From Root To Vine

For the last episode of the season, plase enjoy a live recording from the Proud Voices panel discussion at the Cyprus High Commission in London to celebrate Pride month. 

On the panel:
Andreas Pavlou - co-founder of the LGBTQ+ UK Cypriot Diaspora Network
Ali Orhan - public health executive specialising in cancer prevention, HIV and sexual health
Bahriye Kemal - senior lecturer in Contemporary and Postcolonial Literature at Kent University
Sophia Vi - actor, dancer, model, writer and Director of Koupepia Films Ltd.

Thank you to the Cyprus High Commission for having us! Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod!

TW: this episode contains language around sexual assault that some listeners may find triggering. Listener discretion is advised.  

In this episode, I am joined by Tugba Mimi. One year ago, Tugba was a victim of r*pe in Cyprus. She is now using her platform to raise awareness about violence against women on the island. Tugba tells me why what she experienced is a Cypriot issue, how the partition of Cyprus is preventing people from getting the justice they deserve, and how she is now using her voice to help others and reclaim her own power.

Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod!

In this episode, I am joined by freelance artist and tourist guide Serap Kanay. Serap's work focusses on archival storytelling, encompassing gender, oral history, Afro-Cyprot heritage and trauma. Serap has been avidly researching Afro Cypriot heritage since the 1990’s and her work has been included in several theses. Serap tells me about the origins of Afro-Cypriots on the island, how her work is raising awareness about Afro-Cypriot heirtage, and how rising black consciousness and diversity is making Cypriots confront racism, prejudice and colourism.

Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, I am joined by drag performer Tahini Molasses (@tahini.molasses). Tahini burst on to the London drag scene just a couple of years ago and is already making waves with their drag, inspired by Cypriot femme expression. We discuss the beauty of exploring Cypriot culture through a queer and drag lens and what it can teach us about our identity, the importance of queer Cypriot representation and learning to embrace our full selves. Tahini also tells me about their experiences moving to the UK and what being part of the diaspora here in the UK has taught them about their Cypriot identity.

Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, I am joined by archaeologist Anastasia Christophilopilou, curator of Cyprus, Greece and Rome at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. She is currently leading the 4-year research project ‘Being an Islander’: Art and Identity of the large Mediterranean Islands, aiming to critically re-examine the concept of island life through material culture. Anastasia tells me all about the project’s current exhibition on display at the Fitzwilliam Museum, displaying archaeological finds and artworks from the islands of Cyprus, Sardinia and Crete. We also discuss the importance of island life in shaping Cypriot identity, and what ancient study and archaeology can tell us about present day Cyprus.

Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

TW: This episode discusses topics around conflict, violence and abuse which some listeners may find difficult.

In this episode, I am joined by award-winning playwright, theatre-maker, journalist, author, and writing coach Lorna V. Lorna is currently developing her solo theatre practice as part of a PhD investigating migrant heritage and displacement in solo performance. As part of this, Lorna is exploring attitudes to mental health and wellbeing in the diasporic Cypriot and Greek communities. We discuss the importance of embracing community to boost wellbeing, healing trauma through the arts, and embracing identity on your own terms.

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In this episode, I am joined by Cey Sesiguzel. Cey is a British-born Cypriot Co-Founder and Creative Director at Two Fresh, one of London's leading video production companies. Cey’s mission is to leave a legacy of powerful films that create a positive impact on society. One way he is doing this is with The Divided Island, a feature-length documentary that explores the Cyprus Problem like never before. Cey tells me how his fascination with his Cypriot heritage led him to making The Divided Island documentary, the importance of telling the story of the Cyprus Problem inin a balanced way, and what he has learnt from exploring Cyprus’ tumultuous past and present from those who have lived through it. 

Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, I am joined by Dean Atta. Dean is a highly acclaimed British author and poet. Dean tells me about navigating his Cypriot, Jamaican and queer identity, the impact of a grandparent's love, finding heritage through queer Cypriot spaces and how writing about his roots affirms his identity. We also discuss Dean’s most recent collection "There Is (Still) Love Here", which is a compelling and powerful exploration of relationships, love and loss; encompassing LGBTQ+ and Black history, Greek Cypriot heritage, pride, identity and belonging.

Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

For the first episode of season 3, I am joined by Christina (@__christina.d), Director of Fashion Heritage Network Cyprus (FHNC). FHNC is a new pioneering platform that strives to celebrate Cypriot fashion heirtage through contemporary sustainable fashion. Christina tells me about the importance of fashion heritage in understanding Cypriot roots, how we can educate young people about fashion sustainability in a creative way, and why small acts of sustainability can bring us closer to our ancestors. Follow FHNC on Instagram @fashionheritage.cy. 

Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, I am joined by Anthony Anaxagorou to celebrate the release of his new poetry collection, Heritage Aesthetics. Engaged with the complexities of Cyprus and the diasporic experience, these poems map both an island's public history alongside a person's private reckoning. Anthony tells me how he needs to write to understand himself, why we shouldn't be looking to poetry for answers and why Cypriots are both fascinated and obsessed with race. We also discuss the complexities of Cypriot identity and how honouring the Cypriot dialect is one of the most powerful ways to preserve Cypriot heritage. Heritage Aesthetics is OUT NOW.

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In this episode, I am joined by Marios Psaras (@mariospsarras), film maker and former Cultural Counsellor at the Cyprus High Commission (@culturalchcuk). Marios tells me why culture is our most important capital, the importance of cultural diplomacy in promoting a country and building relations and his journey of rediscivering and redefining his Cypriot roots whilst being away from the island. Having just finished an incredible 4 years as Cultural Counsellor, Marios also reflects on what this role has taught him, and his hope for the future of Cypriot art and culture.

Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

[TW: mention of abuse/sexual harrassment]

Thank you so much to the Cypriot Wine Festival and Business Expo for having us! 

For this episode, I'm joined by Phoebe Coles, Founder of Bubble Out CY (@bubbleoutcyp) and Vicinus CY (@vicinus_cy). We discuss being confident in our Cypriot identity as part of the diaspora, finding hope via grassroots activism and why it's our duty as British Cypriots to speak up for everyone on the island. Phoebe also tells me how her activism is connecting her to her roots, what inclusive activism looks like and why showing up for the most marginalised people is an authentic way to show true love for your country.

Follow us on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod. Subscribe to our NEW YouTube Channel 'From Root To Vine Podcast'. 

Thank you so much to the Cypriot Wine Festival and Business Expo for having us!

It was an honour to be joined by Niyazi, chair of the Turkish Cypriot Community Association (TCCA). Niayzi and I discuss the importance of cultural preservation against a backdrop of assimilation, why young Cypriots need to work with the older generations to maintain their Cypriot power and his belief that Cypriots are ready for a free, united island. Niyazi also shares his experiences growing up in Cyprus during the island's conflict and ultimate partition, and why we should never lose hope for a peaceful future.

The TCCA was created in 1976 and is the largest Turkish-speaking charity in the UK. To accommodate the growing number of Turkish Cypriot migrants to the UK, the TCCA was established to provide culturally, linguistically, and religiously sensitive services to Turkish Cypriot community. It offers a number of projects to provide opportunities and a better quality of life for the community. Find out more about the TCCA here .

Follow us on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod. Subscribe to our NEW YouTube Channel! 

Thank you so much to the Cypriot Wine Festival and Business Expo for having us!

1,500 Greek Cypriots and 500 Turkish Cypriots are still missing following the inter-communal violence and illegal invasion of Cyprus in 1974, but there is strong reason to believe that the number is in fact much higher. Christina tells me why it’s vital for young Cypriots in the diaspora to engage with the missing persons issue, how the missing persons of Cyprus is a cross-communal issue that affects all Cypriots, why bringing closure to families impacted by missing persons is an important step in healing from the trauma of the past, and why we all deserve to know the truth about our history.

As well as being the founder of SOMA Studios London, where she is producing the documentary on the Missing Persons issue, Christina is also the Vice President of NEPOMAK UK.

Learn more about the missing persons of Cyprus:

Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus - https://www.cmp-cyprus.org/

Organisation of Relatives of Missing Cypriots (ORMC UK) - http://www.ormc-uk.org/

Pancyprian Organisation of the Relatives of Undeclared Prisoners and Missing Persons - http://www.missing-cy.org.cy/en/Home

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Thank you so much to the Cypriot Wine Festival and Business Expo for having us!

Tatiana tells me of her experience growing up in the UK and Cyprus as a ‘hybrid’ Armenian/Greek Cypriot and feelings of being othered as a minority within a minority, the important role of the Armenian Institute in bringing all parts of the Armenian community together to celebrate Armenian lived experience, and why we need to change misconceptions that Armenian history begins and ends with the Genocide. We also discuss the importance of grassroots organising, particularly via education and the arts, in bringing all of the communities of Cyprus together.

As well as being a Trustee of the Armenian Institute, Tatiana is a business development manager at The Economist Group, responsible for the commercial development of the World Ocean Initiative. Tatiana currently sits on the Committee for Alkionides UK, a charity that supports low-income families from Cyprus undergoing medical treatment in UK hospitals.

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 Thank you so much to the Cypriot Wine Festival and Business Expo for having us! For this episode I’m joined by Chriso, one of the many brains behind the scenes bringing the festival to life. Chriso tells me about the festival’s origins and roots, why it’s important that current and future generations ensure it continues to thrive, and how it has become a staple of the community for the past 40 years. As the biggest Cypriot event outside of Cyprus, there’s no better place celebrating Cypriot culture and heritage. Its come a long way since it’s days in the community centre car park, but we need to do more to ensure its status is preserved for generations to come.

It’s not too early to get involved with the Cypriot Wine Festival for 2023, they’re always on the hunt for enthusiastic volunteers. Or if you have a cultural initiative that you think will add value to the event, get in touch. Find more info via their website (cwfexpo.co.uk)!

Chriso was previously a member of NEPOMAK UK, and now sits on the Secretariat for the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK.

Follow us on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod. Subscribe to our NEW YoutTube channel 'From Root To Vine Podcast'!

Thank you so much to the Cypriot Wine Festival and Business Expo for having us!

For this episode, I'm joined by Adrian Patsalos, President of NEPOMAK UK (@nepomakuk) Cypriot youth organisation. NEPOMAK's aim is to bring together young Cypriots from across the UK to promote and celebrate Cypriot culture, heritage and encourage networking amongst its members. 2022 marks NEPOMAK's 20th anniversary - we discuss its legacy and importance in connecting young Cypriots to the past whilst celebrating the future, how young Cypriots can be involved in the peace process, and why we should always champion our grandparents!

NEPOMAK hosts a variety of events throughout the year across the UK, follow them to stay up to date - https://nepomak.org/uk/. 

Follow us on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel 'From Root To Vine Podcast'!

Thank you so much to the Cypriot Wine Festival and Business Expo for having us!

For this episode, I'm joined by Rebecca Lazarou aka Laz The Plant Scientist. We discuss how the land can connect us to our roots, the importance of holistic healing and why Cypriot (and non-western) culture is rooted in herbal wellbeing. Rebecca is currently curating a project at Kew Gardens exploring ancient Cypriot medicines - if you have any knowledge to share get in touch with her at cypriotmedicines@gmail.com.

Rebecca is a medical plant scientist at Kew Gardens, herbal expert, holistic therapist and educator. She is also the founder of Laz The Plant Scientist, an educational platform for holistic wellness.

Follow us on instagram/twitter @roottovinepod. Subscribe to our YouTube channel 'From Root To Vine Podcast'!

Happy Pride Month! To honour this rainbow month, we're revisiting an episode from season 1 with the LGBTQ+ Cypriot Diaspora Group. Established in 2018, this multi-communal group was created to provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ Cypriots and allies in the UK to come together and celebrate Cypriot and queer identity. Through events, socials and networking, the group is proving that you can still connect with your heritage without having to diminish your queerness.

Want to get involved? The group is now open for submissons and collabs - find more info on Instagram @lgbtq_cypriot_diaspora. I'll also be spotlighting other pride events to get involved in both in the UK and Cyprus!

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