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Report: Workshop in Nicosia 09/2024
Cyprus - a Mediterranean island that was already associated by name with the raw material copper (ancient Greek: Kýpros) and the goddess Aphrodite in ancient times - is the location of our Ta'ziz workshop in September 2024. The meeting was originally planned for Beirut, but due to security regulations, travelling to Lebanon was not possible at that time. As an alternative, a wonderful cooperation with our Cypriot partners emerged - a valuable enrichment for our network in the Eastern Mediterranean!
Part 1 - Excursion
Day 1 - Arrival
Old City
After arriving at the airport in Larnaca and travelling on to Nicosia (Lefkosia), the border crossing is the first adventure when visiting the old town. The capital is divided administratively and culturally into the Greek (southern) and Turkish (northern) parts. To get from one side to the other, identity documents are checked and registered on both sides. If you stroll past Greek ice cream parlours with guitar music in the southern part, a few metres further north you are surrounded by Turkish beer bars and snack shops - a unique experience!
Day 2 - Excursion
Excursion to Famagusta
On the second day, we go on an excursion to Famagusta, where we meet Prof. Dr Latife Summerer from the Arkin University of Creative Arts and Design (ARUCAD), Department of Archaeology and Art History. She is our tour guide for the site, where we can marvel at ancient ruins ranging from the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque (formerly St Nicholas Cathedral) to military barracks.
Salamis
The impressive continuation of our excursion is a visit to Salamis - an important ancient city that became famous as a cultural centre, particularly for its magnificent temples, gymnasia and thermal baths. We are amazed at the original meaning of a gymnasium (ancient Greek gymnós = naked) - the place where men often trained naked in ancient Greece. In ancient Greece, men often trained naked. Well, this is no longer the case in today's world :)
The crowning glory of our sweat-inducing tour is a refreshing dip in the sea - a marvellous way to cool off!
Day 3 - Village and City
Village life
We spend the night in a small Turkish village surrounded by rolling hills and olive trees. True to the motto ‘The early bird catches the worm’, we start our day at Boston Beach with a quick dip in the sea at sunrise. Afterwards, we are invited to the delightful farm of an elderly couple and can enjoy a breakfast - with dragon fruit! - from their own farm. Much to the interest of a film crew who happened to be shooting a documentary that day.
Historic Tour
To stretch our legs a little afterwards, we enter the interior of the Afxentios church. We couldn't have imagined a more authentic and local insight into village life in Komi Kebir / Büyükkonuk!
University of ARUCAD
But that's not all - we continue north to Girne (Kyrenia)! Latife leads us across the grounds of ARUCAD - a beautifully designed campus with a pool and cafés.
Castle of Girne
After a coffee break, we continue our walk through the harbour town and find ourselves on the walls of the fortress after walking through numerous old alleyways. The gigantic view over the bay of Girne is well worth the effort! Exhausted and full of impressions, we make our way back home to Nicosia.
Part 2 - Conference
Day 1 & 2 - Archeaological Research Unit
Archaeological Research Unit
We are warmly welcomed at the Archaeological Research Unit of the University of Cyprus by Prof. Dr. emer. Demetrios Michaelides and Prof. Dr. Ourania Kouka. Located in the middle of a green neighborhood and designed in elegant architecture, it offers a beautiful conference venue!
Lectures
Several speakers from Cyprus presented research on various historical topics. Prof. emer. Demetrios Michaelides delivered a keynote lecture on ancient Cypriot medicine, while other scholars discussed archaeology, including metal prices in the Late Bronze Age, Egyptian art in Cyprus, and prehistoric settlement planning. Additional sessions covered pharmacy, flora and fauna, and the Islamic period, with talks on archaeobotany, human-animal interactions, Byzantine medicine, and rural markets in Byzantine Cyprus.
Snacks & Talks
During the breaks, the inviting outdoor area offered a wonderful opportunity to immerse ourselves in a stimulating exchange over culinary delicacies.
Many thanks!
The conference ended with an evening invitation from the institute. Kudos for this great organization in this charming place! Our newly acquired cypriot partner did an excellent job in hosting this multinational conference!
Day 2 - Excursion
Kolossi & Kourion
Our excursion to the south-west of the island is the crowning glory of our conference. We have the honor of being guided by Prof. emer. Demetrios Michaelids himself and gain an insight into his many years of research. On the route we stop at Kolossi, a fortified castle from the 15th century with a panoramic view from the roof. In Episkopi we visit the archaeological site of Kourion, situated on a coastal plateau with strong winds and burning sun. We hike from ruin to ruin and marvel at numerous well-preserved mosaics along the way, depicting scenes of warriors or domestic life.
Museum & Nea Paphos
A short stop at the museum of Agios Theodoros, which Prof. Michaelides helped to build, is of course a must. We couldn't have imagined a better lunch break: a fish restaurant right next to the beach, wonderful temperatures and refreshing water. The waves provide a great opportunity for some of us to jump into the water between ordering and being served. Last but not least, we wander around the extensive grounds of Nea Paphos, where we are shown more unique mosaics and historical buildings. A wonderful finale!
