Books: Textiles from Cyprus by Dr. Eleni Papademetriou

Dr Eleni Papademetriou’s Textiles from Cyprus offers a richly detailed account of the island’s textile heritage, shaped by the natural environment, deep-rooted social customs, and a way of life that, in many parts of the island, has been irrevocably altered by war, migration, and modernity.

Born in Karavas, Kyrenia, Papademetriou is a respected ethnographer, philologist, and photographer, whose career has focused on documenting and preserving Cypriot cultural traditions. Her published work spans costume, woodcraft, glazed pottery, and silk production - each a vital thread in the island’s cultural tapestry.

Textiles from Cyprus by Dr. Eleni Papademetriou

In Textiles from Cyprus, Papademetriou turns her lens to the vivid world of cloth, embroidery, and dress, tracing how textiles have functioned as both everyday essentials and forms of cultural expression. Between 1971 and 1974, she travelled across the regions of Cyprus documenting customs and techniques that were rapidly disappearing. Her observations captured the diversity of local traditions: the intricate lefkaritika embroidery of Lefkara, the bold, geometric fidkiotika of Paphos, and the silk weaving of Geroskipou’s now-closed Metaksourgeio factory.

Papademetriou’s writing evokes the textures, colours, and symbolism of Cyprus - from the dark vraka trousers of rural men to the shimmering silks, striped skirts, and embroidered sashes worn by brides and festival-goers - markers of identity, skill, and continuity, handed down through generations.

Dr Eleni Papademetriou has kindly shared an extract from her book, which you can enjoy below:

Textiles From Cyprus by Eleni Papademetriou: Pages 17 - 19

The Weavers and Embroiderers

Cyprus, the sunny island in the Mediterranean, is traversed by two mountain ranges: the low, undulating Pentadactylos range along the length of the north coast and the irregular mass of Troodos in the centre.

Tsevre silk embroidery on a girdle. Photo: E Papademetriou

These ranges form the borders of the fertile coastal belts and treeless plains, where farmers, cattle-raisers, craftsmen and small traders lived. Their income was unsteady, vulnerable to the unpredictable weather conditions and drought, which often scourged the island. The women, who undertook al the household tasks, created some of the most beautiful textiles and embroideries. These were prepared, mainly, for their trousseau but also provided supplementary income for the slender family budget...

(...)

Want to read more of this article?
We are proud to be a subscriber-funded publication with members in 185 countries. We know our readership is passionate about textiles, so we invite you to help us preserve and promote the stories, memories, and histories that fabric holds. Your support allows us to publish our magazine, and also ‘what's on’ information, and subscription interviews, reviews, and long-read articles in our online blog. 

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER? CLICK HERE TO ACCESS CONTENT

OR...to continue reading….


Magazine subscribers automatically get free access to all our online content. We send the access code by email with the publication of each issue. You will also find it on the envelope containing your magazine. Please note the access code changes every issue.

-

Words by Eleni Papademetriou.

-

Image Credits: 

Lead Image: Festive Karpass costume consisted of cotton gown, sayia, silk chemise, log embroidered drawers, cotton cape and jewellery. Image featured on Page 18 of Textiles from Cyprus by Eleni Papademetriou.