The Centre of Visual Arts and Research (CVAR), in collaboration with BE OPEN, will present Here Come the Cypriots, a cultural event celebrating Cyprus’s history through fashion and commerce, on 18th October at 18:30 in Nicosia.
The immersive experience weaves a historical timeline of the island through garments and the everyday figures of street sellers, offering a window into Cyprus’s rich and evolving identity at CVAR’s premises at 285 Ermou Street.
The event showcases garments from the Ottoman era to the British colonial period and into modernity, reflecting how fashion has served as a visual marker of social change, economic shifts and cultural exchange.
Schoolchildren to model costumes from Ottoman to modern eras
Teenagers from local schools will bring the historical pieces to life on the catwalk, presenting centuries of fashion to contemporary audiences.
Dr Rita C. Severis noted that the multicultural island of Cyprus represents an amalgamation of societies, histories and events that have left their mark not only on people and their mentality, but also on many aspects of everyday life, including culinary traditions, language and dress.
“It is this last element we celebrate on 18th October in collaboration with BE OPEN, hoping the experience will foster knowledge, deepen understanding, and revive cherished memories,” Dr Severis stated.
Historical street vendors and traders to be recreated
Beyond a fashion event, Here Come the Cypriots seeks to revive the energy of traditional Cypriot streets and markets with the presence of historical peddlers, figures whose trades and crafts shaped daily life for generations. These characters will represent key aspects of Cypriot commerce, from textiles and spices to household goods.
Elena Baturina, founder of BE OPEN, said the deep artistic and artisanal history of Cyprus provides a rich backdrop for such projects, both educational and inspiring.
“It connects the past and the future, weaving together contemporary design and traditional clothes-making. Involving schoolchildren in showcasing centuries of fashion will broaden their knowledge and nurture love, respect, and appreciation for their history, culture, and individual self-expression,” Baturina stated.
The event will take place on Ermou Street, Nicosia, on 18th October 2025 at 18:30. For further information, contact CVAR at +357 22 300994.
The event is co-organised by CVAR and BE OPEN, with Phileleftheros serving as media sponsor.
