ART.Cy second field trip: A journey through memory and art at Mikri Salamina

ART.Cy would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who participated in our second field trip to the Philippos Yiapanis Sculpture Park, Mikri Salamina, in Fasoula, Limassol. Your presence and enthusiasm made this experience truly meaningful.

We are especially grateful to Mr. Philippos Yiapanis for his warm welcome and for generously opening the doors of his sculpture park, studio, and gallery to us. During the visit, Mr. Yiapanis guided us through a deeply personal and moving artistic journey—sharing stories behind his sculptures and paintings, each one bearing witness to Cyprus’s complex history.

Mikri Salamina is not just a sculpture park; it is a living archive of Cyprus's collective memory. Many of the works reflect the deep wounds of the 1974 Turkish invasion, an event Mr. Yiapanis experienced first-hand. At just 17 years old, he was forced to leave his hometown of Varosi, Famagusta, and later became a refugee after being taken prisoner. His dream of becoming a shipbuilder was abruptly shattered—but from that trauma was born a remarkable artistic voice.

Though his first encounter with sculpture came in high school, it wasn’t until the age of 35 that Mr. Yiapanis embraced art as his life’s work. Self-taught and determined, he began sculpting with clay in his spare time—eventually turning his passion into a full-time calling. Today, his work is celebrated for its themes of freedom, the female form, and the human spirit.

Beyond its artistic and historical value, Mikri Salamina is also a place of community and compassion. The park regularly hosts charity events, including the annual Full Moon evening of poetry and music held every August, organized by Channel 6 Radio. Many other events dedicate their proceeds to charitable causes, always with the purpose of helping those in need. Mr. Yiapanis has a strong sense of humanity and a deep belief in the power of dreams, values, and kindness. He frequently welcomes school visits, encouraging young people to pursue their passions and reminding them that through hard work and purpose, anything is possible.

Through this field trip, ART.Cy was proud to offer our participants an intimate look into the mind of one of Cyprus's most powerful artistic voices. The visit reminded us all of the enduring role that art plays in storytelling, healing, and cultural preservation.

Thank you once again to everyone who joined us—and especially to Mr. Philippos Yiapanis, his wife Mrs. Maria and Mr. Andreas—for making this visit unforgettable.

For more information about ART.Cy activities, visit artcy.eu

More information about Mikri Salamina sculpture park is here.