Remember our island’s traditional markets? They’re being reinvented…
Decades ago, market day meant catching the Bedford.
Yes, larger villages had occasional markets, and there was always a panayiri. But the weekly shop down in the town (hair-raising hairpin bends on the bus; women sitting at the back, men at the front, and chickens in between) was the big event…
Back then, market day was an experience. You’d meet up with friends and relatives: the cousin from Omodhos, the sister who married a man over in Ayios Nicolaos. And then you’d wander round, inspecting the wares and haggling for produce…
This was where you bought the things you didn’t grow or make yourself: tablecloths and sheets; pots and pans; skeins of fine cotton to make a bedspread for your soon-to-be-married daughter.
You’d buy terracotta made in Kornos; baskets from Sotira, textiles woven in Fyti and lace crafted in Lefkara. And, alongside wooden utensils or furniture from Kakopetria, you might find cherry preserves from Platres, loukoumi from Yeriskippou and pasteli from Anogyra.
Every municipality had this sort of market – many still do. But they were different then.
“Today, if you need something, you go to the Mall or IKEA,” grimaces Luzdary Hammad Stavrou. “And you’ll probably end up paying over the odds for something mass-produced and lacking in character.
“What you won’t find is items with a soul and a story.”
This is where Handmade in Cyprus comes in: a community gathering much like those of old.
“Once, you would have visited the market and known everyone you bought from,” says Luzdary, who founded Handmade in Cyprus in 2021.
“Your shoes might be made by Giorgos the cobbler; your tablecloth by Paraskevi in the next village over. The earrings your daughter wore at her wedding might have been made by the best silversmith in Lefkara, and the honey for your biscuits came from the beekeeper in the valley.
“Today, in our Handmade markets, the wares might be slightly different – you’re unlikely to be buying cotton doilies, or pots for cooking. But the handmade aspect and the sense of community remain the same. Because our markets are about more than just buying a product: they work on the age-old idea of connecting customers directly with the artisans, and to the stories behind each piece.”
Over the past three years, Handmade in Cyprus has held seven markets at various locations in Nicosia and Limassol. This Christmas, they’ll be holding their eighth, at the European University on December 14 and 15.
“But in the meantime, we’ve taken another step forward,” explains Luzdary. “We’ve also taken Handmade in Cyprus online…”
Doesn’t that mean you lose the direct interaction, though? And what about the story behind each piece?
“To a certain extent, you do lose the face-to-face interaction with the maker,” says Luzdary. “But when you buy from our online platform, you’re getting convenience and efficiency. Plus, you do get to speak to the artist if you want to: the platform is constructed so that each seller has a unique storefront, and you can contact them directly. And it’s the artist themself who will be sending you the product – not some random middleman or faceless entity.
“And, by leveraging digital technology, we’re able to bring customers near and far one-of-a-kind, handmade items that carry meaning, quality and a personal touch. That’s not something you could have enjoyed half a century ago – if the item wasn’t sold at the market you went to, you’d have a hard time finding it.
“Today, you can buy a unique, hand-crafted item wherever you are – be it Lania, Limassol or Liopetri! People still want to know where their things come from and who made them. They’re still seeking that connection to craftsmanship.”
Buying local means buying better, she adds. “It’s helping the economy, supporting small businesses, and making sure the money stays within the community. Every purchase directly benefits the maker, helping them continue doing what they love. And when you buy handmade, you’re investing in quality, sustainability and something that’s truly unique to Cyprus.”
Among the wares at the Handmade markets and on the site are ceramic, hand-glazed mugs, jute handbags, and hand-sewn wall hangings. There are crocheted children’s toys and vintage signs; reclaimed wood shelves and recycled wood pet beds.
Admittedly, there are a few more modern items – personalised t-shirts and resin keyrings. But in among these are wooden bowls carved from local olive and walnut, and pine trestles crafted in the same way they have been for centuries.
“It’s about giving people something tangible, something that’s been made with love right here on the island,” Luzdary explains. “So even those who can’t visit one of our markets can now support local artisans from wherever they are in Cyprus. Or even from abroad…”
While Handmade items cannot yet be shipped overseas, Luzdary is keen to emphasise that the online platform does allow people abroad to buy for friends and family on the island.
“It’s a way for the diaspora to maintain their connection to Cyprus,” she says. “Even if you can’t be here in person, you can still send a thoughtful, handmade piece to someone you love. And that’s more than just a purchase – it’s a way of keeping your bond with the island alive.”
Fifty years ago, market day was an event: an experience woven into the fabric of life in Cyprus.
Today, while the Bedford buses and bustling town squares are becoming a thing of the past, that spirit of connection remains alive and well at Handmade in Cyprus. Whether you’re attending one of their physical markets or buying from the platform, you’re still part of the tradition of supporting local – of keeping the island’s creative heart beating.
In 2024, the products may be more modern. But the ethos remains the same: here, you’re buying something made with care, by the people of the island. It’s not just shopping – it’s preserving a piece of Cyprus’ soul.
For more information, visit handmadein.cy or the Instagram account @handmade.in.cyprus