A cultural hub has been established in the village of Lemba, Paphos.
The Lemba Culture Village is an ambitious project, conceived by the late Cypriot artist Stass Paraskos (1933-2014), which promises to cultivate a vibrant hub for artistic creation and education.
Paraskos, a renowned artist who honed his skills in England, established the Cyprus College of Art in Famagusta. However, the 1974 Turkish invasion forced him to relocate. Undeterred, Paraskos found refuge in Lemba where he established a well-respected art school known for attracting international talents. There, he repurposed abandoned properties in the village, and his legacy lives on through open-air sculptures created collaboratively with his students.
The Lemba Culture Village itself stems from a 2007 initiative by then-Education Minister Akis Kleanthous, who championed Paraskos’ vision. A testament to the project’s enduring appeal, an architectural competition launched in 2016 attracted 40 submissions.
The winning design, selected by a jury, came from the team of Spyros Spyrou, Haris Christodoulou, Angela Zisimopoulou, and Charis Solomou. With construction now finalised, the focus shifts towards maximizing the potential of the new facilities.
The architects behind the project placed a strong emphasis on fostering a genuine “village” atmosphere.
This is reflected in the layout, where art workshops and guesthouses specifically designed to accommodate Cypriot students and visiting international artists are positioned to encourage interaction.
Shared courtyards and adaptable spaces pave the way for a diverse range of cultural events, fostering engagement with both the Lemba community and Cypriot society at large.
