This document describes what would be included in a time capsule to represent the cultural legacy of Cyprus. It would contain: 1. A dictionary of the Cypriot dialect to preserve the unique language that reflects the island's history and culture. 2. Samples of Cypriot poetry, music, and traditional dance to showcase important artistic and folk expressions. 3. Examples of traditional Cypriot foods, drinks, and recipes to demonstrate the cuisine and culinary heritage. 4. Examples of handicrafts and photos of historic buildings to illustrate Cypriot architecture and craftsmanship.

1. If all of the world s
cultural heritage (sports,
music, fashion,
architecture, literature,
painting, etc..) was
contained in a time
capsule, what would you Cyprus
include to demonstrate
the legacy of your By Andreas Petsas
country?

2. This box contains:
A dictionary of the Cypriot Dialect
Cypriot poetry and music
A video of traditional dance
Traditional drinks
The A cookbook of traditional Cypriot dishes
Legacy of Handmade crafts
Cyprus Pictures of historic buildings
2013

3. Dictionary of the Cypriot Dialect
According to German Linguist Jacob Grimm, "Our language
is our history.” This is even more evident in a dialect which is
unique to a certain region and has developed over the
centuries, capturing the culture of the people who speak it.
The Cypriot dialect is a variety of ancient and modern Greek,
with influences from French, Italian and Turkish. This reflects
the impact of the numerous conquerors who occupied the
island over the centuries. This unique dialect only spoken by
Cypriots on the island and abroad, captures the cultural
heritage of my country.
Therefore, to preserve the legacy of my country, I would
place a dictionary of the Cypriot dialect in the time capsule.
In the next slides, I will use the dictionary to explain the
The Cypriot
etymology of the other objects I will insert in the capsule.
Dialect, by Roy
Papaggelou

4. Poetry and music
Tsiatista: From the Turkish word for basting
and arguing
Tsiatista are rhyming, two-verse poems
which are accompanied by music.
Usually two poets would compete in a folk-
rhyming competition.
The theme of most Tsiatista is usually
related to love and daily life. Therefore, I
think that this form of cultural expression
captures a significant aspect of the Cypriot
life and should be preserved for future
generations.

5. Cypriot Dance
Tatsia: The word comes from the Italian word
staccio for sieve.
Tatsia is a traditional Cypriot dance which requires
stamina, good coordination and great skill by the
performer. The dancer, uses a sieve in which he
places a glass of wine in the inside diameter. While
dancing, he spins the sieve, making sure he
doesn’t spill the wine. On some occasions, the
more skillful dancers will put more than one glass
in the sieve.
This form of dance was used traditionally by men to
compete with each other or to impress women.

6. Traditional Drinks
Zivania has been produced in Cyprus since the end of the 15th
Century when the island was occupied by the Venetians. Zivania is
made from the distillation of a mixture of grapes and local dry wine.
Commandaria is a sweet dessert
wine made in the Commandaria
region of Cyprus. It was first
documented on the island in 800 BC
and it is the world’s oldest named
wine still in production. The name
originated from the Crusaders who
occupied the island in the 12th
century.

7. Cookbook of traditional Cypriot
dishes
Meze: Originates from the Turkish word meze for
“taste, flavor, snack, relish”.
Meze, is a selection of small dishes served during a
meal and is common in Cyprus and the Middle East.

8. Cookbook of traditional
Cypriot dishes
Soutzoukos: from the Turkish Sheftalia: The word comes
work sujuk meaning from the Turkish word Şeftali
„sausage‟. for peach.
This type of dessert is made This type of Cypriot dish is
from grape must, nuts and made from mince-meat,
flour. These ingredients are parsley, onions and spices
threaded on a string and wrapped in intestinal
dipped into grape juice which membranes. It has the shape
is let to dry into a sausage of a sausage and is cooked
shape. over charcoal.
Halloumi: The word comes
from the Arabic word hallum.
Souvla is made
from large pieces
This is a semi-hard white
of meat, placed on
cheese that originated in
a long skewer and
Cyprus and is made from a
slow cooked on
mixture of goat’s and sheep’s
hot charcoal.
milk.

9. Handmade crafts: Lefkaritika
The village of Lefkara in
Southeastern Cyprus is famous for
its traditional Lefkaritika lace. This
craft was influenced by the
Venetians who ruled the island in
the 15th century and is still
practiced today. The lace is
handmade and the patterns are
usually geometric shapes from
Ancient Greece and the Byzantine
era.

10. History and Architecture:
Pictures of Cypriot Neighborhoods
Mahallas: From the Turkish word for neighborhood.
The pictures show Cyprus’s residential development
through the centuries.
The ancient
A traditional
city state of
village house
Salamina

11. History and Architecture:
Pictures of Religious Buildings
Religion is an important part of the county’s history and cultural heritage. The
numerous churches and mosques across the island, show the influence on
architecture by the different conquerors over the years. Cyprus has two main
religious groups, the Greek Orthodox Christians living in the South and the
Muslim group mainly living in the North.

12. References:
 Websites used:
 http://www.prosportstickers.com/products/Cyprus-Flag-Crest-Decal-Sticker.html#.UWJLWr8Qg5g
 http://postcardstravelaroundtheglobe.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-church-of-st-pareskevi-pafos-
cyprus.html
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/22083482@N03/2773727176
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hala_Sultan_Tekke_Larnaca_1.JPG
 http://hellenicantidote.blogspot.com/2012/10/family-names-and-cypriot-history.html
 http://www.unesco.org.cy/PhotoGallery-
Intangible_Cultural_Heritage_(Cyprus),0,46,EN?Section=Programmes&WebContentCode=EN.P
ROGRAMMES.04.02.03
 http://www.isg-tour.ru/en/companies/view/region3/cat105/1362.html
 http://www.niccooks.com/uncategorized/cheesepalooza-3-halloumi/
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CuRWVKTDis
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPyLA7Ak0FU
 Books used:
 Παπαγγέλου Ρόης. Το Κυπριακό Ιδίωμα.Λευκωσία. Ιωλκος. 2001