Editing Cyprus (section)

==Culture==
[[File:Pagkiprio High school entrance Nicosia Republic of Cyprus.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|The entrance of the historic [[Pancyprian Gymnasium]]]]

Greek and Turkish Cypriots share many cultural traits, while also possessing some differences. Several traditional food (such as [[souvla]] and [[halloumi]]) and beverages are similar,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hatay |first=Mete |date=2006 |title=The Levantine Legacy of Cypriot Culinary Culture |url=https://cyprusreview.org/index.php/cr/article/view/296/258 |journal=Cyprus Review |volume=18 |issue=2 |pages=129–142 |access-date=16 April 2023 |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416101814/https://cyprusreview.org/index.php/cr/article/view/296/258 |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as expressions and ways of life. Hospitality and buying or offering food and drinks for guests or others are common among both. In both communities, music, dance and art are integral parts of social life and many artistic, verbal and nonverbal expressions, traditional dances such as [[tsifteteli]], similarities in dance costumes and importance placed on social activities are shared between the communities.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Fong |first1=Mary |last2=Chuang |first2=Rueyling |title=Communicating Ethnic and Cultural Identity |date=2004 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-0-7425-1739-4 |page=286 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ue4CCUhRYa4C&pg=PA286 |access-date=23 September 2020 |archive-date=17 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517130338/https://books.google.com/books?id=Ue4CCUhRYa4C&pg=PA286#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the two communities have distinct religions and religious cultures, with the Greek Cypriots traditionally being [[Church of Cyprus|Greek Orthodox]] and Turkish Cypriots traditionally being [[Sunni Muslims]], which has partly hindered cultural exchange.<ref>{{cite book |title=Cyprus in Europe: Seizing the Momentum of Nice |author=Patrick R. Hugg |publisher=Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law |date=November 2001 |ssrn=2257945}}</ref> Greek Cypriots have influences from Greece and Christianity, while Turkish Cypriots have influences from Turkey and [[Islam]].

The [[Limassol Carnival Festival]] is an annual [[carnival]] which is held at [[Limassol]], in Cyprus. The event which is very popular in Cyprus was introduced in the 20th century.{{Sfn|Merin|Burdick1979|p=82}}

===Arts===
{{See also|List of Cypriot artists}}
[[File:Classic aristocratic houses in Nicosia Republic of Cyprus.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Typical Cypriot architecture in old part of [[Nicosia]], Cyprus]]
The art history of Cyprus can be said to stretch back up to 10,000 years, following the discovery of a series of [[Chalcolithic]] period carved figures in the villages of [[Khoirokoitia]] and [[Lempa (Lemba)|Lempa]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arcl.ed.ac.uk/arch/lemba/homepage.html |title=Lemba Archaeological Research Centre |publisher=Arcl.ed.ac.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117041553/http://www.arcl.ed.ac.uk/arch/lemba/homepage.html |archive-date=17 January 2013 |access-date=25 October 2009}}</ref> The island is the home to numerous examples of high quality religious [[icon painting]] from the [[Cyprus in the Middle Ages|Middle Ages]] as well as [[List of painted churches in Cyprus|many painted churches]]. Cypriot architecture was heavily influenced by [[French Gothic architecture|French Gothic]] and Italian [[renaissance architecture|renaissance]] introduced in the island during the era of Latin domination (1191–1571).

A well known traditional art that dates at least from the 14th&nbsp;century is the [[Lefkara lace]], which originates from the village of [[Pano Lefkara|Lefkara]]. Lefkara lace is recognised as an [[intangible cultural heritage]] (ICH) by UNESCO, and it is characterised by distinct design patterns, and its intricate, time-consuming production process. Another local form of art that originated from Lefkara is the production of Cypriot Filigree (locally known as ''Trifourenio''), a type of jewellery that is made with twisted threads of silver.

In modern times Cypriot art history begins with the painter Vassilis Vryonides (1883–1958) who studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice.<ref>Chrysanthos Christou, ''A short History of Modern and Contemporary Cypriot Art'', Nicosia 1983.</ref> Arguably the two founding fathers of modern Cypriot art were Adamantios Diamantis (1900–1994) who studied at London's [[Royal College of Art]] and 
Christophoros Savva (1924–1968) who also studied in London, at [[Saint Martin's School of Art]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hatjecantz.de/christoforos-savva-7519-1.html#:~:text=Christoforos%20Savva%20(1924%E2%80%931968),newly%20established%20Republic%20of%20Cyprus. |title=Christoforos Savva |publisher=www.hatjecantz.de |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=19 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919011443/https://www.hatjecantz.de/christoforos-savva-7519-1.html#:~:text=Christoforos%20Savva%20(1924%E2%80%931968),newly%20established%20Republic%20of%20Cyprus. |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1960, Savva founded, together with Welsh artist Glyn Hughes, Apophasis [Decision], the first independent cultural centre of the newly established Republic of Cyprus. In 1968, Savva was among the artists representing Cyprus in its inaugural Pavilion at the 34th Venice Biennale. English Cypriot Artist [http://glynhughesart.com/ Glyn HUGHES] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619052247/http://glynhughesart.com/ |date=19 June 2021 }} 1931–2014.<ref>Ministry of Education and Culture, ''State Gallery of Contemporary Cypriot Art'' (Nicosia: MOEC,1998)</ref> In many ways these two artists set the template for subsequent Cypriot art and both their artistic styles and the patterns of their education remain influential to this day. In particular the majority of Cypriot artists still train in England<ref>Michael Paraskos, "The Art of Modern Cyprus", in ''Sunjet'', Spring 2002, 62f</ref> while others train at art schools in Greece and local art institutions such as the [[Cyprus College of Art]], [[University of Nicosia]] and the [[Frederick Institute of Technology]].

One of the features of Cypriot art is a tendency towards figurative painting although [[conceptual art]] is being rigorously promoted by a number of art "institutions" and most notably the Nicosia Municipal Art Centre. Municipal art galleries exist in all the main towns and there is a large and lively commercial art scene.

Other notable Greek Cypriot artists include [[Panayiotis Kalorkoti]], [[Nicos Nicolaides]], [[Stass Paraskos]], [[Telemachos Kanthos]], and [[Chris Achilleos]]; and Turkish Cypriot artists include [[İsmet Güney]], [[Ruzen Atakan]] and [[Mutlu Çerkez]].

===Music===
{{Main|Music of Cyprus}}
[[File:Laghouto.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|[[Laouto]], dominant instrument of the Cypriot traditional music]]

The traditional [[folk music]] of Cyprus has several common elements with [[Music of Greece|Greek]], [[Music of Turkey|Turkish]], and [[Arabic Music]], all of which have descended from Byzantine music, including Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot dances such as the '''tillirkotissa''', as well as the Middle Eastern-inspired ''[[tsifteteli]]'' and ''arapies''. There is also a form of musical poetry known as ''chattista'' which is often performed at traditional feasts and celebrations. The instruments commonly associated with Cyprus folk music are the violin ("fkiolin"), [[lute]] ("laouto"), Cyprus flute ([[fipple flute|''pithkiavlin'']]), [[oud]] ("outi"), [[kanonaki]] and percussions (including the "[[drum|tamboutsia]]"). Composers associated with traditional Cypriot music include [[Solon Michaelides]], [[Marios Tokas]], Evagoras Karageorgis and Savvas Salides. Among musicians is also the acclaimed pianist [[Cyprien Katsaris]], composer [[Andreas G. Orphanides]], and composer and artistic director of the European Capital of Culture initiative [[Marios Joannou Elia]].

[[Popular music]] in Cyprus is generally influenced by the Greek ''[[Laïka]]'' scene; artists who play in this genre include international [[Music recording sales certification|platinum]] star [[Anna Vissi]],<ref>{{cite book |title=Billboard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eQ0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA8 |date=8 May 1999 |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |page=8 |quote=Sony Music executives congratulate Greek artist Anna Vissi before her recent sold-out performance at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York the first stop in her North-American tour to promote her album Antidoto |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911001516/https://books.google.com/books?id=eQ0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA8 |archive-date=11 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author1=Hellander, Paul |author2=Kate Armstrong |author3=Michael Clark |author4=Christopher Deliso|title=Lonely Planet Greek Islands |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4PDWSOx4lUwC&pg=PA49 |year=2008|publisher=Lonely Planet |isbn=978-1-74104-314-3 |page=49 |quote=The country's big pop and laïka stars include Anna Vissi, Notis Sfakiana- kis, Despina Vandi, Yiannis Ploutarhos, Antonis Remos, Mihalis Hatziyian- nis, heartthrob Sakis Rouvas and Greek-Swedish singer Elena Paparizou, who won Greece |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922103814/https://books.google.com/books?id=4PDWSOx4lUwC&pg=PA49 |archive-date=22 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Billboard|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_MhQEAAAAMBAJ |date=14 July 2001 |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_MhQEAAAAMBAJ/page/n70 71] |quote=The hits of platinum stars Anna Vissi, Despina Vandi and Keti Garbi are played in clubs together with the Anna Vissi international dance hits of Deep- swing, Planetfunk |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=20 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Rhythm: Global Sounds and Ideas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JbA4AQAAIAAJ |year=2000 |publisher=World Marketing Incorporated |volume=9 |issue=6–11 |page=70 |quote=We have a Euro Music category with clips by the Gipsy Kings and Anna Vissi, a huge star for Sony Greece 'We also have&nbsp;... |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910221009/https://books.google.com/books?id=JbA4AQAAIAAJ |archive-date=10 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Evridiki]], and [[Sarbel]]. [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]] and [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] have been supported by the emergence of Cypriot rap and the [[urban music]] scene at [[Ayia Napa]], while in the last years the [[reggae]] scene is growing, especially through the participation of many Cypriot artists at the annual [[Reggae Sunjam]] festival. Is also noted Cypriot rock music and ''[[Éntekhno]]'' rock is often associated with artists such as [[Michalis Hatzigiannis]] and [[Alkinoos Ioannidis]]. [[Heavy metal music|Metal]] also has a small following in Cyprus represented by bands such as Armageddon (rev.16:16), Blynd, [[Winter's Verge]], [[Methysos]] and Quadraphonic.

===Literature===
{{Main|Cypriot literature}}
[[File:Paolo Monti - Servizio fotografico (Napoli, 1969) - BEIC 6353768.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.75|[[Zeno of Citium]], founder of the [[Stoicism|Stoic]] school of philosophy]]

Literary production of the antiquity includes the ''[[Cypria]]'', an [[epic poetry|epic poem]], probably composed in the late 7th&nbsp;century&nbsp;BC and attributed to [[Stasinus]]. The ''Cypria'' is one of the first specimens of Greek and European poetry.<ref>"An indication that at least the main contents of the ''Cypria'' were known around 650 BC is provided by the representation of the [[Judgment of Paris]] on the [[Chigi vase]]" (Burkert 1992:103). On the [[proto-Corinthian]] [[ewer]] of c.&nbsp;640&nbsp;BC known as the [http://www.wisc.edu/arth/ah300/13-myth/33.image.html Chigi "vase"] {{dead link |date=March 2017 |bot=Dr.K. |fix-attempted=yes}}, Paris is identified as ''Alexandros'', as he was apparently called in ''Cypria''. {{dead link |date=August 2016 |bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The Cypriot [[Zeno of Citium]] was the founder of the [[Stoicism|Stoic]] school of philosophy.

Epic poetry, notably the "acritic songs", flourished during the [[Middle Ages]]. Two chronicles, one written by [[Leontios Machairas]] and the other by [[Georgios Boustronios]], cover the entire Middle Ages until the end of Frankish rule (4th&nbsp;century–1489). ''Poèmes d'amour'' written in medieval Greek Cypriot date back from the 16th&nbsp;century. Some of them are actual translations of poems written by [[Petrarch]], [[Bembo]], [[Ariosto]] and G.&nbsp;[[Jacopo Sannazaro|Sannazzaro]].<ref>Th. Siapkaras- Pitsillidés, Le Pétrarchisme en Cypre. Poèmes d'&nbsp;amour en dialecte Chypriote d' après un manuscript du XVIe siècle, Athènes 1975 (2ème&nbsp;édition)</ref> Many Cypriot scholars fled Cyprus at troubled times, such as [[Ioannis Kigalas]] (c.&nbsp;1622–1687) who migrated from Cyprus to Italy in the 17th&nbsp;century, several of his works have survived in books of other scholars.<ref>{{cite book |author=Deutsche Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin. Institut für Griechisch-Römische Altertumskunde, Deutsche Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin. Zentralinstitut für Alte Geschichte und Archäologie |title=Berliner byzantinistische Arbeiten, Volume&nbsp;40 |publisher=Akademie-Verlag |year=1956 |pages=209–210 |quote=John Cigala (born at Nicosia 1622). He studied at the College of Saint Athanasios, Rome (1635–1642), which he graduated as doctor of philosophy and theology and at which he taught Greek successfully for eight years (1642–1650)&nbsp;... What has survived of his work as a number of epigrams published in books of other scholars.}}</ref>

[[File:Ioannis Kigalas (1622-1687) Cyprus.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|[[Ioannis Kigalas]] ({{Circa|1622}}–1687) was a [[Nicosia]] born [[Greek people|Greek]] Cypriot scholar and professor of philosophy who was largely active in the 17th century.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Serena, Sebastiano |author2=Barbarigo, Gregorio |title=S.&nbsp;Gregorio Barbarigo e la vita spirituale e cultuale nel suo Seminario di Padova; lettre e saggi editi dagli amici in memoria |publisher=Editrice Antenore |year=1963 |page=495 |oclc=6706000 |quote=Giovanni Cicala, greco di Cipro, prof. di Filosofia nella Università&nbsp;... Al qual fine permetteva tutta la confidenza con il Cigala e con il Papadopoli, ambedue greci nativi e Lettori pubblici nell'Universita di Padova, coi quail si tratteneva, in frequenti discorsi sopra questa material, le mezze giornate intiere&nbsp;...}}</ref>]]
Hasan Hilmi Efendi, a Turkish Cypriot poet, was rewarded by the Ottoman sultan [[Mahmud II|Mahmud&nbsp;II]] and said to be the "sultan of the poems".<ref>Gazioğlu, Ahmet C. (1990). The Turks in Cyprus: a province of the Ottoman Empire (1571–1878), 293–295, K.&nbsp;Rüstem.</ref>

Modern Greek Cypriot literary figures include the poet and writer [[Costas Montis]], poet [[Kyriakos Charalambides]], poet [[Michalis Pasiardis]], writer [[Nicos Nicolaides]], Stylianos Atteshlis, [[Altheides]], Loukis Akritas<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.philatelism.com/details.php?issueid=256 |title=Cyprus Stamp Issue: Loukis Akritas |access-date=29 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511195913/http://www.philatelism.com/details.php?issueid=256 |archive-date=11 May 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and Demetris Th. Gotsis. [[Dimitris Lipertis]], [[Vasilis Michaelides]] and Pavlos Liasides are folk poets who wrote poems mainly in the [[Cypriot Greek|Cypriot-Greek]] dialect.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.philatelism.com/details.php?issueid=91 |title=Cyprus Stamp Issue: Cyprus Poets |access-date=29 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511195859/http://www.philatelism.com/details.php?issueid=91 |archive-date=11 May 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.philatelism.com/details.php?issueid=252 |title=Cyprus Stamp Issue: Centenary Birthday Anniversary of Poet Pavlos Liasides |access-date=29 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511195938/http://www.philatelism.com/details.php?issueid=252 |archive-date=11 May 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Among leading Turkish Cypriot writers are [[Osman Türkay]], twice nominated for the [[Nobel Prize in Literature]],<ref>[http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/printnews.aspx?DocID=-31947 Kozmik şiirin yazarı] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017204605/http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/printnews.aspx?DocID=-31947 |date=17 October 2015}} (Hürriyet). Retrieved 31 December 2014.</ref> [[Özker Yaşın]], [[Neriman Cahit]], [[Urkiye Mine Balman]], [[Mehmet Yaşın]] and [[Neşe Yaşın]].

There is an increasingly strong presence of both temporary and permanent emigre Cypriot writers in world literature, as well as writings by second and third-generation Cypriot writers born or raised abroad, often writing in English. This includes writers such as [[Michael Paraskos]] and [[Stephanos Stephanides]].<ref>Alexander Davidian, 'A literary resilience' in ''The Cyprus Weekly'' (Cyprus newspaper), 10 January 2016</ref>

Examples of Cyprus in foreign literature include the works of Shakespeare, with most of the play ''[[Othello]]'' by [[William Shakespeare]] set on the island of Cyprus. British writer [[Lawrence Durrell]] lived in Cyprus from 1952 until 1956, during his time working for the British colonial government on the island, and wrote the book ''[[Bitter Lemons]]'' about his time in Cyprus which won the second [[Duff Cooper Prize]] in 1957.

===Mass media===
{{Main|Media of Cyprus|Television in Cyprus|Radio in Cyprus|Cinema of Cyprus}}
In the 2015 Freedom of the Press report of [[Freedom House]], the Republic of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus were ranked "free". The Republic of Cyprus scored 25/100 in [[press freedom]], 5/30 in Legal Environment, 11/40 in Political Environment, and 9/30 in Economic Environment (the lower scores the better).<ref>[https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2015/cyprus Freedom House] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216211325/https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2015/cyprus |date=16 February 2016}}, 2015 report Cyprus</ref> [[Reporters Without Borders]] rank the Republic of Cyprus 24th out of 180 countries in the 2015 World Press Freedom Index, with a score of 15.62.<ref>[https://index.rsf.org/#!/index-details/CYP RSF] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419161741/http://index.rsf.org/ |date=19 April 2016}}, Cyprus</ref>

The law provides for [[freedom of speech]] and [[Freedom of the press|press]], and the government generally respects these rights in practice. An independent press, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system combine to ensure freedom of speech and of the press. The law prohibits arbitrary interference with privacy, family, home, or correspondence, and the government generally respects these prohibitions in practice.<ref>[https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2012&dlid=204274 "Cyprus"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328020122/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2012&dlid=204274 |date=28 March 2020 }}, ''Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012'', Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, U.S. Department of State, 22 March 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2014.</ref>

Local television companies in Cyprus include the state owned [[Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation]] which runs two television channels. In addition on the Greek side of the island there are the private channels ANT1 Cyprus, Plus TV, Mega Channel, Sigma TV, Nimonia TV (NTV) and New Extra. In Northern Cyprus, the local channels are [[Bayrak|BRT]], the Turkish Cypriot equivalent to the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, and a number of private channels. The majority of local arts and cultural programming is produced by the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation and BRT, with local arts documentaries, review programmes and filmed drama series.

===Cinema===
{{Main|Cinema of Cyprus}}
The most worldwide known Cypriot director, to have worked abroad, is [[Michael Cacoyannis]].

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, George Filis produced and directed ''Gregoris Afxentiou'', ''Etsi Prodothike i Kypros'', and ''The Mega Document''. In 1994, Cypriot film production received a boost with the establishment of the Cinema Advisory Committee. In 2000, the annual amount set aside for filmmaking in the national budget was [[Cypriot pound|CYP£]]500,000 (about €850,000). In addition to government grants, Cypriot co-productions are eligible for funding from the [[Council of Europe]]'s [[Eurimages]] Fund, which finances European film co-productions. To date, four feature films on which a Cypriot was an executive producer have received funding from Eurimages. The first was ''I Sphagi tou Kokora'' (1996), followed by ''Hellados'' (unreleased), ''To Tama'' (1999), and ''O Dromos gia tin Ithaki'' (2000).<ref>"[http://www.filmbirth.com/cyprus.html Film Birth – History of Cinema – Cyprus] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924012748/http://www.filmbirth.com/cyprus.html |date=24 September 2015}}".</ref>

===Cuisine===
{{Main|Cypriot cuisine}}
[[File:Vin et gastronomie chypriotes.jpg|thumb|left|Cypriot ''[[meze]]'']]

During the medieval period, under the French Lusignan monarchs of Cyprus an elaborate form of courtly cuisine developed, fusing French, Byzantine and Middle Eastern forms. The Lusignan kings were known for importing Syrian cooks to Cyprus, and it has been suggested that one of the key routes for the importation of Middle Eastern recipes into France and other Western European countries, such as blancmange, was via the Lusignan Kingdom of Cyprus. These recipes became known in the West as ''vyands de Chypre'', or foods of Cyprus, and the food historian William Woys Weaver has identified over one hundred of them in English, French, Italian and German recipe books of the Middle Ages. One that became particularly popular across Europe in the medieval and early modern periods was a stew made with chicken or fish called ''malmonia'', which in English became mawmeny.<ref>William Woys Weaver, 'Poland in the Middle Ages' in Maria Dembinska (ed.) ''Food and Drink in Medieval Poland: Rediscovering a Cuisine of the Past'' (Philadelphia: University of University of Pennsylvania Press, 1999) pp.&nbsp;41–46</ref>

Another example of a Cypriot food ingredient entering the Western European canon is the cauliflower, still popular and used in a variety of ways on the island today, which was associated with Cyprus from the early Middle Ages. Writing in the 12th and 13th centuries the Arab botanists [[Ibn al-'Awwam]] and [[Ibn al-Baitar]] claimed the vegetable had its origins in Cyprus,<ref>{{cite web |title=Cabbage Flowers for Food|url=http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/vegetabletravelers/broccoli.html |website=Aggie Horticulture |publisher=Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M System |access-date=12 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812232947/http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu//archives/parsons/publications/vegetabletravelers/broccoli.html |archive-date=12 August 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Fenwick |first=G. Roger |author2=Heaney, Robert K. |author3=Mullin, W. John |author4=VanEtten, Cecil H. |title=Glucosinolates and their breakdown products in food and food plants |journal=CRC Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition |date=1982 |volume=18| issue=2 |pages=123–201 |doi=10.1080/10408398209527361 |pmid=6337782}}</ref> and this association with the island was echoed in Western Europe, where cauliflowers were originally known as Cyprus cabbage or ''Cyprus colewart''. There was also a long and extensive trade in cauliflower seeds from Cyprus, until well into the sixteenth century.<ref>Jon Gregerson, ''Good Earth'' (Portland: Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company, 1990) p.41</ref>

[[File:Halloumislice zoom.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|Cypriot [[Halloumi]]]]
[[File:Cafes in a stoa small path in Nicosia Republic of Cyprus.JPG|thumb|upright=0.75|Cypriot style café in an arcade in [[Nicosia]]]]

Although much of the Lusignan food culture was lost after the fall of Cyprus to the Ottomans in 1571, a number of dishes that would have been familiar to the Lusignans survive today, including various forms of tahini and houmous, zalatina, skordalia and pickled wild song birds called ambelopoulia. [[Ambelopoulia]], which is today highly controversial, and illegal, was exported in vast quantities from Cyprus during the Lusignan and Venetian periods, particularly to Italy and France. In 1533 the English traveller to Cyprus, John Locke, claimed to have seen the pickled wild birds packed into large jars, of which 1200 jars were exported from Cyprus annually.<ref>David Bannerman and Mary Bannerman ''Birds of Cyprus'' (London: Oliver and Boyd, 1958) p.&nbsp;384</ref>

Also familiar to the Lusignans would have been [[Halloumi]] cheese, which some food writers today claim originated in Cyprus during the Byzantine period<ref>{{cite book |author1=Goldstein, Darra |author2=Merkle, Kathrin |author3=Parasecoli, Fabio |author4=Mennell, Stephen |author5=Council of Europe |title=Culinary cultures of Europe: identity, diversity and dialogue |publisher=Council of Europe |year=2005 |page=121 |isbn=978-92-871-5744-7 |quote=Most culinary innovations in the Cypriot cuisine occurred during the Byzantine era&nbsp;... Experimentation with dairy products resulted in the now-famous halloumi and feta cheese.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author1=Robinson, R. K. |author2=Tamime, A. Y. |title=Feta and Related Cheeses |publisher=Woodhead Publishing |year=1991 |page=144 |isbn=978-1-85573-278-0 |quote=Halloumi is a semi-hard to hard, unripened cheese that traditionally is made from either sheep's or goat's milk or a mixture. Although the cheese has its origins in Cyprus, it is widely popular throughout the Middle East, and hence many countries have now become involved with its manufacture.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Murdoch Books Pty Limited |title=Essential Mediterranean |publisher=Murdoch Books |year=2005 |page=21 |isbn=978-1-74045-539-8 |quote=HALOUMl Originating in Cyprus, this salty, semi-hard sheep's milk cheese is a popular table cheese}}</ref> although the name of the cheese itself is thought by academics to be of Arabic origin.<ref name="Papademas 117">P. Papademas, "Halloumi Cheese" in A.Y. Tamime (ed.), ''Brined Cheeses'' (Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2006) p.117</ref> There is no surviving written documentary evidence of the cheese being associated with Cyprus before the year 1554, when the Italian historian [[Florio Bustron]] wrote of a sheep-milk cheese from Cyprus he called ''calumi''.<ref name="Papademas 117"/> Halloumi (Hellim) is commonly served sliced, grilled, fried and sometimes fresh, as an appetiser or [[meze]] dish.

Seafood and fish dishes include squid, octopus, [[red mullet]], and [[European seabass|sea bass]]. Cucumber and tomato are used widely in salads. Common vegetable preparations include potatoes in olive oil and parsley, pickled cauliflower and beets, asparagus and [[taro]]. Other traditional delicacies are meat marinated in dried coriander seeds and wine, and eventually dried and smoked, such as ''lountza'' (smoked [[pork loin]]), charcoal-grilled lamb, [[souvlaki]] (pork and chicken cooked over charcoal), and [[sheftalia]] (minced meat wrapped in [[mesentery]]). ''Pourgouri'' ([[bulgur]], cracked wheat) is the traditional source of carbohydrate other than bread, and is used to make the delicacy [[Kibbeh|koubes]].

Fresh vegetables and fruits are common ingredients. Frequently used vegetables include courgettes, green peppers, [[okra]], green beans, artichokes, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and grape leaves, and pulses such as beans, broad beans, peas, black-eyed beans, chick-peas and lentils. The most common fruits and nuts are pears, apples, grapes, oranges, [[mandarin orange|mandarines]], nectarines, [[medlar]], blackberries, cherry, strawberries, figs, watermelon, melon, avocado, lemon, pistachio, almond, chestnut, walnut, and hazelnut.

Cyprus is also well known for its desserts, including ''lokum'' (also known as [[Turkish delight]]) and [[Soutzoukos]].<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3753928.stm Cyprus villagers make giant sweet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517130802/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3753928.stm |date=17 May 2024 }}", ''BBC News'', 18 October 2004</ref> This island has [[Protected geographical indications in the European Union#General regime|protected geographical indication (PGI)]] for its ''lokum'' produced in the village of [[Geroskipou]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Turks riled as Cyprus set to win EU trademark on Turkish Delight | date=13 December 2007 |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/13/europe/EU-GEN-Cyprus-Turkish-Delight.php |work=International Herald Tribune |access-date =14 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202125809/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/13/europe/EU-GEN-Cyprus-Turkish-Delight.php |archive-date=2 December 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://cyprus-mail.com/2016/07/04/agros-rose-preserve-included-protected-geographical-indication-list/ |title=Agros rose preserve included in protected geographical indication list |last=Andreou |first=Evie |date=4 July 2016 |work=Cyprus Mail |access-date=19 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120070241/http://cyprus-mail.com/2016/07/04/agros-rose-preserve-included-protected-geographical-indication-list/ |archive-date=20 January 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Sports===
[[File:Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Center 11.JPG|thumb|[[Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Center|Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Centre]] in [[Limassol]]]]
Sport governing bodies include the [[Cyprus Football Association]], [[Cyprus Basketball Federation]], [[Cyprus Volleyball Federation]], [[Cyprus Automobile Association]], Cyprus Badminton Federation,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cyprusbadminton.com |title=Cyprus Badminton Federation |publisher=Cyprusbadminton.com |access-date=27 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403054924/http://www.cyprusbadminton.com/ |archive-date=3 April 2009}}</ref> [[Cyprus Cricket Association]], [[Cyprus Rugby Federation]] and the Cyprus Pool Association.

Notable sports teams in the Cyprus leagues include [[APOEL FC]], [[Anorthosis Famagusta FC]], [[AC Omonia]], [[AEL Lemesos|AEL Limassol FC]], [[Apollon Limassol FC]], [[Nea Salamis Famagusta FC]], [[Olympiakos Nicosia]], [[AEK Larnaca FC]], [[Aris Limassol FC]], [[AEL Limassol B.C.]], [[Keravnos B.C.]] and [[Apollon Limassol B.C.]] Stadiums or sports venues include the [[GSP Stadium]] (the largest in the Republic of Cyprus-controlled areas), [[Tsirion Stadium]] (second largest), [[Neo GSZ Stadium]], [[Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium]], [[Ammochostos Stadium]]. [[Makario Stadium]] and [[Alphamega Stadium]].

In the 2008–09 season, [[Anorthosis Famagusta FC]] was the first Cypriot team to qualify for the [[UEFA Champions League]] Group stage. Next season, [[APOEL FC]] qualified for the UEFA Champions League group stage, and reached the last 8 of the [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League]] after finishing top of its group and beating French [[Olympique Lyonnais]] in the Round of 16.

The [[Cyprus national rugby union team]] known as ''The Moufflons'' currently holds the record for most consecutive international wins, which is especially notable as the [[Cyprus Rugby Federation]] was only formed in 2006.

Footballer [[Sotiris Kaiafas]] won the [[European Golden Shoe]] in the 1975–76 season; Cyprus is the smallest country by population to have one of its players win the award. Tennis player [[Marcos Baghdatis]] was ranked 8th in the world, was a finalist at the Australian Open, and reached the [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]] semi-final, all in 2006. High jumper [[Kyriakos Ioannou]] achieved a jump of 2.35m at the 11th [[IAAF World Championships in Athletics]] in [[Osaka]], Japan, in 2007, winning the bronze medal. He has been ranked third in the world. In motorsports, [[Tio Ellinas]] is a successful race car driver, currently racing in the [[GP3 Series]] for Marussia [[Manor Motorsport]]. There is also mixed martial artist [[Costas Philippou]], who competed in [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]]'s middleweight division from 2011 until 2015. Costas holds a 6–4 record in UFC bouts.

Also notable for a Mediterranean island, the siblings [[Christopher Papamichalopoulos|Christopher]] and [[Sophia Papamichalopoulou]] qualified for the [[2010 Winter Olympics]] in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They were the only athletes who managed to qualify and thus represented [[Cyprus at the 2010 Winter Olympics]].

The country's first ever Olympic medal, a silver medal, was won by the sailor [[Pavlos Kontides]], at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in the [[Sailing at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's Laser class|Men's Laser class]].