“Salamis: A Journey Through Memory” at Cyprus House, London

The Cyprus High Commission in London hosted an evening of emotion and remembrance dedicated to Salamis and Famagusta, an event that brought together members of the Cypriot diaspora, friends of Cyprus, and many Famagustians who, as Dr. Yiannis Toumazis fondly said, “carry the town of Famagusta within them.”

The evening began with a moving short film — a poetic visual journey through Salamis, blending the breathtaking aerial footage by Giorgos Kladis with the evocative photography of Petros Fiakkas. The images and music transported the audience to a city that, though uninhabited for over fifty years, still breathes through its ruins, mosaics, and memories.

In his address, Dr. Yiannis Toumazis, Director of the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, former Deputy Minister of Culture, and native of Famagusta, presented the trilogy of books by Dr. Anna Marangou, which together form a testament to the enduring spirit of the ancient city. His words gave new life to Salamis — awakening memories for those who once lived there and inspiring the younger generation to discover, learn, and keep the memory of the city alive.

Dr. Anna Marangou, whose lifelong dedication to preserving and narrating the story of Salamis has become a cultural bridge for all Cypriots, thanked the High Commission for hosting the event and for offering a home in London to such moments of shared remembrance.

The event was also attended by His Excellency the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus, who was visibly moved as he recalled his own childhood memories at the St. George Hotel in Famagusta — a personal reflection that resonated deeply with everyone present.

Through words, images, and emotion, the evening became more than a presentation — it was a homecoming. A gathering of memory and belonging, where art and storytelling turned nostalgia into connection and loss into shared hope.

The event was organised by the Cultural Section of the Cyprus High Commission in London, with the support of the Department of Contemporary Culture of the Deputy Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus.

Photos are by Stavri Kleanthous and by Giorgos Othonos.