Famagusta: Histories, Memories and Realities of a City Suspended in Time (Andrew David Memorial Lecture)

Yiannis Toumazis, Director of the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, presents a rich historical and cultural portrait of Famagusta (Αμμόχωστος), one of Cyprus’s most historically significant cities. 

Tracing its roots from ancient Salamis to its medieval golden age as a thriving port under the Lusignans and Venetians, Famagusta emerges as a crossroads between East and West—renowned for its wealth, Gothic architecture, and cosmopolitan character. 

The presentation explores the city’s dramatic history, including its fall to the Ottomans and the subsequent development of the modern city of Varosha. Particular attention is given to the modern era (1960–1974), when Famagusta became a beacon of cultural life in Cyprus, home to leading artists, writers, intellectuals, and institutions. The lives and legacies of key figures—such as Evangelos Louizos and Georgios Pol Georgiou—highlight the city’s vibrant creative spirit. 

The lecture also addresses the tragic aftermath of the 1974 Turkish invasion, which transformed the once-flourishing Varosha into a sealed-off ghost town. Through historical analysis, personal memory, and visual documentation, this event invites reflection on the enduring significance of Famagusta’s cultural heritage and the vital importance of safeguarding memory in the face of displacement. 

The talk will be followed by a Q&A session.