Σπίτι της Κύπρου. Κέντρο πολιτισμού.

The House of Cyprus

Xenofontos 2Α

Athens 105 57

Website: https://spititiskyprou.gr
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone:  (+30) 210 37 34 934

The House of Cyprus, the Cultural Center of the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Greece, has been housed since December 2011 in the new Embassy building at 2A Xenophontos Street, next to Syntagma Square.

The House of Cyprus (© Days of Art in Greece / Stavros Tsiaras)

Based in Athens, it serves as a source of inspiration and creativity, promoting contemporary art, literature, and the traditional values of Cyprus. Through a variety of events and programs, the House of Cyprus brings people and ideas together, strengthening intercultural cooperation and artistic expression.

It was inaugurated in June 1987, in Kolonaki (10 Irakleitou and Skoufa Streets) by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Spyros Kyprianou, and the Prime Minister of Greece, Andreas Papandreou. The inspiration and first director of the House of Cyprus was George Georgis.

Since its establishment, it has been a special service of the then Ministry of Education of Cyprus and has operated as the Educational Office of the Cypriot Embassy in Athens until July 2022. In July 2022, its responsibilities were transferred to the newly established Deputy Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus, and it was subsequently renamed the “House of Cyprus – Cultural Center” in 2024.

The House of Cyprus has done enviable work in promoting the intellectual output of Cypriot writers and artists, as well as in cultivating and strengthening cultural ties between Greece and Cyprus. It has hosted and continues to host cultural events, art and other exhibitions, musical events, theatrical performances, film screenings, book and other publication presentations, as well as conferences, workshops, lectures, and seminars on art, literature, history, archaeology, and ancient literature, while also collaborating closely with the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation.

The House of Cyprus (© Days of Art in Greece / Stavros Tsiaras)

The most important representatives of the intellectual, artistic, and political worlds of Greece and Cyprus spoke from its stage. Thousands of visitors passed through its halls to attend the literary and artistic events that were presented.

Having taken over the management of the House of Cyprus (HoC) in April 2024, Diomides Nikita has been working all these months with the wonderful team of staff, the people who have worked and continue to work hard, from its inception to the present day, literally carrying on their shoulders the coordination, organization, and implementation of hundreds of events. They are Maria Ragia, Takis Voilas, Eleftheria Theocharous, Andri Chrysanthou, Sofia Garpozi, Ilias Kefalas, and Katerina Kontogianni.

Diomides Nikita. The House of Cyprus Director (© Days of Art in Greece / Stavros Tsiaras)

The House of Cyprus has two large halls, the events hall on the first floor and the art exhibition hall on the second floor of the Embassy. During 2024-2025, priority was given to upgrading the technical infrastructure of the event venues. At the same time, the identity of the House of Cyprus as the Cultural Center of Cyprus in Athens was redefined, with the aim of upgrading its image and renewing its audience. Indicatively, this project led to the creation of a new logo and website, a more systematic and intense presence of the House of Cyprus on social media, and the renewal and enrichment of the event program with new themes and activities.

The House of Cyprus. Conference Hall (© Days of Art in Greece / Stavros Tsiaras)

The House of Cyprus collaborates with the Universities of Cyprus and Greece to co-organize cultural, educational, and other events. It also collaborates with organizations from Cyprus, such as the Cyprus Theatre Organization (CTO), the Cyprus Center of the International Theater Institute and maintains close ties with the Federation of Cypriot Organizations in Greece, as well as with local Cypriot organizations and associations. In addition, it cooperates with the National Student Union of Cypriots in Athens and many other Greek bodies, such as the Committee for the Protection of the Cultural Heritage of Cyprus, the Hellenic Authors’ Society, the Institute of Contemporary Greek Art (ISET), and the Society for the Study of Modern and Contemporary History “Ioannis Kapodistrias” . It maintains, through a memorandum, close cooperation with the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation, where events of interest to Cyprus are organized in its halls, relating to theater, cinema, music, and the visual arts. The contribution and cooperation of the Friends of the Cyprus Cultural Center “The House of Cyprus” is invaluable to the House of Cyprus. Furthermore, expanding and extending its cooperation with cultural centers of other countries based in Greece, as well as cooperating with other Greek cultural institutions and universities, is a key priority.

The House of Cyprus. Library(© Days of Art in Greece / Stavros Tsiaras)

After 39 years of continuous operation, the House of Cyprus is being renovated and offers—in its upgraded premises—a wider range of activities, while remaining faithful to its name, history, choices, and timeless goals: a familiar and welcoming space that showcases the intellectual output of Cypriot and Greek writers, artists, creators, and scientists, cultivating and strengthening relations between intellectuals in Greece and Cyprus; a place that continues to actively participate in the cultural life of Athens.