7 minute read
Transforming Tradition
In Cyprus, tradition is not a thing of the past; it’s a living force that constantly evolves. Here, ancient crafts are revived and reimagined, bridging history and innovation to create a vibrant legacy for the future.
Tradition. It’s a word that conjures images of exquisite tapestries, timeless frescoes and finely-crafted ceramics. Of a rich legacy of artistry passed down from hand to hand; a narrative stretching back through the centuries. Yet our traditions are not something frozen in time -- they are alive, unfolding with each era. They adapt, bringing the beauty of the past into the present and inspiring the creations of the future: evolution born of innovation. And in Cyprus, such evolution is breathing new life into age-old crafts. This is not an island that has ever abandoned its roots or traded its customs for the allure of modernity. Here, tradition is all around, woven into everyday life. It is found in the weaving of intricate lace, the firing of earthenware, the distillation of ancient spirits; in customs handed down from mother to daughter, grandfather to grandson. Yet while many of these traditional practices feature on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, they are far more than historical artefacts or cultural showcases. Today, they are inspiring the efforts of young entrepreneurs, such as Andreani Panayide, Chara Nicolaou and Christina Sokratous. Each has felt the call of their heritage, responding to it with creativity and determination. Yet each has also understood that tradition is not static. It evolves, flowing through time like a living thread, its patterns shifting with each generation. In the hands of these visionaries, the customs of Cyprus’ past are being reimagined for the future.
We can create a new narrative – a story that honours our history, embodies resilience and celebrates creativity.
LIVING LEGACY
Heirlooms are our treasures; inherited stories, rich with memory. But for some, like Christina, these gifts of the past have been lost forever. “When my own family fled the invasion in 1974, they left behind their entire world,” she says. “And that included items handed down over the years: my greatgrandmother’s jewellery, my great-aunt’s trousseau. Like countless others, I lost my legacy, lost my roots.”
In Tradition Now, Christina aims to remedy this cultural loss. Collaborating with artisans devoted to their crafts, she designs modern pieces rooted in tradition, creating treasures for those seeking a connection to their past. “Each piece bridges past and future, evoking memories and carrying forward a legacy,” says Christina. “They remind us to honour our history, embody resilience, and celebrate creativity. Through these contemporary heirlooms, we inspire a love for our past in the generations to come.”
Crafted with age-old techniques, each item offers a glimpse into the island’s history. Clothing in raw linen shades of cream and terracotta reflects enduring patterns. Bags and pouches are adorned with silk cocoon embroidery – an art Christina is personally reviving.
Her earthenware is inspired by ancient rituals: incense pots for burning olive leaves, jugs for carrying water. Jewellery mirrors Cyprus’ heritage motifs: the evil eye, and the man of Fiti found in fabrics and carvings. Baskets woven from reed, stools made from fennel, and chairs from strawberry wood carry ancestral legacy into the present day. Each piece revives time-honoured customs, infusing heritage with new life and meaning.
“Tradition Now is more than just a brand,” Christina explains. “It’s a journey that spans both past and future; a tribute to the richness of Cypriot culture. Here, we rekindle ancient practices, preserving their beauty for today and tomorrow. And we honour the generations who wove tradition into every part of life.”
Those who live here know there’s a richer reality, one whose identity is rooted in the rhythms of the land.
INHERITED IDENTITY
“To the world, Cyprus is often just an image,” says Chara. “It’s a summer postcard, a photo on social media, a headline in the news. But those of us who live here know there’s a richer reality, one whose identity has long been rooted in the rhythms of the land.”
Like Andreani, Chara is a champion of tradition: a storyteller who weaves together the scents, tastes, and family moments that define Cyprus. Her YouTube channel and Instagram account, both called Joy of Origins, set out to capture the soul of the island. “For me, the traditions of our past are the heart of our present,” she reveals. “So, as I gather wild herbs and honey to blend tinctures, grind flour, mix spices, forage for berries, wash clothes in the river, I take the viewer along with me as we breathe the quiet rhythms of history.”
For Chara, traditions are not just echoes of history, but reflections of identity, portrayed on screen. Her videos celebrate the ways of our ancestors, inviting us to rediscover the joy in each season: to tune in to the land and its seasons, just as our forebears did. It follows that Joy of Origins is more than a tribute to tradition. Across the world, Chara’s channel whispers of long-held wisdoms, dissolving the bounds of time and distance. Through technology, through social media, it reignites our joy in a simpler life: in quiet practices shaped by the centuries, and lives well-lived. Then and now.
Cyprus is a place apart; its history unique. And its traditions and customs have made its people what they are today.
HANDWOVEN HERITAGE
Once upon a time, alatsia was the traditional fabric of Cyprus. Woven in every village, it appeared in the island’s saya, its national costume; in wedding dresses and daily wear; in shawls and bedcovers and tablecloths.
“If Cyprus were a material, this would be it,” says Andreani. “Although the patterns varied from place to place, it was still instantly recognisable by its striped theme, its durability and its composition. Each village always had at least one weaver who made alatsia; some had more.” But, by the mid-1960s, she reveals, “the fabric had fallen out of production. It couldn’t compete with the influx of cheap materials of ready-made clothes. And slowly, gradually, the weavers left their looms.”
Passionate about her heritage, 25-year-old Andreani is a teacher and textile curator who is reviving the production of alatsia on the island; transforming the stuff of the past into items that are vibrant and relevant today. She calls her brand ‘Folkmona’. “I’ve always been fascinated by my heritage,” she explains. “Cyprus is a place apart; its history unique. And its traditions and customs have made its people what they are today. So, when I discovered that alatsia was no longer being made anywhere on the island, I set out to right that wrong.”
Travelling from village to village across the island, Andreani found the weavers who once practised this craft, persuaded them to take to their looms. Then, working closely with local seamstresses, she designed contemporary pieces: products made from the iconic fabric that resonate with a younger generation.
In 2019, Andreani launched a line of accessories made from alatsia. She began with a simple line of bags – totes and clutches crafted by local artisans in this durable, instantly-recognisable fabric. And, within the last year, she’s expanded her collection to include dresses, shorts and shirts that embody her heritage. “Now, once more, alatsia is being made – and worn – in Cyprus,” she says. “No longer is it the stuff of the past. Now, we are weaving the cloth of our ancestors into the fabric of the present.”
