Impoverished aristocrat

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In the village of Prodromos at Troodos mountain there is the famous abandoned hotel of Verengaria!Panorama 01_APR5973  _APR5994

The Verengaria hotel was built at the early 20th century and soon became famous around the middle east!

It was a truly a unique hotel with top of the class facilities and service which along with its architecture and location boosted its fame.

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The hotel had a night club, huge dinning rooms, playgrounds, casino, bars and other extras which added to its success as it was a pioneer for that time.

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Its famous guests like Pharouk, the King of Egypt and Ezer Vaisman president of Israel along with the elite of the business and show world of the time, gave the hotel the nickname “Hotel of Kings”!

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The name Verengaria on the other hand was the name of the queen of Navarre (Berengaria), and wife of Richard the Lionheart, King of England.

They got married in Cyprus on May 12, 1191.

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Closed early of 80’s and the 88 rooms hotels became a legend, nowadays the visitors are coming to identify by themselves this old impoverished and ruined aristocrat with the many legends and ghosts

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Congratulations

For the very first time in Cyprus history, a blind student take part in the National parade with his teacher

CYPRUS-LIMASSOL-NATIONAL PARADE-BLIND STUDENT Andreas Solomou, 17-year-old blind student CYPRUS-LIMASSOL-NATIONAL PARADE-BLIND STUDENT Aggelos Aggelidis, his teacher

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When I read the news that a blind student will take part in the national parade I thought:

bravo to the lad

but when I went there to cover photographically the parade, I was not expecting that I would feel such emotion,

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perhaps because everybody who watched the parade as you could believe that they he had gone only for Andreas.

Permanently applause and the world urges to Andreas touched by his effort.

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Professor (Angelos Angelidis) that since last October helped this venture, begged me not to take pictures and that’s because there were even negative reactions, he told me sad that they said

that he do it for self-promotion

CYPRUS-LIMASSOL-NATIONAL PARADE-BLIND STUDENT CYPRUS-LIMASSOL-NATIONAL PARADE-BLIND STUDENT _MAR1700 _MAR1704

I asked Andreas why?, (why always there)

. he told me that he wanted this experience and why

. he wants to tell the whole world that everything can be done as long as you try,

. he wanted to tell people with disabilities to dare,

and finally how tired he is because almost every day people faced him like being sick

CYPRUS-LIMASSOL-NATIONAL PARADE-BLIND STUDENT _MAR1804_MAR1775 _MAR1766 _MAR1841 For me was a unique experience,

Andreas made me smile

Andreas inspire me

Andreas and this kind of people they are leaders and not followers

We need them

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One evening..

One evening before two weeks, I found myself walking in Pallouriotissa neighborhood,

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I had a strange mood and a great need just to walk and make photos without a concept, just photos to clear my mind which has stuck

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Always I loved this kind of neighborhoods the people are curious and knows the meaning of hospitality,

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I found two teenagers playing there, in an abandoned square.

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I was very suprised when I realized their game

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One of them (Dani Amourri) filming his partner with an handmade tool for his mobile.

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I asked from my new friend to send me what he got from his shootings with his mobile phone

so after when I had time I made this Video

The video I was made for them, for their inspiration,

(sorry if the result is not professionally under the international standards :-)

Maybe this will be a good inspiration for you, because for me it was

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Till I arrived to my home, I continued the “shootings”

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_FEB2264 The night came and unfortunately I didn’t have more time

I had to stop

Next time I’ll stay longer, a new chapter opened for me

A very good chapter

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Carnival Aglantzias

Carnival Aglantzias 2015

According to the Municipality: “5000 carnival, 17 floats, 25,000 spectators and a lot of fun, composed the scene that was played at noon Sunday in Kyrenia Avenue in Aglantzia, for the 5th consecutive year”

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If the criterion of success for an event are laughing and playing, then the success is undeniable

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In recent years the foolproof metrisis scoop for me is the children and especially, my daughter

and has proved to me, without having to have special skills (analysis, measurements, surveys etc.)

that children are the toughest critics, without having any social Behaviour criteria

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So I asked my daughter: “Have fun;;;”

I got no answer was dipped in confetti, soiled hands

and a laugh (Gosh this laughter)

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At night the house was quiet, calm, would you say empty, my little sleeping, motionless (no entreaties and no constraint) and occasionally “snoring”.

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This morning, within the spirit and joy, telling me without pausing her yesterday’s adventures …….

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Yes, my baby had a good time …

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The carnival succeeded :)

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Well done, bravo, congratulations to all those who are tired and not unjustly,

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next year (to us by God well) I will “get dressed”, I gonna let myself and I will playing

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A unique place for treasure hunters

Inside the Nicosia there is a space, like a diamond, I had the most beautiful surprise

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the first time I visited I could not believe my eyes and did not expect that we will see something like that, accustomed to such places in Greece and almost everywhere in Europe

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I refer to the Flea market there you will find that you want

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as long as you have the desire to look for

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The people there are friendly, smiling and open mood

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Small stands with different things

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and every weekend is open for memories and treasure hunters

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Flea market celebrates closing two years of operation,

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the friendly owner made a small party for friends with barbecue and free beer for all

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Burial ceremony of missings in the Village of the Widows

August 15, 2014, Vouno village

Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows

Relatives and friends buried the remains of 34 Turkish Cypriots who were taken and killed,

exactly 40 years ago

Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows  Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows

Today, they were returned for burial ceremony at Vouno village (Tashkent) –

at the new cemetery built for them…

Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows

Vouno village was known as well as the `Village of the Widows’,

Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows  Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows

In cemetary there was such great sadness…Tragic figures of women and children of the missings

Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows  Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows

Dramatic stories, a cemetery full of pain, even the most hard eyes has tears

Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows  Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows

I have no words to describe the moments and maybe not need.

What can I say?

The pain have no borders

Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows  Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows

What can I say about the heavy pain of the grandmother now, which became widow

when she was a young woman ??

Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows  Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows

for the middle-aged daughter buried her father?   or for the son?

Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows  Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows

I am thinking that so many years lack of hope, for the empty hugs, for the lost dreams

Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows  Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows

To talk about the facts?   The event?     None

I refuse to go into the process of the absurd,  this vicious cycle of guilt,  because we are talking for victims

Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows  Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows

……innocent human victims (sometimes children),  lives lost,  tormented souls

and on both sides.

I didn’t see any difference in front of the graves, Tourkish Cypriots or Greek Cypriots,

except the flags, the uniforms and the language… When you close your eyes, you can hear you can feel and “see”

humans in great sadness, humans crying, humans in pain,

Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows  Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows

( This grandmother Sultana Kasif, today buried her husband and her 3 children)

Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows  Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows

All humans in front the death,   are equal

all the mothers when bury their husbands children,   are mothers

Burial ceremony of missings in Village of the Widows     Cyprus must regain its lost calmness (if ever had).

We spent many years full of pain, fear, bereavement

 

  • I am really thankful to mrs Sevgul Uludag, informed me about the burial funeral,professionally and emotionally she tried to protect me.
  • Ibrahim, Who came with me and helped in translation.                                         Thank you again.
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God rest their souls, they know …..

CYPRUS, Nicosia 15 of July 2014,

In the cemetery of Ayios Constantinos and Elenis but in separate sections are buried citizens,

soldiers and police officers were killed during the 1974 coup aimed at union (Enosis) with Greece, the morning of 15th of July 1974  were battles, against Cypriot Greek Orthodox Archbishop and president Makarios at the Presidential Palace.

God rest their souls,  they know .....    Coup anniversary

Today Greek Cypriot officials “Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, Cypriot Greek Orthodox Archbishop Chrysostomos II,

Coup anniversary

members from political parties and families of soldiers and police officers killed during the 1974 coup, attends at the ceremony

Coup anniversary  Coup anniversary

Another black anniversary, a holiday memory, forgetfulness and political agenda

Coup anniversary  sirens sound in the city, a rehearsal and a backdrop of very bad director

Coup anniversary  Coup anniversary

The focus for an hour, the graves, two words, wreaths, relatives, politicians.

40 years passed much to remember and so little for the pain

Coup anniversary  Coup anniversary

I do not know what happened and probably Ι will not ever know

Coup anniversary  Coup anniversary

Officially????                              History always is written by the victors

Coup anniversary  Coup anniversary

behind the scene so many rumors, more mutterings and murmurings, the people say, say a lot,

I really do not know,

Coup anniversary   Coup anniversary

once the story will be rewritten, there are gaps, I wish to look more like the truth that the dead be vindicated, need for them,

Coup anniversary  Coup anniversary

we do not need it … we prove it daily, do not read the story, not taught, so make the same mistakes

exactly the same, bet as self harm

Coup anniversary  Coup anniversary

Two separate rooms in the same cemetery, Two different ceremonies, two memorial services away from each other,

Coup anniversary

twice the national anthem, for perpetrators and for victims,

Coup anniversary  Coup anniversary

ones …                        and those …..             did…..                      they know,

Coup anniversary   Coup anniversary

God rest their souls..

Coup anniversary  Coup anniversary

they know …..

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Larnacas’ weddings

Cyprus, Larnaca city, Friday, June 20, 2014,

Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus

Couples from Russia and Israel, who arrived by ship in the coastal resort of Larnaca from Haifa

Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus  Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus

took part in the marriage ceremony for 90 couples, for the first time, happened this in city.

Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus  Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus

organised from the Cyprus organization of Tourism

Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus  Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus

and the municipality of Larnaca.

Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus  Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus

I had the luck to be there, watching this people in their “unique” moments

Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus  Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus

You know in weddings the emotions the most of the times are the same

Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus  Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus

there was a party, a huge party, any moment, all the moments

Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus  Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus

I wish a good luck and happy life to each one

Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus

and a congratulation to the organizers

Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus  Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus

Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus  Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus

Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus  Marriage ceremony for 90 couples in Larnaca, Cyprus

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I am absolute, because I speak on behalf of my daughter

My favorite place for relaxation that combines for me the relaxed cafe and for my daughter playground, was,

Cyprus, Prodromos park

and unfortunately I say was, Park Prodromou was,

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because the Nicosia Municipality 4 months ago decided to remove the swings and slides

from this little paradise, this small oasis in the city for many parents, couples, students etc

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The time we went to ride, the children’s games has disappeared, Mr. Nikos who is the soul of this park, helpless tries to explain and he hoped that it will quickly be replaced

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I say soul, Nikos because before installed in the park with modest refreshment stand all of the surrounding space was inside the trash, a perfect place for “illegal couples” and drug addicts

Cyprus, Prodromos park

I do not know who is the mastermind but he must have some grand plan in his mind,

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because you do not destroy a playground, a little paradise for children and adults,

Cyprus, Prodromos park

Cyprus, Prodromos park

if you don’t have something ambitious to do???

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Otherwise if you do it without a plan and schedule,  then you have no mind or you are unable to work for the social good.

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I am absolute, because I speak on behalf of my daughter

Cyprus, Prodromos park

and for mr.Nikos, the man who still believes in dreams and he try for them

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