Above: The crowd at the Cyprus Music Awards 2007

If anything, the beauty of having a history of colonial invasions is that a nation’s culture becomes richer. It can be seen most apparent in architecture, language, and customs. Cypriot music is no exception. As an important trading post between European, African, and Middle Eastern civilisations throughout history, the influences of these cultures on Cypriot music cannot be denied.

Traditional Cypriot music

AYIA NAPA, the tourist paradise of Cyprus, with its lovely golden beaches, clear seawaters and its pleasant and warm-hearted inhabitants has maintained simplicity of life, which is in full accord with the historic traditions of Cyprus. One may wonder where the name AYIA NAPA is derived from. As far as we know there is no saint that bears this name. The word Napa is archaic and it means woodland. In ancient times this area was uninhabited and was covered with a thick forest, visited only by hunters from the neighbouring villages.