A Cyprus Weekend in Oxford

Discovering Ancient Cyprus: A Month of Archaeology, Mythology and Cultural Heritage

12–13 December 2026 | Oxford

The Cultural Section of the Cyprus High Commission in London is delighted to present A Cyprus Weekend in Oxford, a two-day celebration of Cypriot archaeology, mythology and cultural heritage, bringing together education, scholarship, cinema and one of the United Kingdom's most important museum exhibitions.

Presented in collaboration with the Ashmolean Museum, NEPOMAK UK and the Cypriot Educational Mission in the UK, the weekend invites children, families, students, museum visitors and anyone with an interest in the ancient world to discover the remarkable story of Aphrodite and the rich archaeological heritage of Cyprus.

The programme forms part of Discovering Ancient Cyprus: A Month of Archaeology, Mythology and Cultural Heritage, the Cultural Section's autumn programme celebrating the island's history, archaeology and enduring influence on world civilisation.

Saturday 12 December

Theatre Education Workshops

Oxford Greek School

The weekend begins with a series of interactive theatre education workshops presented by the Cultural Section of the Cyprus High Commission for pupils of the Oxford Greek School.

Throughout the day, children will participate in the Five Faces of Aphrodite workshops, discovering the myths of Aphrodite through storytelling, movement, role play and creative participation. Inspired by the Ashmolean exhibition, the workshops encourage young people to explore how mythology helped ancient societies understand nature, identity, friendship, courage, love and the human experience.

By placing children at the centre of the stories, the workshops create an engaging introduction to Cyprus's mythology and archaeology while encouraging curiosity, imagination and cultural discovery.

Sunday 13 December

Aphrodite to Venus – The Making of a Goddess

The Headley Lecture Theatre

The weekend continues inside the Ashmolean Museum, where visitors are invited to a special event hosted in the Museum's Headley Lecture Theatre.

Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed by the Museum's Visitor Experience team and accompanied to the Study Room, where the afternoon's programme will take place.

The event opens with a lecture by Dr Anja Ulbrich, A.G. Leventis Curator of the Cypriot Collection at the Ashmolean Museum and curator of the internationally acclaimed exhibition Aphrodite: The Making of a Goddess.

Aphrodite to Venus – The Making of a Goddess

Today, Aphrodite—known to the Romans as Venus—is recognised worldwide as the goddess of love, beauty and desire. Yet the familiar image of the beautiful goddess has its origins in Cyprus, where she was worshipped for centuries as a deity with universal powers.

Drawing upon archaeology, mythology and the remarkable objects assembled for the Ashmolean exhibition, Dr Ulbrich will explore how Aphrodite's worship developed on Cyprus before following her transformation into one of the most influential figures of Greek and Roman civilisation.

Through four key myths—also explored in the accompanying Myths of Cyprus films—the lecture reveals how Aphrodite's birth, her connection with Cyprus and her many different roles shaped both ancient religion and artistic traditions that continue to inspire the world today.

Special Screening – Myths of Cyprus

Following the lecture, audiences will enjoy a special screening of selected episodes from the acclaimed Myths of Cyprus series, produced by the Press and Information Office of the Republic of Cyprus (PIO).

Directed by Markos Kassinos, with research, writing and presentation by Dr Iosif Hadjikyriacos, the series combines archaeology, mythology, history and cinematic storytelling, bringing Cyprus's ancient myths vividly to life for modern audiences.

The screening programme will feature episodes exploring Aphrodite and the myths discussed during Dr Ulbrich's lecture, including newly produced material created especially in connection with the Ashmolean exhibition and the Cultural Section's programme celebrating Cyprus's archaeological heritage.

Following the lecture and screenings, guests are warmly invited to visit the exhibition Aphrodite: The Making of a Goddess, where they can experience first-hand the remarkable sculptures, antiquities and international loans that inspired the afternoon's programme.

By bringing together archaeology, mythology, film and the exhibition itself, the event offers a unique opportunity to experience Aphrodite's story within one of the world's leading museums.

This special weekend is presented by the Cultural Section of the Cyprus High Commission in London in collaboration with the Ashmolean Museum, NEPOMAK UK and the Cypriot Educational Mission in the UK, as part of Discovering Ancient Cyprus: A Month of Archaeology, Mythology and Cultural Heritage.

We look forward to welcoming you to Oxford for a memorable weekend celebrating the island where the story of Aphrodite began and the remarkable archaeological heritage that continues to inspire the world today. Admission is free, but advance booking is essential.