From Root To Vine

TW: this episode discusses topics that some listeners may find distressing. We are back for season 4! For this very specical first episode, I am joined by Sage Stephanou from Cypriots for Palestine. We discuss Cyprus' role in Palestinian solidarity, the importance of engaging with both islands' shared resilence, and the love that comes from the land. You'll also hear powerful Palestinian poetry readings from our community. A conversation about history, resistance and the power of collective action. Follow us on Instagram and the app formerly known as Twitter @roottovinepod.

We are back!!! Season 4 is here and I am so excited to share more incredible and inspiring Cypriot stories!  TW: this episode discusses sexual assualt which some listeners may find difficult. For the first episode of season 4, I welcome back Dean Atta to discuss his new memoir, Person Unlimited. Both candid and courageous, Person Unlimited explores Dean's life across the many roles he's played: from choirboy to drag act, grandson to mentor, poet to lover. It looks at what he has carried in his body – wins and losses, shame and pride, pain and joy – and investigates how radical self-acceptance and a willingness to abide with discomfort open up the possibility of a life lived beyond definition: a person unlimited. Person Unlimited is out July 4th.  Dean Atta - deanatta.com / @deanatta Person Unlimited - https://linktr.ee/personunlimited Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod.  

For the last episode of the season, plase enjoy a live recording from the Proud Voices panel discussion at the Cyprus High Commission in London to celebrate Pride month.  On the panel: Andreas Pavlou - co-founder of the LGBTQ+ UK Cypriot Diaspora Network Ali Orhan - public health executive specialising in cancer prevention, HIV and sexual health Bahriye Kemal - senior lecturer in Contemporary and Postcolonial Literature at Kent University Sophia Vi - actor, dancer, model, writer and Director of Koupepia Films Ltd. Thank you to the Cyprus High Commission for having us! Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod!

TW: this episode contains language around sexual assault that some listeners may find triggering. Listener discretion is advised.   In this episode, I am joined by Tugba Mimi. One year ago, Tugba was a victim of r*pe in Cyprus. She is now using her platform to raise awareness about violence against women on the island. Tugba tells me why what she experienced is a Cypriot issue, how the partition of Cyprus is preventing people from getting the justice they deserve, and how she is now using her voice to help others and reclaim her own power. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod!

In this episode, I am joined by freelance artist and tourist guide Serap Kanay. Serap's work focusses on archival storytelling, encompassing gender, oral history, Afro-Cyprot heritage and trauma. Serap has been avidly researching Afro Cypriot heritage since the 1990's and her work has been included in several theses. Serap tells me about the origins of Afro-Cypriots on the island, how her work is raising awareness about Afro-Cypriot heirtage, and how rising black consciousness and diversity is making Cypriots confront racism, prejudice and colourism. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

In this episode, I am joined by Andrew Avraam (@andrewavraam_photography). Andrew is an avid photographer whose work explores the abandoned places of Cyprus. On his adventures, Andrew has captured moments in time from abandoned mansions, military bases, Varosha and the UN Buffer Zone. His phorography allows for a window into the past to reveal Cyprus' history and heritage through places long forgotten. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, I am joined by drag performer Tahini Molasses (@tahini.molasses). Tahini burst on to the London drag scene just a couple of years ago and is already making waves with their drag, inspired by Cypriot femme expression. We discuss the beauty of exploring Cypriot culture through a queer and drag lens and what it can teach us about our identity, the importance of queer Cypriot representation and learning to embrace our full selves. Tahini also tells me about their experiences moving to the UK and what being part of the diaspora here in the UK has taught them about their Cypriot identity. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!  

In this episode, I am joined by archaeologist Anastasia Christophilopilou, curator of Cyprus, Greece and Rome at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. She is currently leading the 4-year research project ‘Being an Islander': Art and Identity of the large Mediterranean Islands, aiming to critically re-examine the concept of island life through material culture. Anastasia tells me all about the project's current exhibition on display at the Fitzwilliam Museum, displaying archaeological finds and artworks from the islands of Cyprus, Sardinia and Crete. We also discuss the importance of island life in shaping Cypriot identity, and what ancient study and archaeology can tell us about present day Cyprus. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

TW: This episode discusses topics around conflict, violence and abuse which some listeners may find difficult. In this episode, I am joined by award-winning playwright, theatre-maker, journalist, author, and writing coach Lorna V. Lorna is currently developing her solo theatre practice as part of a PhD investigating migrant heritage and displacement in solo performance. As part of this, Lorna is exploring attitudes to mental health and wellbeing in the diasporic Cypriot and Greek communities. We discuss the importance of embracing community to boost wellbeing, healing trauma through the arts, and embracing identity on your own terms. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!  

In this episode, I am joined by Cey Sesiguzel. Cey is a British-born Cypriot Co-Founder and Creative Director at Two Fresh, one of London's leading video production companies. Cey's mission is to leave a legacy of powerful films that create a positive impact on society. One way he is doing this is with The Divided Island, a feature-length documentary that explores the Cyprus Problem like never before. Cey tells me how his fascination with his Cypriot heritage led him to making The Divided Island documentary, the importance of telling the story of the Cyprus Problem inin a balanced way, and what he has learnt from exploring Cyprus' tumultuous past and present from those who have lived through it.  Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, I am joined by Dean Atta. Dean is a highly acclaimed British author and poet. Dean tells me about navigating his Cypriot, Jamaican and queer identity, the impact of a grandparent's love, finding heritage through queer Cypriot spaces and how writing about his roots affirms his identity. We also discuss Dean's most recent collection "There Is (Still) Love Here", which is a compelling and powerful exploration of relationships, love and loss; encompassing LGBTQ+ and Black history, Greek Cypriot heritage, pride, identity and belonging. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

For the first episode of season 3, I am joined by Christina (@__christina.d), Director of Fashion Heritage Network Cyprus (FHNC). FHNC is a new pioneering platform that strives to celebrate Cypriot fashion heirtage through contemporary sustainable fashion. Christina tells me about the importance of fashion heritage in understanding Cypriot roots, how we can educate young people about fashion sustainability in a creative way, and why small acts of sustainability can bring us closer to our ancestors. Follow FHNC on Instagram @fashionheritage.cy.  Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, I am joined by Anthony Anaxagorou to celebrate the release of his new poetry collection, Heritage Aesthetics. Engaged with the complexities of Cyprus and the diasporic experience, these poems map both an island's public history alongside a person's private reckoning. Anthony tells me how he needs to write to understand himself, why we shouldn't be looking to poetry for answers and why Cypriots are both fascinated and obsessed with race. We also discuss the complexities of Cypriot identity and how honouring the Cypriot dialect is one of the most powerful ways to preserve Cypriot heritage. Heritage Aesthetics is OUT NOW. Follow us on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod and don't forget to leave a rating and review!

In this episode, I am joined by Marios Psaras (@mariospsarras), film maker and former Cultural Counsellor at the Cyprus High Commission (@culturalchcuk). Marios tells me why culture is our most important capital, the importance of cultural diplomacy in promoting a country and building relations and his journey of rediscivering and redefining his Cypriot roots whilst being away from the island. Having just finished an incredible 4 years as Cultural Counsellor, Marios also reflects on what this role has taught him, and his hope for the future of Cypriot art and culture. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

[TW: mention of abuse/sexual harrassment] Thank you so much to the Cypriot Wine Festival and Business Expo for having us!  For this episode, I'm joined by Phoebe Coles, Founder of Bubble Out CY (@bubbleoutcyp) and Vicinus CY (@vicinus_cy). We discuss being confident in our Cypriot identity as part of the diaspora, finding hope via grassroots activism and why it's our duty as British Cypriots to speak up for everyone on the island. Phoebe also tells me how her activism is connecting her to her roots, what inclusive activism looks like and why showing up for the most marginalised people is an authentic way to show true love for your country. Follow us on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod. Subscribe to our NEW YouTube Channel 'From Root To Vine Podcast'. 

Thank you so much to the Cypriot Wine Festival and Business Expo for having us! It was an honour to be joined by Niyazi, chair of the Turkish Cypriot Community Association (TCCA). Niayzi and I discuss the importance of cultural preservation against a backdrop of assimilation, why young Cypriots need to work with the older generations to maintain their Cypriot power and his belief that Cypriots are ready for a free, united island. Niyazi also shares his experiences growing up in Cyprus during the island's conflict and ultimate partition, and why we should never lose hope for a peaceful future. The TCCA was created in 1976 and is the largest Turkish-speaking charity in the UK. To accommodate the growing number of Turkish Cypriot migrants to the UK, the TCCA was established to provide culturally, linguistically, and religiously sensitive services to Turkish Cypriot community. It offers a number of projects to provide opportunities and a better quality of life for the community. Find out more about the TCCA here . Follow us on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod. Subscribe to our NEW YouTube Channel! 

Thank you so much to the Cypriot Wine Festival and Business Expo for having us! 1,500 Greek Cypriots and 500 Turkish Cypriots are still missing following the inter-communal violence and illegal invasion of Cyprus in 1974, but there is strong reason to believe that the number is in fact much higher. Christina tells me why it's vital for young Cypriots in the diaspora to engage with the missing persons issue, how the missing persons of Cyprus is a cross-communal issue that affects all Cypriots, why bringing closure to families impacted by missing persons is an important step in healing from the trauma of the past, and why we all deserve to know the truth about our history. As well as being the founder of SOMA Studios London, where she is producing the documentary on the Missing Persons issue, Christina is also the Vice President of NEPOMAK UK. Learn more about the missing persons of Cyprus: Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus - https://www.cmp-cyprus.org/ Organisation of Relatives of Missing Cypriots (ORMC UK) - http://www.ormc-uk.org/ Pancyprian Organisation of the Relatives of Undeclared Prisoners and Missing Persons - http://www.missing-cy.org.cy/en/Home Follow us on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod. Subscribe to our NEW YouTube Channel !

Thank you so much to the Cypriot Wine Festival and Business Expo for having us! Tatiana tells me of her experience growing up in the UK and Cyprus as a ‘hybrid' Armenian/Greek Cypriot and feelings of being othered as a minority within a minority, the important role of the Armenian Institute in bringing all parts of the Armenian community together to celebrate Armenian lived experience, and why we need to change misconceptions that Armenian history begins and ends with the Genocide. We also discuss the importance of grassroots organising, particularly via education and the arts, in bringing all of the communities of Cyprus together. As well as being a Trustee of the Armenian Institute, Tatiana is a business development manager at The Economist Group, responsible for the commercial development of the World Ocean Initiative. Tatiana currently sits on the Committee for Alkionides UK, a charity that supports low-income families from Cyprus undergoing medical treatment in UK hospitals. Follow us on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod. Subscribe to our NEW YouTube Channel !

 Thank you so much to the Cypriot Wine Festival and Business Expo for having us! For this episode I'm joined by Chriso, one of the many brains behind the scenes bringing the festival to life. Chriso tells me about the festival's origins and roots, why it's important that current and future generations ensure it continues to thrive, and how it has become a staple of the community for the past 40 years. As the biggest Cypriot event outside of Cyprus, there's no better place celebrating Cypriot culture and heritage. Its come a long way since it's days in the community centre car park, but we need to do more to ensure its status is preserved for generations to come. It's not too early to get involved with the Cypriot Wine Festival for 2023, they're always on the hunt for enthusiastic volunteers. Or if you have a cultural initiative that you think will add value to the event, get in touch. Find more info via their website (cwfexpo.co.uk)! Chriso was previously a member of NEPOMAK UK, and now sits on the Secretariat for the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK. Follow us on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod. Subscribe to our NEW YoutTube channel 'From Root To Vine Podcast'!

Thank you so much to the Cypriot Wine Festival and Business Expo for having us! For this episode, I'm joined by Adrian Patsalos, President of NEPOMAK UK (@nepomakuk) Cypriot youth organisation. NEPOMAK's aim is to bring together young Cypriots from across the UK to promote and celebrate Cypriot culture, heritage and encourage networking amongst its members. 2022 marks NEPOMAK's 20th anniversary - we discuss its legacy and importance in connecting young Cypriots to the past whilst celebrating the future, how young Cypriots can be involved in the peace process, and why we should always champion our grandparents! NEPOMAK hosts a variety of events throughout the year across the UK, follow them to stay up to date - https://nepomak.org/uk/.  Follow us on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel 'From Root To Vine Podcast'!

Thank you so much to the Cypriot Wine Festival and Business Expo for having us! For this episode, I'm joined by Rebecca Lazarou aka Laz The Plant Scientist. We discuss how the land can connect us to our roots, the importance of holistic healing and why Cypriot (and non-western) culture is rooted in herbal wellbeing. Rebecca is currently curating a project at Kew Gardens exploring ancient Cypriot medicines - if you have any knowledge to share get in touch with her at cypriotmedicines@gmail.com. Rebecca is a medical plant scientist at Kew Gardens, herbal expert, holistic therapist and educator. She is also the founder of Laz The Plant Scientist, an educational platform for holistic wellness. Follow us on instagram/twitter @roottovinepod. Subscribe to our YouTube channel 'From Root To Vine Podcast'!

Happy Pride Month! To honour this rainbow month, we're revisiting an episode from season 1 with the LGBTQ+ Cypriot Diaspora Group. Established in 2018, this multi-communal group was created to provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ Cypriots and allies in the UK to come together and celebrate Cypriot and queer identity. Through events, socials and networking, the group is proving that you can still connect with your heritage without having to diminish your queerness. Want to get involved? The group is now open for submissons and collabs - find more info on Instagram @lgbtq_cypriot_diaspora. I'll also be spotlighting other pride events to get involved in both in the UK and Cyprus! Don't forget to like/subscribe so you never miss an episode, and follow us on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod to get involved in the conversation and keep up to date with new releases.

In this episode, I am joined by the lovely Leandros as we discuss how being separated from your heritage forces you to find out who you really are. Leandros tells me how his art is helping him affirm his Cypriot identity, why Haringey Cypriots are the most authentic, reimagining ancient history and mythology with queer Aphrodite, and how his very own Aphrodite is a nod to every iconic Cypriot woman through the ages. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In this episode I am joined by Yas Necati (they/them); a writer, artist, activist and performer. Their work focusses on queer and trans rights, feminism, mental health and community building. Their performances combine poetry and drag to ask questions about gender, immigration, belonging and what it means to know home. Yas teaches me about the intersection between queer and Cypriot identity, the parallels between gender and the border, why community will always be at the heart of peace building, and how Turkish drag is helping them reimagine their heritage. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Check out Yas's monthly column about gender for gal-dem, "Against the binary."

POURGOURI MOU!!! This episode I'm joined by the brilliant Alexander Theo. Alex is an actor, comedian, writer and all round Cypriot legend who burst onto the social media scene with his sketches depicting a typical Cypriot family. We put down the wigs (mostly) to chat about Alex's life and journey so far, how is work is connecting all immigrant communities in the UK and why Cypriot women will always be his biggest source of inspiration. Also enjoy a brief interlude of us fangirl-ing over some Cypriot icons, and wait til the end to hear from North London's very own Cypriot goddess, Soulla! Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, I am joined by my friend and walking music encyclopedia, Cahit Asova. We discuss the characteristics that make traditional Cypriot music and how listening it can transport us back to the homeland, proving just how important music and identity is. Cahit also tells me how Cyprus' history and politics has transformed the music on the island, and despite efforts to erase it, how traditional music lives on through peace-building efforts. Cahit is on a mission to prove that traditional Cypriot music is for everyone and why we can't leave it in the past. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, I'm joined by my lovely friend and one of the brightest minds, Georgio Konstandi. Georgio is the Founder and Editor of Politika New (@pol.it.ika.news), an online media resource platforming voices that matter. We sat down over a cup of kafe at Aroma Patisserie in North London to discuss the Cypriot community in the Midlands, why Georgio is reclaiming his identity and rejecting Hellenic discourse and what his work with Politika News is teaching him about his own Cypriot roots. Get involved with the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In loving memory of Stavros Zorlakkis 23/6/1936 - 27/2/2022 For the last episode of season 1, I interviewed my amazing grandad/bapou/dede, Stavros. In honour of his incredible life, here it is again. 

Strap in for a lot of laughs and trips down memory lane for this episode! I'm joined by Cypriot comedy icon Eray (@eraybeyi) who is on a mission to spread love and celebrate his Cypriot roots one sketch at a time. We discuss his grandfather's incredible legacy, why laughter is the best way to bring peace, and how one random night at a bar in Kyrenia, Cyprus made Eray realise his passion and talent for exploring his Cypriot roots through comedy. Don't forget to like/subscribe and get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod!

In this episode, we're going down under (virtually)! I'm joined by Eleni aka @myfamilysfooddiary to celebrate #FEBulousCypriotFood, a campaign she created to educate the world about the beauty of Cypriot cooking. We discuss Eleni's Australian/Cypriot identity, how food is inherent to understanding Cypriot identity, how she is carrying on her mum's legacy and teaching her children about their Cypriot roots through food. Don't forget to like/subscribe and get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod.

We're on location! This episode was recorded in Lefkosia/Lefkosa, Cyprus, back in September 2021 where I finally got to meet my good friend Selay (aka @thecypriotstory) IRL for the first time! Over some delicious bourekia/koubes we discuss being Cypriot in Canada, bi-communal activism and why Selay finally feels like she's home. This conversation feels very poignant given the recent economic and social difficulties Turkish Cypriots are facing in the North and it was really special learning from Selay. Don't forget to like/subscribe and get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod.

In this episode, we're going back to the classroom to revisit one of our favourite subjects: language. You've heard of Cypriot Greek and Cypriot Turkish, but what about the other languages of Cyprus and the communities they represent? To unpack this, I'm joined by Spyros Armostis, a Lecturer in Linguistics at the University of Cyprus. We chat about Cypriot Arabic, Western Armenian and Kurbetcha, as well as why multiculturalism is both inherent and essential to Cyprus. If you like this episode, don't forget to like/subscribe, and leave us a rating! Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod. 

In this episode, I'm joined by my god sister, bestie, and all round favourite person, Maria Zorlakkis-Gadelrab. Maria explores the influence of being raised by her traditional Cypriot grandparents, her recipe for the perfect Cypriot girl starter pack, and how marrying into an Egyptian family is helping her understand and celebrate her Cypriot roots.  If you liked this episode, don't forget to like/subscribe, and leave us a rating! Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod. See you on the next one!

Welcome to Season 2 of From Root To Vine, the first podcast to archive and explore Cypriot roots in the UK! I'm your host, Maria Christodoulou, and I'm back with some amazing guests to explore the things that define our Cypriot roots, as well as the brilliant work being done by and for Cypriots here in the UK and beyond.  Episodes dropping bi-weekly on Sundays. Don't forget to like/subscribe so you never miss an episode, and why not leave us a rating if you enjoy the show! Get involved in the conversation on Instagram/Twitter @roottovinepod. 

For the final episode of season 1, I am joined by my grandad/bapou, Stavros Zorlakkis. Stavros tells us his story of growing up in a traditional Cypriot village and his eventual migration to the UK in 1960. Like many 1st generation migrants, it's a story of love, loss and admirable strength. We discuss the importance of bi-communal peace, why leaving the motherland is still a struggle 60 years later, and the importance of young people celebrating their Cypriot roots. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram and Twitter @roottovinepod. Thanks for listening!

In this episode I am joined by Bahriye Kemal and Daniele Nunziata from Exploring Cypriot Identity (@exploring_cypriot_identity_) to explore how literature can be used an accessible means to understand identity. We discuss the legacy of colonialism and its role in Cyprus's partition, why we need to look through a postcolonial lens to undo the violence of the past, and the power of the literatures of Cyprus in bringing solidarity and peace to all Cypriot communities. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram and Twitter @roottovinepod. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, I am joined by Sandie Xenia to explore growing up as a black-British Cypriot. Sandie tells me how her parents and grandparents have been influential in celebrating both her Cypriot and Jamaican roots, the difficulties of feeling like she must constantly project her Cypriot-ness for people to respect it, and why we need to talk more about prejudices in the Orthodox Church. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram and Twitter @roottovinepod. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, I am joined by actor and comedian Aziz Kemal (@theazizshow) to discuss Cypriot representation in the mainstream media. We explore the power of comedy as a means to represent and understand Cypriot identity, and why ‘ethnic comedy' is starting to get the recognition it deserves. Aziz unpacks why this is particularly precious for the Cypriot community in the face of division, and why he's learned that you should never call Cypriot girls unambitious!  Get involved in the conversation on Instagram and Twitter @roottovinepod. Thanks for listening!

In this episode I am joined by Demel Mehmet (@demel.sl / @okku.pied) to discuss perhaps the most taboo topic in the community: sex and relationships! Dems and I get candid about navigating love when you have a strict upbringing, the pressures and contradictions that society places on women, and why women's liberation isn't just determined by the western world. I hope this chat encourages everyone to continue breaking the taboo. And girls, maybe start listening to your yiayia's/nene's advice! Get involved in the conversation on Instagram and Twitter @roottovinepod. Thanks for listening! 

In this episode, I am joined by Çise Çavuşoğlu to discuss the Turkish Cypriot language. We explore the impact language teaching has on how young people come to understand their Cypriot identity in the UK, why we need to increase the exposure to Cypriot language, and the beauty in valuing the diversity of language forms for the British Cypriot diaspora. Çise has undergone extensive research into the Turkish Cypriot community in London, by interacting with both students and staff in Turkish Schools. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram and Twitter @roottovinepod. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, I am joined by Dr Anna Charalambidou and Dr Petros Karatsareas to discuss the Cypriot dialects. We explore if language is an important marker of identity, how it transforms across diaspora generations, and why the difference between a language and a dialect is political and not linguistic. Anna and Petros are also making the first permanent archive of ‘Grenglish' words with The Grenglish Project (@GrenglishProj on Twitter). Get involved in the conversation on Instagram and Twitter @roottovinepod. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, I am joined by Gülsün (@gulsmedikitchen) to discuss everyone's favourite topic – FOOD! Gülsün tells us how she's exploring her roots (and the ones in the ground) back in Cyprus, the beauty of living off the land, and why we should all learn our mum's recipes. Now a foodie sensation on Instagram, Gülsün is putting Cypriot cooking on the map and proving that food is the simplest and most accessible way to celebrate your roots. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram and Twitter @roottovinepod. Thanks for listening!

Happy Women's History Month! In this episode I am joined by Katerina Georgiou and my mum Soula Zorlakkis to discuss motherhood. Despite having very unique experiences of motherhood, Kat and Soula's stories share many similarities of the joys and pressures that come with raising a family in the Cypriot community. What makes a typical Cypriot mum? They're maybe a little bit anxious, definitely a little bit crazy, but most importantly the heart and home (and neck!) of the family! What better way to celebrate Cypriot womanhood. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram @roottovinepod. Thanks for listening!

Happy LGBTQ+ History Month! In this episode, I am joined by Anastasia, Hanna and Andreas who form the committee of the LGBTQ+ Cypriot Diaspora (@lgbtq_cypriot_diaspora), a group that was created a few years ago to celebrate and give a voice to LGBTQ+ Cypriots in the UK. We discuss the challenges that can come with understanding your Cypriot roots when balancing these intersecting identities, and how you can always find safety in your community. Can Cypriot and queer identity exist in harmony? This group is proving just that, by showing that visibility and representation is the best way to break down barriers and challenge stereotypes. Get involved in the conversation on Instagram @roototvinepod. Thanks for listening!

For the very first episode of From Root To Vine, I am joined by my big sister Athena to spill the tea (or kafe) on our Cypriot childhood. Just how Cypriot are we? And what is a “typical kori girl”? Athena also tells us how she's keeping her Cypriot roots alive whilst living abroad, and why she will always be yiayia and bapou's biggest fangirl, get involved in the conversation on Instagram @rootovinepod. Thanks for listening! 

Welcome to From Root To Vine, the first podcast giving a voice to the Cypriot diaspora in the UK! Episodes dropping bi-weekly. Follow us on Instagram @roottovinepod for updates.