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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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! 

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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!

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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.

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