From Root To Vine

In this episode, I am joined by the lovely Leandros as we discuss how being separated from your heritage forces you to find out who you really are. Leandros tells me how his art is helping him affirm his Cypriot identity, why Haringey Cypriots are the most authentic, reimagining ancient history and mythology with queer Aphrodite, and how his very own Aphrodite is a nod to every iconic Cypriot woman through the ages. 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 Yas Necati (they/them); a writer, artist, activist and performer. Their work focusses on queer and trans rights, feminism, mental health and community building. Their performances combine poetry and drag to ask questions about gender, immigration, belonging and what it means to know home. Yas teaches me about the intersection between queer and Cypriot identity, the parallels between gender and the border, why community will always be at the heart of peace building, and how Turkish drag is helping them reimagine their heritage. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Check out Yas's monthly column about gender for gal-dem, "Against the binary."

POURGOURI MOU!!! This episode I'm joined by the brilliant Alexander Theo. Alex is an actor, comedian, writer and all round Cypriot legend who burst onto the social media scene with his sketches depicting a typical Cypriot family. We put down the wigs (mostly) to chat about Alex's life and journey so far, how is work is connecting all immigrant communities in the UK and why Cypriot women will always be his biggest source of inspiration. Also enjoy a brief interlude of us fangirl-ing over some Cypriot icons, and wait til the end to hear from North London's very own Cypriot goddess, Soulla! 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 my friend and walking music encyclopedia, Cahit Asova. We discuss the characteristics that make traditional Cypriot music and how listening it can transport us back to the homeland, proving just how important music and identity is. Cahit also tells me how Cyprus' history and politics has transformed the music on the island, and despite efforts to erase it, how traditional music lives on through peace-building efforts. Cahit is on a mission to prove that traditional Cypriot music is for everyone and why we can't leave it in the past. 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'm joined by my lovely friend and one of the brightest minds, Georgio Konstandi. Georgio is the Founder and Editor of Politika New (@pol.it.ika.news), an online media resource platforming voices that matter. We sat down over a cup of kafe at Aroma Patisserie in North London to discuss the Cypriot community in the Midlands, why Georgio is reclaiming his identity and rejecting Hellenic discourse and what his work with Politika News is teaching him about his own Cypriot roots. Get involved with the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In loving memory of Stavros Zorlakkis
23/6/1936 - 27/2/2022

For the last episode of season 1, I interviewed my amazing grandad/bapou/dede, Stavros. In honour of his incredible life, here it is again. 

Strap in for a lot of laughs and trips down memory lane for this episode! I'm joined by Cypriot comedy icon Eray (@eraybeyi) who is on a mission to spread love and celebrate his Cypriot roots one sketch at a time. We discuss his grandfather's incredible legacy, why laughter is the best way to bring peace, and how one random night at a bar in Kyrenia, Cyprus made Eray realise his passion and talent for exploring his Cypriot roots through comedy.

Don't forget to like/subscribe and get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod!

In this episode, we're going down under (virtually)! I'm joined by Eleni aka @myfamilysfooddiary to celebrate #FEBulousCypriotFood, a campaign she created to educate the world about the beauty of Cypriot cooking. We discuss Eleni's Australian/Cypriot identity, how food is inherent to understanding Cypriot identity, how she is carrying on her mum's legacy and teaching her children about their Cypriot roots through food. Don't forget to like/subscribe and get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod.

We're on location! This episode was recorded in Lefkosia/Lefkosa, Cyprus, back in September 2021 where I finally got to meet my good friend Selay (aka @thecypriotstory) IRL for the first time! Over some delicious bourekia/koubes we discuss being Cypriot in Canada, bi-communal activism and why Selay finally feels like she's home. This conversation feels very poignant given the recent economic and social difficulties Turkish Cypriots are facing in the North and it was really special learning from Selay.

Don't forget to like/subscribe and get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod.

In this episode, we're going back to the classroom to revisit one of our favourite subjects: language. You've heard of Cypriot Greek and Cypriot Turkish, but what about the other languages of Cyprus and the communities they represent? To unpack this, I'm joined by Spyros Armostis, a Lecturer in Linguistics at the University of Cyprus. We chat about Cypriot Arabic, Western Armenian and Kurbetcha, as well as why multiculturalism is both inherent and essential to Cyprus.

If you like this episode, don't forget to like/subscribe, and leave us a rating! Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod. 

In this episode, I'm joined by my god sister, bestie, and all round favourite person, Maria Zorlakkis-Gadelrab. Maria explores the influence of being raised by her traditional Cypriot grandparents, her recipe for the perfect Cypriot girl starter pack, and how marrying into an Egyptian family is helping her understand and celebrate her Cypriot roots. 

If you liked this episode, don't forget to like/subscribe, and leave us a rating! Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod. See you on the next one!

Welcome to Season 2 of From Root To Vine, the first podcast to archive and explore Cypriot roots in the UK! I'm your host, Maria Christodoulou, and I'm back with some amazing guests to explore the things that define our Cypriot roots, as well as the brilliant work being done by and for Cypriots here in the UK and beyond. 

Episodes dropping bi-weekly on Sundays. Don't forget to like/subscribe so you never miss an episode, and why not leave us a rating if you enjoy the show! Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod. 

For the final episode of season 1, I am joined by my grandad/bapou, Stavros Zorlakkis. Stavros tells us his story of growing up in a traditional Cypriot village and his eventual migration to the UK in 1960. Like many 1st generation migrants, it’s a story of love, loss and admirable strength. We discuss the importance of bi-communal peace, why leaving the motherland is still a struggle 60 years later, and the importance of young people celebrating their Cypriot roots. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram and Twitter @roottovinepod. Thanks for listening!

In this episode I am joined by Bahriye Kemal and Daniele Nunziata from Exploring Cypriot Identity (@exploring_cypriot_identity_) to explore how literature can be used an accessible means to understand identity. We discuss the legacy of colonialism and its role in Cyprus’s partition, why we need to look through a postcolonial lens to undo the violence of the past, and the power of the literatures of Cyprus in bringing solidarity and peace to all Cypriot communities. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram and Twitter @roottovinepod. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, I am joined by Sandie Xenia to explore growing up as a black-British Cypriot. Sandie tells me how her parents and grandparents have been influential in celebrating both her Cypriot and Jamaican roots, the difficulties of feeling like she must constantly project her Cypriot-ness for people to respect it, and why we need to talk more about prejudices in the Orthodox Church.

Get involved in the conversation on Instagram and Twitter @roottovinepod. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, I am joined by actor and comedian Aziz Kemal (@theazizshow) to discuss Cypriot representation in the mainstream media. We explore the power of comedy as a means to represent and understand Cypriot identity, and why ‘ethnic comedy’ is starting to get the recognition it deserves. Aziz unpacks why this is particularly precious for the Cypriot community in the face of division, and why he’s learned that you should never call Cypriot girls unambitious! 

Get involved in the conversation on Instagram and Twitter @roottovinepod. Thanks for listening!

In this episode I am joined by Demel Mehmet (@demel.sl / @okku.pied) to discuss perhaps the most taboo topic in the community: sex and relationships! Dems and I get candid about navigating love when you have a strict upbringing, the pressures and contradictions that society places on women, and why women’s liberation isn’t just determined by the western world. I hope this chat encourages everyone to continue breaking the taboo. And girls, maybe start listening to your yiayia’s/nene’s advice!

Get involved in the conversation on Instagram and Twitter @roottovinepod. Thanks for listening! 

In this episode, I am joined by Çise Çavuşoğlu to discuss the Turkish Cypriot language. We explore the impact language teaching has on how young people come to understand their Cypriot identity in the UK, why we need to increase the exposure to Cypriot language, and the beauty in valuing the diversity of language forms for the British Cypriot diaspora. Çise has undergone extensive research into the Turkish Cypriot community in London, by interacting with both students and staff in Turkish Schools.

Get involved in the conversation on Instagram and Twitter @roottovinepod. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, I am joined by Dr Anna Charalambidou and Dr Petros Karatsareas to discuss the Cypriot dialects. We explore if language is an important marker of identity, how it transforms across diaspora generations, and why the difference between a language and a dialect is political and not linguistic. Anna and Petros are also making the first permanent archive of ‘Grenglish’ words with The Grenglish Project (@GrenglishProj on Twitter).

Get involved in the conversation on Instagram and Twitter @roottovinepod. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, I am joined by Gülsün (@gulsmedikitchen) to discuss everyone’s favourite topic – FOOD! Gülsün tells us how she’s exploring her roots (and the ones in the ground) back in Cyprus, the beauty of living off the land, and why we should all learn our mum’s recipes. Now a foodie sensation on Instagram, Gülsün is putting Cypriot cooking on the map and proving that food is the simplest and most accessible way to celebrate your roots.

Get involved in the conversation on Instagram and Twitter @roottovinepod. Thanks for listening!