8 minute read
Soulla Christodoulou
The Summer Will Come
by Soulla Christodoulou
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Born in London to Greek Cypriot parents, author Soulla Christodoulou was the first in her family to go to university. The Summer Will Come was selected by Barnet Libraries as a book club read in the Year of Learning Festival 2019. Her poetry has won various competitions and has been featured in e-magazines and on literary websites. The Summer Will Come is currently under contract to be translated into Greek and has been earmarked as a book to movie project. It is a historical fiction novel whose title has been taken from one of Evagoras Pallikarides’ most famous poems and who was also one of the EOKA heroes of the time. “It’s one of those stories which matters because it will touch the true experiences of many families and reminds us of our family roots and homeland’s history. With immigration and the plight of refugees still very much in the fore of people’s minds, this narrative is still all too painfully familiar. It is so important we continue to create imagery, stories and have conversations about this,” says Christodoulou. The story, written over a two year period and after conducting many face-toface interviews with family and friends, begins in 1950s Cyprus in the villages of Ayios Tychonas, Limassol and Kato Lefkara, Larnaca; the origins of Christodoulou’s parents’ families. “Writing a story around my own family’s villages and homes in Cyprus was emotional and I have been deeply touched by the sacrifices made by my grandparents to start all over again in a new country. The same sacrifices made by thousands of families at the time.” EOKA, British rule, and the fight for Enosis (unity) disrupt the world of two Greek Cypriot families, living in different villages on the island. They are desperately trying to cope with the unpredictability of this fractious time. Circumstances over a five-year period push both families to escape to London where, as immigrants, they struggle to settle, face new challenges, deal with trauma and find a way to cope with missing their homeland's traditions and culture. Both families' lives cross paths in London and it seems that happier beginnings could be theirs. But at what cost? A story of passion for a country in turmoil, family love, loyalty and treachery and how, sometimes, starting over isn't always as imagined. “As first generation UK Cypriots we have heard these stories from our parents and grandparents. As time goes on they are fast becoming the only tangible links to a past which has coloured our own lives and brought us to where we are. Finding a way to connect with and honour those stories is something we should all be mindful of; the connection will not always be there, especially for second and third generation members of our families. Identity is not only the product of traditions and culture but of time and place. It is the key to everything including feelings of security and belonging and provides a place to share our values and beliefs,” she says. Readers have described the book as “an incredibly rich read with compelling characters and an involving story” and “a great read that is part of the history of Cyprus and London”. 29
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RESTAURANT
Lifestyle chats to Andreas Olympus, owner of Woody’s in Protaras and part of a family chain of restaurants throughout the area
Tell us about your
family My father after working three jobs to support his family, came up with the idea to open a restaurant. The first one was in Ayia Napa by Landa beach and then he opened a second one in the centre called The Good Fortune which was very very busy until the mid 90s. Then he found a restaurant on Protaras and opened that. We used to cater for 600 people at la carte every night. I was 18 years old and I was the manager looking after 26 waiters. That’s how busy we were. I was in the army and coming back to help my family business and that is how I learnt my trade.
When did you open
Woody’s? I opened in 2016 and it was me and my brother. I was also a lifeguard (9 years as a life guard) and was working two jobs, working from 9am until 7pm on the beach and then coming straight here until 4am in the morning. I did it for a couple of weeks and then I gave up being a lifeguard because I couldn’t do both. I went to the town hall who managed the lifeguards and asked for two years off so I could dedicate my time to my business.
Do you miss being a
lifeguard? Very much so, I loved it but the money was very bad. It was hard to leave as I was very good at my job, with excellent reviews. It is very important to me that whatever I do I always put the customer first and make sure they are happy. This applies to Woody’s too, everyone who comes here is my family, not guests. It is my passion, my life and respect goes a long way, whatever I do.
What makes Woodys
so special? There are no clubs in Protaras, and bar and restaraunt owners come here after they finish work. There is a lot of respect for this place, everyone is like
family, I am very happy for everyone to be happy here. We all look out for each other. I found this place because it overlooks the church on the hill and this is what makes people come here. We are on the outskirts of Protaras, we are the first bar or the last bar on will I strongly believe we will get through this united and everyone needs to get back to normality. It is paradise here.
the main road. I always wanted my on place from the age of 19 and this is perfect as I take the good parts of every person.
Are you optimistic for the rest of the season?
Well with power and good
Leoforos Protara-Kavo Gkreko 298, Protaras 5296 Live music every Friday • OPEN EVERYDAY UNTIL LATE Visit www.facebook.com/woodysinn1
A LIFESTYLE OF WELLNESS Ekaterina Sophia in Larnaca
Wellness witchcraft
Wise men and women off all times have a unique set of activities they perform consciously or automatically. These daily rituals give them something more than the ordinary person can attain. So what do successful people do to be successful? Everyone wants to have the secret formula to success. The truth is you already know what it is, you just need the wisdom and the willpower to perform it daily. The formula to success is to consistently do a set of actions that align your mind and emotions to be in your optimal state. The answer is simple, yet deeply complex. Contradiction is the nature of our dualistic reality. Within the contradictions you must find the balance and create harmony. To celebrate this magic season of Halloween below is a Wellness ritual you can try. Create harmony of the mind and body by bringing the five elements into balance. Earth: Spend some minutes standing barefoot on the earth. Take a few deep breaths through your nose and then begin to imagine you are breathing in and out of soles of your feet. Water: Place a glass of high quality drinking water in your hands and whisper positive affirmations into the glass. Something like “I am radiant health in my body now”. Then take a moment to feel gratitude in your heart and drink the water. Air: Find a place that is peaceful for you, ideally with fresh air. Take your time to breathe in as deeply as you can 10 times. Each time counting the in breath and out breath to be longer. Fire: Light a candle or a fire. With open hands feel the warmth of the fire and imagine your inner fire becoming brighter. Turn around feeling the warmth on your back. Spirit: Take a deep breath and feel your body first. Decide on your favourite method of going within, such as prayer or meditation and with your full feeling practice this. Joy and deep relaxation is also a great way to connect to spirit. I wish you a magical October and deep insight into what makes you show up as your best self each day. With joy,
Ekaterina Sophia
Join Ekaterina for meditations at The Tree of Life in Larnaca, Thursdays 6pm
