Centres, groups and units Cyprus Centre Research and knowledge exchange

Originating at what was then the Northern and North Western Polytechnics (now London Metropolitan University), Cypriot students first attended courses from the late forties. Numbers rapidly increased, and by the late sixties, the Cypriot community centred in North London found its numbers swelled further with second-generation Cypriots.  

Interaction between the Cyprus Centre and the Cypriot community started in 1987 when a "Greek Cypriot Community Week" was organised. Researchers went out into the community to speak to members and photographically document the community at work, prayer and play. The success of this event led subsequently to the organisation of an increasing number of events in London, Cyprus and Greece, and so the Cyprus Centre was born.  

The close contact between the Centre and the community over the years has been of great value to both. The official establishment of the Cyprus Centre in 1995 was a natural development of the synergy which had evolved with the community.  

The Centre has organised many conferences, each with an aim of addressing current concerns or areas of interest to Cyprus and specifically the London Cypriot community. In later years, we have extended our remit to those in the wider UK Cypriot community. We have covered themes of identity, archaeology, culture, heritage, maritime traditions, tourism and the financial crisis to mention but a few. We continued to function through the pandemic, addressing issues Covid brought to the community. Through the use of online platforms, we were able to organise several lunchtime seminars accessible to the wider community.  

Seminars have included themes on the interaction and reconciliation of the two communities, the promotion of the cultural heritage of Cyprus, gender issues, environmental issues and the promotion of current Cypriot political affairs. As well as the more recent aforementioned issues associated with the pandemic. 

The Centre has produced published transcripts in the past and now aims to disseminate conference proceedings online. Many of our conferences also have associated exhibitions referring to the general theme of the conference.  

Cyprus Centre exhibitions have attracted a wide and varying audience and have been presented in London, Cyprus and Greece. These exhibitions and numerous art presentations are by artists who either are Cypriot or whose themes and inspirations are Cyprus led.  

For several years the Cyprus Centre has been particularly active and effective in promoting Cyprus’s commercial, touristic and (indirectly) political interest at prominent British exhibitions.   

Public lectures, devised to attract a wide audience, are open to the public, thus enabling an exchange of ideas between the Cypriot community in the UK, academia and those interested in Cyprus. The lectures aim to address issues of current or ongoing interest to Cyprus and have been delivered by prominent Cypriot academics and very high-ranking politicians and diplomats. Indeed, successive High Commissioners to London have spoken at our events.  

Professorial lectures were also organised by the Cyprus Centre in Cyprus and Greece, whereby respected academics were invited to speak at Cypriot and Greek establishments. 

The Centre has always provided an outlet for research development and ideas and has been the means of assisting academics in this area and provides an excellent resource. We have offered academic assistance and advice to academic institutes at all levels including PG and PhD.