TIMINIS: Burberry, Dsquared2, Kenzo, Diane Von Furstenberg, Boss Orange, Moncler, Michael Kors, 3X1, Polo Ralph Lauren, Balossa, D. Exterior, Forte Couture, Hogan, Lauren, Emporio Armani, Paul & Shark, Love Moschino, Tod’s, Paul & Joe Sister.
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info: You can find Timinis boutiques in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos and Ayia Napa, or shop online at timinis.com
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fashion and more
shopping Olympic Residence
at its best!
R
ight opposite the magnificent Limassol coastline, you can enjoy the luxurious hospitality of our premises here at Olympic Residence. We set the standard high for a luxury shopping destination as well. There’s nothing you are looking for that can’t be found just a step away. With a range of exclusively selected boutiques, shops and galleries situated in the Olympic Residence courtyard, representing some of the world’s most renowned fashion brands, artworks and home accessories on offer, we rightfully claim to be the city’s best high-end luxury shopping destination. By Christina Tserkezi
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ParaSUERTE
This boutique is the go-to place for parents seeking sophisticated clothing for themselves and their young ones. Home to an exclusive selection of women’s, men’s and kids’ ready-to-wear clothing and accessories, from notable Italian and international designers, ParaSUERTE provides the perfect assortment for every style and taste. Search for La Martina, Just Cavalli, US Polo ASSN, Napapijri, Miss Miss, Marina Yachting, Barbour, Eskey, Imperfect, Colors of California and more.
TIFFANY
Among the first luxury boutiques in Cyprus and home to one of the most important brands worldwide, Tiffany boutique hosts the one and only Chanel corner in the island, amongst other renowned luxury brands. From Missoni and Melissa Odabash swimwear to Red Valentino everyday wear, Marchesa Notte evening dresses, Versace signature pieces, Karl Lagerfeld accessories and many more, Tiffany offers the most qualitative and unique shopping experience in a beautiful environment of fashion and style. The Chanel Corner, a unique establishment in Cyprus, has all the fashion requirements that can be found in a namesake boutique worldwide. The Chanel collections of bags, shoes and accessories are constantly renewed and brought up to date with items presented in every Chanel boutique of all major fashion capitals in the world.
AVANTI FURS
Those eager to invest in a timeless fur coat will find dozens of luxe options at this inimitable place. Avanti brings to you luxurious furs, including the highly valued sable, mink, swakara, chinchilla and lynx, with proven origin and authenticity. The company is based in Kastoria, Greece, and has a 150-year history of producing top quality furs. Five generations later, it has evolved into a dynamic international company that continues to offer women’s most desirable fashion item.
PLANÈTE
Since opening its doors in 2004, Planète has been synonymous with outstanding quality and contemporary style. The boutique has proven its fashion expertise and successfully sells luxurious designer fashion for women and kids through a selection of ready-to-wear collections by international and European designers. Gina shoes, Joseph, Paul & Shark, Baby Dior, Monalisa, Blumarine, Stella McCartney, Philip Plein, Sonia Rykel, US Polo, Bikkembergs are some of the renowned brands represented at Planète. Stylish mums and kids will most certainly experience a warm and children-friendly shopping experience.
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Olympic Resindence
Shopping at its best! MAX & CO
MAX& Co is a contemporary fashion brand born in Italy. Beautifully designed, carefully made and easy to wear, the brand’s clothing and accessories make the everyday extraordinary for stylish women everywhere. A member of the Max Mara group, recognised throughout the world as the precursor of modern pret-à-porter fashion, Max & Co shares the same values for producing feminine clothing according to excellent industrial processes. From fine wool coats to playful evening dresses, to contemporary casual wear, shoes and accessories, there are many reasons to pay a visit to this newly-opened boutique.
DINNES BOUTIQUE
The second branch of a Vienna-based boutique brings to Cyprus an exquisite collection of high-end designer shoes, bags and accessories for men, women and children. Look for Norma Kamali, Elena Makri, Mother, La Reveche, J Brand, Edward Achour, Mara Hoffman, Barba Napoli, Laurence Dacade, Fratelli Rossetti, Rivieras, Simonetta, Aston Martine and Quis Quis among other fashion-forward brands.
NATASHA PAVLUCHENKO
We welcome in Cyprus the polish brand designer, who opened her first boutique on the island just a few months ago, at the Olympic Residence Piazza. Natasha Pavluchenko is a brand for women who first of all value individual style, a unique cut and top quality material. Apart from her evening dresses and special occasion wear, the designer offers casual wear, accessories, as well as lingerie. At her boutique, you can find Natasha Pavluchenko’s exquisite designs and enjoy shopping in an opulent yet cosy atmosphere. 6 8 TO W E R S #1
GOLDEN GALLERY BY KAPATAYS
3F GALLERY
Carefully curated decor is an important step in turning your house into a home and knowing what types of accessories to look for is a great place to start. 3F Gallery features over 50 world famous brands which are the main trendsetters in the marvellous world of luxury houseware. Porcelain dinnerware, crystal and silver flatware, handcrafted gifts, home décor accessories, and the timelessly elegant Villeroy & Boch stemware, dinnerware, cutlery and accessories offer a true taste of luxury through endless choices of pieces with a rich heritage.
If you’re looking for exquisite and authentic art, this is the place to be. Representing renowned artists, prestigious Golden Gallery by Kapatays specializes in buying and selling artworks, art valuation, art investment and consulting. With two galleries in Nicosia and Limassol, it brings to art lovers and collectors the greatest names of the Greek and Cypriot art scene. Masterpieces from Dimitris Mytaras, Alecos Fassianos and Yiannis Gaitis are among the gallery’s most prominent offerings.
NESPRESSO
The world’s most loved addiction finds its place at this Nespresso shop. Nespresso offers high quality, easy to make espresso coffee machines for home and professional use and a wide range of flavours to choose from. The exclusive system of coffee capsules together with innovative machine technology enables Nespresso to capture all the character of a coffee and produce a genuine, high-quality espresso every time. Coffee lovers, you have found your paradise!
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fashion advertorial
TIFFANY BOUTIQUE
Your ultimate luxury shopping destination in Cyprus First launched in 1971 in Nicosia, TIFFANY Boutique presents an exceptional edit of top international luxury fashion brands for women, including the one and only Official Chanel Corner in Cyprus. The boutique that has become the island’s jet-set and aristocracy favourite is a shopping destination not to be missed. 70 TO W E R S #1
Constantly striving to exceed the expectations of those who appreciate the originality and creativity of contemporary fashion, TIFFANY expanded with a second boutique in Limassol in 2012, in the prime shopping hot-spot of the Olympic Residence Piazza. Home to a large family of top European designers, the Limassol boutique encompasses the perfect blend of chic Parisian attitude, Italian elegance and Mediterranean flair. An unmissable pillar of luxury on the Limassol coastline, TIFFANY adopts a serene atmosphere, with a neutral colour scheme that gives importance to the luxurious collections on offer. TIFFANY showcases women’s apparel within a fashionable, calming and welcoming interior, right opposite the sea. The philosophy of TIFFANY seeks to offer all the luxury expected from a boutique of Tiffany’s heritage and standard, as well as homely comforts where customers are always welcome to relax in the small salons facing the sea listening to music, reading modern books and fashion magazines while enjoying a glass of champagne or coffee.
All brands represented at both TIFFANY Boutiques in Nicosia and Limassol are complemented with their accessories, bags, shoes, scarves, belts and jewellery, thus offering an incomparable plethora of choices to fashion lovers resulting in a shopping experience similar to no other.
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advertorial
TIFFANY Boutique
Brands available at TIFFANY: CHANEL, OSCAR DE LA RENTA, MISSONI, PHILOSOPHY, RED VALENTINO, MARCHESA NOTTE, EMILIO PUCCI, KARL LAGERFELD, P.A.R.O.S.H, PHILLIP LIM, JONATHAN SIMKHAI, MELISSA ODABASH, SARA BATTAGLIA, CULT GAIA, PREEN, VERSACE COLLECTION, VERSUS VERSACE, GIAMBA PARIS, MOEVA, DOROTHEE SCHUMACHER, NORMA KAMALI, COTE, ANTONINO VALENTI, MESSAGERIE, SAMANTHA SUNG, SARA ROKA, DONNA KARAN, DKNY, TEMPTATION POSITANO, AMEN, ELIZABETH AND JAMES, MINO MAESTRELLI, CLIPS and more.
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info: Tiffany Nicosia: 77A Arch. Makarios III Avenue, T. +357 22 374070 Tiffany Limassol: 28th Oktovriou Avenue, Olympic Residence Plaza, T. +357 25 582777 www.tiffany-boutique.com Facebook: TiffanyBoutiqueCyprus Instagram: tiffanyboutiquecy
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fashion advertorial
EDGE Boutique
Taking fashion one step forward Situated at Vashiotis Seafront, a glass-front building just across the sea and only a few metres away from the Olympic Residence Complex, EDGE is one of Limassol’s most fashionforward and visually impressive boutiques. 74 TO W E R S #1
At EDGE Boutique international fashion meets luxury and shopping experience that takes every demanding customer to another dimension, in a luxurious and comfortable environment that aims to make the consumer experience an unforgettable and unique fashion voyage. In its vast elegant surroundings and artistic interior, international brands are showcased alongside emerging designers across two floors, with each level featuring unique focal points such as its jaw-dropping crystal chandelier, lavish mirrors and baroque couches and chairs, to contrast the minimal setting of the boutique’s
interior. The mother-daughter duo, Maria Vashiotou and Andrea Christodoulidou, who run the boutique, express their passion for curating a ‘who’s who’ list of well-known and emerging talents, that can be seen in the thoughtfully edited buys. Some of the boutique’s exclusive and renowned brands include; Antonio Berardi, Vera Wang, Damir Doma, Prabal Gurung, Moose Knuckles, Messagerie, Victoria Victoria Beckham, Jil Sander, Twinset, Philipp Plein Sport, Lab Pal Zileri, Μοu Boots and more.
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advertorial
EDGE Boutique
From casual wear to red carpet outfits, there’ s no style, budget and occasion that EDGE Boutique’s collections cannot address, for both men and women. In addition to all that, the customers of EDGE Boutique enjoy their shopping experience with a glass of champagne or wine and great customer service from the boutique’s professional team. All these creative suggestions, updated trends, services and fashion choices for every occasion for both women’s and men’s fashion, make EDGE boutique a new proposal in the field of modern fashion and the place to be for every fashion lover. Get the EDGE Boutique vibe by visiting the personal blog of the boutique’s owner, Maria Vashiotou, mariavashiotou.com
EDGE BOUTIQUE Member of Vashiotis Group Of Companies Address: 365, 28th October Avenue, 3107 Limassol, Cyprus Tel.: 25819595 Facebook / Instagram
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Maria Vashiotou and Andrea Christodoulidou, EDGE Boutique owners.
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profile
IRO KASKANI
A piece of jewellery is a powerful vehicle for communicating our identity
S
ome years ago I used to believe: “My education and experience in architecture are guiding my creativity and my work is mostly determined by an interest to compose fine metals with alternative material and define new forms.” Later on, I concretised my thoughts stating: “Architecture is built environments, planned and designed to function as shelter or vessels of activities and thus it is fostering a physical relationship with the user, inhabitant or viewer. Jewellery takes this physical relationship further into intimacy by the change of scale and placement on the body. Through my work, I find it intriguing to explore ideas of space, scale and absence of symmetry, enabling me to combine precious metals with non-precious elements. Designing jewellery feels like investigating form, structure, and balance to derive a piece of art which will have an intimate physical relationship with the human body and will be completed only when it becomes part of the wearer’s experience and expression. A piece of jewellery is a powerful vehicle for communicating our identity.” Recently I realised that my curiosity is the most powerful motivating factor behind my work. I’m curious to see things that I visualise becoming facts, to elaborate an idea, to experiment on a certain technique, to see how this or that material is treated, to investigate on how a vision can be a wearable object and yet to see how others perceive my work.
CV Iro Kaskani attended university in Florence, Italy, completing her studies in architecture at the Università degli studi di Firenze in 1994. She attended jewellery design courses and received training in goldsmithing at the Scuola professionale dalla Regione Toscana. She worked as an architect up until 2007 and also presented three personal exhibitions on contemporary jewellery in Cyprus. Since 2008, she has fully dedicated herself to the art of jewellery-making. She has participated in group exhibitions on contemporary jewellery in Cyprus, Greece, Germany, Denmark, Spain and China. She taught jewellery design in Cyprus at the Aigaia School of Fine and Applied Arts from 2006 to 2013.
Facebook: Iro Kaskani at the Space in between Email: iro.kaskani@cytanet.com.cy Address: Katsoni, 4c, 1082, Agioi Omologites, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Circle OF LOVE people
Local photographer Marina Shacola uses her work for a local charity supporting poor children in Kenya since 2008 to meet the needs of children in all-day schools across Cyprus By Melissa Hekkers
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MARINA SHACOLA CIRCLE OF LOVE
Α
decade since the foundation of the ‘Sophia Foundation for Children,’ its Chairwoman Marina Shacola pinpoints the ‘circle of love’ the association has completed; a process she defines by describing the on-going activities of the foundation in Africa and their benefits locally. The ‘Sophia Foundation for Children’ focuses on fighting poverty and its repercussions, with its main activities bearing fruit in Kenya since 2008. Predominantly active through the Makarios Children’s Home, an orphanage established in Nyeri, the foundation’s operations aim to provide security and safety, board and lodging, healthcare, education and recreation to children in areas plagued by poverty and famine. Yet since 2013, following Cyprus’ financial meltdown, the foundation felt it necessary to respond to local needs, through their intervention at 16 all-day schools across the island. “In 2008, volunteers from Cyprus went to help children in western Kenya and today, the know-how that they attained by going into the depths of the jungle, creating feeding programmes and provide basic medical care in schools that had nothing, is being used in our schools,” Marina said about the journey of the foundation. “At the time, we spoke to the ministry of education (in Cyprus) and found out that a number of all-day schools - a great concept especially in communities where parents need help because they can’t provide the correct food - were ready to collapse,” said Marina. “We decided to support this concept. We found out which communities were affected most by the crisis and with our know-how from Kenya, we created the ‘I Cook and I Offer’ programme through which we hire unemployed mothers to work in kitchens which we set up and fully equip within schools…” “We supply the food for all children in these schools to eat without any discrimination or racism,” she affirms. The foundation’s most recent project is a school in
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We supply the food for all children in these schools to eat without any discrimination or racism
Limassol. “We were very shocked that in 2017, so many years after the crisis, that we were obliged to get involved in a new school in the heart of Limassol, surrounded by the development and prosperity of the town. A school in which 80% of parents are unemployed; a multicultural school where there was no communication amongst parents, there wasn’t even a parent’s committee,” explained Marina. Today, the school has been fully equipped and is fully functional, a parent’s committee has been created and parents are employed to sustain the project. “When you show the way and you give people the opportunity to work and have dignity, there is no way they won’t grasp it,” says Marina. “Mothers came close to us immediately, they started working in the kitchen and they have created a parent’s committee. There are so many different cultures coexisting in this school, imagine how all these cultures can mix together and become something so interesting.” “This is something that makes me really proud about being a volunteer of the Sophia Foundation. Magically, something happened which us volunteers call ‘a circle of love’; this circle of love is the way we can move forward in the world and change the fate of some children who are the most vulnerable group in any community.” “It’s very important for each and every one of us on this earth to understand that we are all affected, either positively or negatively, by what’s happening around
the world… “Whether this has to do with climate change, or looking at something that you did, or something that someone did on the other side of the world, it has an effect on you. If we realise this, I believe that the world will be a much better place,” said Marina. In Kenya, the Sophia Foundation helps communities by providing them work and asking them to make handicrafts. The foundation provides them with the tools they need as well as the materials, enabling them to work with their families. In Cyprus these handicrafts are sold at various locations and events, with all proceeds going to the children at the orphanage in Kenya as well as the designated schools in Cyprus. The initiation of the Foundation “Everything begins from a sparkle, an idea that derives from someone’s experience,” reveals Marina about the foundation’s beginnings. As a well-established photographer, Marina was initially invited to go to Africa to volunteer as a photographer with the Doctors of the World. “It was a shocking experience; it is inconceivable for someone that lives in the western world to understand how so many people can live in the desert, trapped for so many years.” On her last day, Marina happened to visit the Makarios orphanage; an abandoned monastery for orthodox women that had been created by the orthodox Archdiocese of Kenya, set in a beautiful area nearly four hours from the capital Nairobi, near mount Kenya. “The conditions were such… I was embarrassed. I was embarrassed that I was leaving; how could I leave children behind with the saddest eyes that I have ever seen, sick with aids… this silent gaze stayed with me. I couldn’t be at ease until I found a way to help these children. That’s how it started,” recalls Marina. Today the orphanage and all its related initiatives are undertaken fully by the Sophia Foundation, having invested almost half a million euros to build two dormitories, provide solar heating and running water S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 018 8 3
MARINA SHACOLA CIRCLE OF LOVE
and tend to children’s mental, physical, medical and educational needs. “This is a place where they feel safe, somewhere where they eat the right food and attain a path to education. The most important thing for us isn’t to give them a piece of bread to survive; what will they do with that tomorrow? It is through safety and education and the right food in order for them to be healthy that we try and change this vicious circle of poverty and disease,” argues Marina. She talks fondly about one of the foundation’s most important projects; that of taking children out of juvenile detention centres. “Under our guardianship, we have helped about 100 children come out of prisons. They move forward because someone gives them a chance, someone believes in them.” Over the years, Marina has found an ideal balance between her passion as a photographer and her calling as a volunteer. Her most recent publication entitled “Green Room” which presents a vast array of portraits of children taken in the orphanage in Kenya is another means used to gather funding for the foundation. A number of photo exhibitions have been set up over the years, a similar initiative will travel to Germany, Monaco and Berlin in 2018. “One comes to feed the other,” admits Marina. “Don’t forget that it’s my work as a photographer that first took me to Kenya.” 8 4 TO W E R S #1
S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 018 8 5
good life Kyperounda Winery
A passion for good wine Kyperounda Winery’s vineyard is one of the highest in Europe and produces high-quality wine varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
T
he vineyards of Kyperounda have always been known for their high quality. With this in mind, a group of viticulturists along with experienced wine-growers set out to exploit this potential. Their initiative met at the most opportune time with the vision of the Photiades family for the creation of Cypriot wines of high quality and distinct character. In 1998, the winery was established and three years later the first experimental wines were vinified, establishing a wine series and the first commercial harvest of its wines were marketed in 2003. The winery’s vineyard is 1400 meters above sea level making it one of the highest in Europe. The climate of the area is ideal for producing and maturing high-quality varieties of wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The unique climate of Kyperounda, the modernly equipped winery and, of course, the great talent and knowledge of the company’s oenologist contribute to the
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production of superior quality wines. The innovative winery of Kyperounda - a member of the Photiades Group - is built on three levels so that it can use gravity to transfer the grape juice in a smoother way. Thanks to the high-tech equipment and the team of the winery’s associates,
photiadesgroup.com/kyperounda 102 Griva Digeni Avenue, 4876 Kyperounda, Limassol, Cyprus Tel:Â Â +357 25532043
equipment of the Winery guarantee the quality characteristics of the selected grapes, for the production of excellent wines that meet the expectations of wine connoisseurs. Everyone in the team at the Kyperounda Winery shares the same passion for good wine. The range of products of the winery consists of nine wines: Petritis, Andesitis, Rose, Psila Klimata, Alimos, Skopos, EPOS white, EPOS red and Commandaria.
the wine is bottled under exceptional conditions. Production has now reached 300,000 bottles per year. And in the underground cellar, there are 300 oak barrels, of 225-liters capacity, in which the wines are allowed to mature. The up-to-date facilities and the
S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 018 87
PROFILE
Insurance Underwriting Agencies
Your reliable partners
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or the last 75 years, Prodromou & Makriyiannis Insurance Underwriting Agencies serve an esteemed clientele with respect and devotion. We offer a wide range of products and provide bespoke insurance solutions to our clients’ needs as these evolved over the years. Honesty, integrity and business ethics are at the heart of all aspects of our business functioning, part of our core philosophy includes quality of service and security for our clients. Constantinos Prodromou and Michael Makriyiannis who are heading the firm share the passion to excel as they grew up in this environment where both of their families had a long and established insurance history. Many of our clients have a long history of doing business with us and often this is passed on from one generation to the next one! Prodromou & Makriyiannis insurance Underwriting Agencies & Consultants Ltd benefit from a wealth of experience and years of successful co-operations, focusing on quality of service combined with tried and tested security for their clients’ peace of mind. We have a wide spectrum of partnerships offering clients all the products they may need. Our insurance operations range from holding the Coverholder at Lloyd’s status, operating several Binding Authorities in different classes of business on behalf of Lloyd’s Managing Agents, to the appointment as agents of a
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Constantinos Prodromou Managing Director
number of other European Insurers and international brokers as well as retail brokers of local Insurers. We offer insurance coverage ranging from simple policies for individual clients to complex solutions for commercial organisations. Prodromou & Makriyiannis Insurance Underwriting Agencies & Consultants Ltd carries a wealth of experience and years of successful representation of international insurers and brokers in Cyprus, focusing on high quality service combined with top security for clients. P&M was formed through the merger of the operations of PUA (Prodromou Underwriting Agency) – established in 1969 and one of the first agencies to hold Binding Authorities from Lloyd’s – with JMS (John Makriyiannis Insurance Agency),
Michael Makriyiannis General Manager
established in the late 1940’s as a partnership (Company Registered in 1976) to represent the Gresham of the Legal & General group and Ecclesiastical Insurance. PUA and JMS joined forces in 2008 forming Prodromou & Makriyiannis, one of the largest insurance agency firms in Cyprus, bringing together 75 solid years of dedicated service to the industry, servicing both our clients and the insurers we represent through meticulous underwriting and strong management. We offer insurance cover ranging from simple private lines and commercial insurance products (motor, property, accident, medical, liability, professional indemnity, D&O, marine, aviation) to customised insurance solutions and risk management.
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Lloyd’s Coverholder and agent for many other international brokers We are Lloyd’s Coverholders and operate several Binding Authorities in different classes of business on behalf of Lloyd’s Managing Agents. In addition we are appointed agents for a number of other European Insurers and international brokers, such as Lumen Insurance, a trade name of GasanMamo Insurance Ltd, a general insurance company regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority operating in Cyprus through freedom of establishment offering motor, property and liability policies to our customers. GasanMamo is the second largest insurer in Malta supported by some of the world’s largest and strongest reinsurers. Prodromou & Makiyiannis Insurance is also the Network Partner of Willis, one of the biggest insurance brokers in the world, servicing their international accounts in Cyprus. Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ: WLTW ) is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps clients around the world unlock potential turning risk into a path for growth. With roots dating to 1828, WTW has 40,000 employees serving more than 140 countries designing delivering solutions that manage risk, optimise benefits, cultivate talent, and protect and strengthen institutions and individuals. Prodromou & Makriyiannis Insurance has been AVUS Correspondent for Cyprus during the last 20 years. AVUS is an international claims handling company based in Vienna Austria with offices worldwide.
Head & Sales Office – Cyprus The Riverside Forum, Ground Floor, 2A Ioanninon & Cheilonos Streets, 1101 Nicosia Tel: +357 22 353625 Fax: +357 22 353516 Email: info@pminsurancebrokers.com Contact: Michael Makriyiannis, Constantinos Prodromou
Insurance services We offer a comprehensive range of insurance services in Cyprus, the United Kingdom and other international markets we are licenced to operate. Insurance needs of both personal and business nature are addressed with professionalism and at attractive rates. Our list of insurance services includes: • Property insurance • Motor insurance • Marine cargo insurance • Casualty insurance • Travel insurance • Medical insurance • Professional liability insurance • Contractors all risks • Personal accident insurance • All risks insurance • Aviation insurance • Life insurance • Risk analysis and claim handling
www.pminsurancebrokers.com London Branch – UK 8-11 Crescent, London EC3N 2LY Tel: (0) 207 480 1098 Fax: (0) 207 480 1277 Contact: Constantinos Prodromou Email: uk@pminsurancebrokers.com General enquiries Email: ukinfo@pminsurancebrokers.com S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 018 8 9
INVEST IN CYPRUS INTERVIEW
Ideal destination for investors Doing business in Cyprus makes people want to stay By Annie Charalambous
There are many reasons why Cyprus makes an ideal place in which to invest and to live that justifies the speedy recovery of its economy which hit turbulence five years ago. This is what former Director
C
yprus is an ideal place to invest and to live in and not only because of its unique combination of competitive advantages, said Natasa Pilides. She took over as Deputy Minister of Shipping on March 1 after a very successful term at CIPA (Invest Cyprus). “The country’s economy has also showcased in the past few years, another reason why it deserves the foreign investors’ vote of confidence,” Pilides said. “I’m referring to its ability to adjust to external shocks and bounce back not only with lessons well learnt but also with multiple opportunities and positive prospects to the benefit of its economy and therefore of investors,” she added. For eleven consecutive quarters, the economy of the Mediterranean island expanded with positive rates, reaching 4% in 2017. Cyprus, after all, has an attractive tax system, a robust and modern legal framework and strong business support services to ensure both the ease and low cost of doing business. In addition, its geostrategic position provides access to European and international markets, and a wide pool of high calibre talent combined with a high standard of living
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General of Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency (Invest Cyprus) Natasa Pilides and Evgenios Evgeniou, President of the Cyprus-Russia Business Association, told Towers magazine.
and a long tradition of hospitality. Not to mention that the new under-secretariat for maritime affairs will ensure a one-stop shop support for Cyprus shipping. “Shipping offers great potential with the commercialization of the Limassol Port and operation of the new autonomous Deputy Ministry of Shipping, which will ensure a dedicated, one-stop shop support to the Cyprus maritime cluster,” Pilides said. “The aim is for Cyprus to better promote and capitalise on its competitive advantages as well as new opportunities emerging in the international arena,” she added. As the first ever Deputy Minister of Shipping, Pilides pledged to work with strong commitment and dedication towards the design and implementation of an integrated strategy. This strategy will aim to achieve the effective promotion and growth of the sector at international level as well as the improvement of its operational framework, she said. Another highly attractive sector with a most promising outlook is that of energy. Discoveries so far have been very encouraging and it is expected that Cyprus will be
Natasa Pilides
Evgenios Evgeniou
Opportunities in emerging and traditional sectors
Russian confidence helped the economy grow
able to act as a regional energy hub in the wider Eastern Mediterranean. Besides hydrocarbons, Cyprus, due to a favourable climate, can also benefit a lot from renewable energy exploitation with various projects supporting RES and energy-saving investments now in the pipeline. Moreover, there are ample opportunities for investment in a number of emerging and traditional sectors, reflecting the strong growth potential of the Cyprus economy. “We see great potential in regional headquartering which runs cross-sectors, mainly due to the low operating costs Cyprus offers to investors, in addition to the availability of high-quality human talent and professional services,” Pilides said. “Especially in view of Brexit, we see even greater potential in Cyprus to be used as a regional base for companies wishing to retain an EU presence,” she added. In this regard, Invest Cyprus has allocated a specific budget to capitalise on the prospects that lie ahead, through a series of events and meetings with companies looking to relocate from the UK. Start-Ups and technology, for which significant incentives have already been introduced
to boost entrepreneurship and innovation, are certainly amongst the main priorities of the promotion agency. “One of the fastest growing sectors with considerable potential is the investment funds sector, which has recorded an increase of 18% per annum since 2014,” she said. “Tourism, one of the traditionally strong sectors of the economy now experiences further growth due to developments such as the construction of the first integrated casino resort and many other large-scale projects, which are expected to bring multiple benefits for the economy.” The Cyprus economy has recorded a steady and solid increase in GDP growth rates over the past three years. Schemes granting foreign investors Cypriot Citizenship and Immigration Permits have certainly contributed towards that. “They are considered significant tools that give investors the opportunity to experience the benefits of both living and doing business in Cyprus,” Pilides said. “As long as they are managed and promoted properly and continue to be a source of growth for the Cyprus economy, we do not see any reason why the programmes should not continue as they are.” S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 018 91
INVEST IN CYPRUS INTERVIEW
It is the continued confidence of Russian and other foreign investors that has significantly contributed to the recovery of Cyprus’ economy, Evgenios Evgeniou said. “It’s true that the consequences (of the ‘haircut’ on bank deposits in 2013) have been harsh for the country, with the banking sector bearing the brunt of a financial assistance package,” he added. “After the initial shock, business people and foreign investors focused on the recovery. It’s the continued confidence of foreign investors including Russians that significantly contributed to the recovery.” The President of the Cyprus-Russia Business Association believes that Nicosia traditionally has very good relations with Moscow, stemming from common religious and cultural roots. As an EU member state with a stable tax system and political stability safeguarding property rights, Cyprus offers a good base for business and great opportunities for investors, Evgeniou said. Tax resident companies benefit from Cyprus’ extensive and growing double taxation treaty network, which includes Russia, as well as access to EU directives. “The OECD includes Cyprus on the White List of jurisdictions that have substantially implemented the internationally agreed tax standard on transparency and exchange of information.” “The country’s lifestyle, climate, transport and infrastructure, as well as healthcare and education system, contribute to creating a welcoming and pleasant environment for foreign investors and their families.” Nonetheless, Evgeniou warned of the challenges that lie ahead for Russian businesspeople. “The Cyprus economy has been growing for the last three years and the public finances are on a solid basis. This is reflected in the successive upgrades in the ratings of the economy and the easy access to financing by the government at record low-interest rates,” Evgeniou said. “In terms of the challenges that lie ahead, the main one is the high level of Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) in the banking sector, coupled with the relatively high level of private debt in the economy.” Evgeniou argued that in the context of the European banking union, Cyprus needs to implement a systemic solution to address this issue. 9 2 TO W E R S #1
As an EU member state with a stable tax system and political stability safeguarding property rights, Cyprus offers a good base for business and great opportunities for investors
Plus there is room for improvement when it comes to the island’s competitiveness and productivity. “We have grown in the last few years and, obviously, there has been a big turnaround in the economy but the fact remains that we need to become more competitive and much more productive,” he said. “The private and public sectors both need to work in a much smarter way and to move decisively into the digital era.” For investors, there are opportunities in the traditional sectors such as tourism and real estate as well as in emerging sectors such as education, renewable energy and research and development. Cyprus is also developing as a funds jurisdiction, a regional head quartering base and a family office location, he said. As for the Russian “de-offshorisation” legislation which took effect as of January 1, 2015, this has resulted in significant changes in the way of doing business. “It is worth mentioning that both Cyprus and Russia have introduced measures and legislation for increased transparency,” Evgeniou said. “Cyprus - with its robust legal framework, which ensures asset protection, its stable tax regime and double taxation treaty with Russia - provides the complete solution for inbound and outbound investments.”
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INVEST IN CYPRUS ARTICLE
Sail and Save: The Cyprus VAT Yacht Leasing Scheme By Alexis Tsielepis and Panayiotis Panayi
A
s part of its efforts to boost its competiveness as a tax jurisdiction, Cyprus introduced in March 2012 the VAT Yacht Leasing Scheme (VYLS). The mechanics of the scheme are based on the EU VAT Directive, as implemented in Cyprus. The VYLS provides that any portion of leasing that takes place outside Cyprus and outside EU waters has a place of supply outside the EU and is thus not subject to VAT. To avoid burdensome mechanisms of monitoring the actual movement of each yacht, the Cyprus Tax Department introduced fixed rates of assumed use within the EU based on the length and how a yacht is powered. Applying the fixed rates means that the effective VAT rate for acquiring a yacht could be reduced from the standard rate of 19% down to just under 2.5% based on the characteristics of each yacht. Indicatively, for motor-powered yachts under 8-metres in length the full standard VAT rate will apply on all lease payments. Different rates then apply for different lengths. For example, motor yachts up to 14m are assumed to have use within the 9 4 TO W E R S #1
Alexis Tsielepis Managing Director Chelco VAT Ltd
Panayiotis Panayi Director Chelco VAT Ltd
a.tsielepis@chelcovat.com
p.panayi@chelcoVAT.com
EU of 60% which means that lease payments are only subject to VAT at 60% of the full rate. The maximum benefit is enjoyed by motor yachts exceeding 65m in length, which have an assumed use within the EU of only 10%, thus applying the full VAT rate on just 10% of the lease payments. Similar rates apply for sailing boats with the main difference being that the full standard VAT rate applies to sailing yachts of up to 10m. Just like motor boats, the maximum benefit is enjoyed by sailing yachts exceeding 65m in length. For a 70m, €200million mega yacht, the VAT savings reach a whopping €33,000,000! So, what are the conditions of the VYLS and how does it work?
Conditions: a. Lessor must be a VAT-registered Cyprus company. The lessee may be any legal or physical person regardless of their residency. b. The yacht needs to sail to Cyprus within one month from the time the lease agreement is put in effect. (Extensions may be granted at the discretion of the Commissioner, which cannot exceed the lease duration). c. The value of the yacht will need to be ascertained either via the purchase documentation (usually applicable for newbuilds) or an independent valuation (usually applicable for the purchase of used yachts) as may be required by the VAT Department. d. The yacht length is determined as per the builder’s certificate.
e. Lease payments will be monthly and the agreement can be neither shorter than 3 months (91 days, to meet the long term leasing definition) nor longer than 48 months. f. The lessee needs to contribute a minimum initial contribution of 40% of the yacht value. This is subject to VAT at the reduced effective rate based on the yacht specifications. g. Over the length of the leasing agreement the lessor must have a profit of no less than 5% of the yacht value. This means that the total value of the lease agreement should represent the purchase value of the yacht plus an additional minimum 5% margin. Half of that margin, that is 2.5% of the yacht value, is applied over the lease payments and the other half over the final payment. h. The final payment under the option to purchase the yacht by the lessee cannot be less than 2.5% of the yacht value. This final payment is always subject to the standard VAT rate (i.e. 19% as of 13/01/2014). i. To be able to apply the VYLS prior application and written approval by the Commissioner of Taxation is required. The Cyprus VYLS has no restrictions on the yacht’s flag, which means that the yacht may be registered under any ship register in the world.
Mechanics of the scheme: a.The lessor will acquire the yacht. No VAT will apply on the acquisition (neither under acquisition accounting for EU purchases nor import VAT for non-EU purchases) as that VAT would be fully recoverable under the premise that the lessor engages in taxable transactions with the right to deduct for VAT purposes, being the leasing of the yacht. b. The lessor will have applied for the VYLS and obtained approval from the
Example A 70m-long motor boat valued at €200 million for a leasing period of 12 months. Net Amounts Involved: Calculations Yacht value 2,5% required profit Total value incl. 2,5% expected profit 40% initial contribution by lessee Total value of lease payments Monthly lease payments 2,5% final payment
€ 200,000,000 5,000,000 205,000,000 80,000,000 125,000,000 10,416,667/month 5,000,000
Tax amounts involved over the lease period: VAT amounts Initial contribution 12 Lease payments Final payment Total VAT paid under VYLS Effective VAT rate (4,845,000/200,000,000)
VAT Department in writing. c. The lessor will submit monthly VAT returns on which it will not be allowed to deduct input VAT on any expenses and will be required to record the lease installments and related output VAT as per the approved VYLS. d. Once the VYLS is completed and all VAT returns have been duly submitted and VAT payments duly settled, a VAT paid certificate will be issued that needs to accompany the yacht in original to prove to the Tax Authorities of other jurisdictions that EU VAT has been duly discharged in Cyprus for the specific yacht. e. When the yacht first arrives in
Effective VAT Rate 1.9% 1.9% 19%
VAT Amount (€) 1,520,000 2,375,000 950,000 4,845,000
2.4%
Cyprus it will be required to undertake all import and customs procedures and import duties may be applicable depending on whether the yacht is an EU product or an import. The Cyprus VYLS has proven to be a very efficient scheme with regards to the time and procedures required to obtain approval and a very beneficial scheme in terms of the effective VAT rate levied compared to the standard rate applicable in Cyprus. As a measure of comparison, the Cyprus VYLS is more tax efficient than the Maltese VYLS with a minimum effective VAT rate of 2.4% compared to Malta’s 5.4%.
Chelco VAT Ltd, Dedicated VAT Consultants www.chelcoVAT.com S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 018 9 5
id
Towers
THE OLYMPIC RESIDENCE’S EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE
Owner Towers Condo Services Ltd Olympic Residence Towers www.olympicrentals.com tel. +357 25 247000 | d.tsangaras@olympicresidence.com Publishers ALFA DIMIOURGIKI www.alfa.com.cy ΜC DIGITAL MEDIA www.mcmedia.com.cy Marketing & Advertising executive Despina Efstathiou Editorial team Charlie Charalambous (Chief Editor), Annie Charalambous, Kleanthis Kleanthous, Melissa Hekkers, Christina Tserkezi, Nicole Zeniou, Maria Efstathiou Photography Tassos Angelou (cover), James Phillips, Alexandros Stavrinos, Demetris Pastellas, istock.com Design ROTA EKDOTIKI Photo editing Not So Big Fish Productions Printing PROTEAS PRESS ISSN 2547-9075 (PRINT) - ISSN 2547-9083 (ONLINE)
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Z.G.H Watches & Jewellery Ltd 33 Georgiοu A’ Street, Pecora Beach House, Limassol – Cyprus Tel: +357 25 323168
www.zachariaswatches.com