Blogs

July 3-4, 2010-Limassol, Cyprus

The size of a place need never be a limiting factor in how much talent is nurtured there. It isn’t more true of any place than of Limassol. It is so relatively small but the rich cultural amalgam that you get to witness here through the year is comparable to the best cities in the world.

Even in this context, a great production by a new theatre arts school last weekend soared over the horizon and swept the audience off their feet.

This year was the 48th year for 'Shakespeare at Curium'.  For me  it was the 5th one that I saw and although I do remember how I enjoy  them, it is easy to forget what sheer magic they are. This year's performance was 'The Taming of the Shrew'.

When the rainbow descended on the City

I can barely tell the rook from the pawn but, past seven weekends with the Cyprus chess loving fraternity, has made me feel like a part of them. I have enjoyed the time soaking in all the solemnity, oneness and single minded devotion to the game which so describes the room. I have actually looked forward to meeting the same fifty faces every weekend, exchanging a curt nod here and a long conversation there.

Cyprus had a breathtakingly beautiful white Christmas at Mt Olympus. It had snowed the night before - season's first.

Visitors were welcomed with fresh powdery snow as far as the eye could see. Snowmen, snowfights, roasted chestnuts, dancing in the chill; people were expressing their joy in every which way.   

It was some experience, watching Marcos Baghdatis play at the National Tennis Centre in Nicosia for Davis cup on 13th April.

It was a mercilessly hot afternoon and everything else about the match was very Cypriot too. The charged atmosphere, slogan shouting crowds, the horns reminiscent of a football game, the heaving coffee stalls, the smell of souvlakia and Marcos who communicated with the crowds all the time and played for them.

It was an easy win for Marcos, but the poor Slovenian did not have a chance. The crowd leaves no doubt at all about whose side they are on. It would be a surprise if even top seeded players like Federer or Nadal could win against Baghdatis in Cyprus. The kind of adulation and oneness with the spectators that he enjoys is unbelievable.