Theater

Ardhana is a small and poor village and its residents – most of them farmers and shepherds – had a hard time making the ends meet. In spite of that, the village developed a significant theatrical movement that started taking place in the middle of the 1950’s. Few young people from Ardhana started this effort.

During the period of 1956 to 1962 twelve plays of national and religious content were presented on stage. These performances helped in raising the morale of the people of the village and those of the neighboring areas.

The performances at first took place in a coffee house and at the square of the village. From 1961, the facilities of the Christian Orthodox Foundation “Saint George” which included a fully equipped theater stage were used.

Some of the plays were also presented in the towns of Trikomo and Yialousa with great success.

A lot of young people contributed to this cultural event. But the person who envisioned and led this effort was Andreas Maragos. - a natural and talented actor and director.

Andreas Maragos was born in Ardhana. He studied theater in Greece where he graduated in 1966. He had a significant presence in the cultural activities in Cyprus as actor and director. He directed a lot of plays for the Theatrical Organization of Cyprus and the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation. He participated in more than seventy plays.

Popular Poetry

There are many popular poets from Ardhana. The most known to the greater public are Sotiris Zacharia and Kipris Hadjiafxentis.

The poems of Sotiri Zacharia are included in the collection of the Cypriot Popular Poets. His poets were published in 1982 and 1985 under the titles “Pentadaktylos is crying” and “Starlight”.

 Kipris Hadjiafxentis was a farmer. He got involved with popular poetry more intensely after the Turkish invasion and occupation. He recited a lot of his poems during the Larnaka Festival (kataklysmos). He published some of his poems in 1989 under the title “Memories of Ardhana”

But most of the popular poets from Ardhana are unknown to the greater public and emerged mainly after 1974. Popular poetry was the medium that these simple people used to express their homesickness for their beloved village and their will for return.

One sample of this popular poetry – in free translation – is presented below. The verses are part of the poem of George A. Hadjikyriacos “My unbearable pain”.

“I haven’t got many years to  live and I wish before I die

to see again these mountains that lie above Ardhana

the village church

and Saint Georges’s day

inside this church to celebrate

To see reyiatiko which lies above

this mountain was created to always be ours

because God created it to look out our village

to be a non-sleep guardian for us and for our children”

The popular Violist Artemis Anastasi

Artemis Anastasi mostly known as Artemis from Ardhana was probably the best popular violist of Cyprus. Artemis was born in Ardhana in 1905 and died in London where he immigrated in 1962.

Artemis was a professional popular violist and teacher. He was taught violin from his father and from the popular violist and teacher Yiannoui from Nicosia.

Artemis was always the first choice for wedding receptions. He was also being invited to perform in fares, engagements, baptisms, receptions etc.

Popular Arts 

There are three popular Artists from Ardhana. These are: Costas Maragos, Charalambos Hadjichristofi and Charalambos Orphanides.

Costas Maragos was a carpenter. He got involved with popular art toward the decade of 1960 engraving on trunks and other household items.

Charalambos Hadjichristofis is a self-taught painter unknown to the public. He began painting when he was 65 and retired. He draws the subject matter of his paintings from the life in the village. He also paints monuments of the village and the surrounding area - the church of Saint George, the monastery of Apostle Andreas, Kantara Castle etc.

Charalambos Orphanides was born in Ardhana in 1916. He fought during the Second World War and with the end of the world he immigrated in England. He returned to Cyprus in 1983 and he began engraving on stone. The subject matter that inspires him comes from the Greek history and religion.

A scene from the play the " Sacrifice of Arbaham" which was presented on stage in 1961 and 1962. The role of Abraham was played by Andreas Maragos. The play was also presented in Trikomo in 1962.

The popular poet Kipris Hadjiafxentis.

The Reyiatiko peak at Pentadaktylos range. This mountain inspired the popular poet George A. Hadjikyriacos.

Artemis Anastasiou Antoni. The popular violist from Ardhana.

A painting by Charalambos Hadjichristofis.

A sculpture  by Charalambos Orphanides.