The word ‘wisdom’ has left its mark on humanity throughout the ages of world history. Many civilisations have been captivated by the notion of wisdom, but none more so than the ancient Greeks, who are often considered its birthplace.
Thousands of years ago, those drawn to its truths dedicated their lives to its service. Plato, Aristotle, Socrates and Pythagoras, among others, championed wisdom and other virtues that form the very foundations of our European culture today.
Wisdom, a deeply spiritual concept, bestows upon humans the ability to harness their experiences and knowledge by embodying a multitude of virtues and values. The S.O.F.I.A. Foundation (Association of Organised Philological and Historical Archives) is a non-profit organisation that seeks to showcase the historical imprint of Hellenism and the values it espouses worldwide.
It aims to highlight the significance of these principles in shaping our cultural identity, both nationally and at a European level.
The S.O.F.I.A. Foundation in Cyprus (established in 2003) and its branch in Greece (established in 2004) pursue these goals generously, harnessing the vast and precious collection of cultural material in their possession.
This material can captivate and delight the most discerning of historians, social scientists and connoisseur collectors while also sparking the interest of the most unsuspecting observer.
The Foundation has been active in the fields of culture, education and the arts in Cyprus and Greece for many years. It collaborates with cultural institutions, public organisations, academics, scholars, writers and artists, striving to utilise this wealth of material in a multifaceted, creative and interdisciplinary manner.
S.O.F.I.A. is, in essence, a unique cultural and educational treasure trove, meticulously curated over the years. It encompasses artefacts from antiquity to the present day, and some of its individual collections are internationally recognised as among the largest and most valuable in the world.
Yet the significance of these collections remains largely unexplored by the general public and scholars alike. The team at S.O.F.I.A. is committed to organising and digitising this vast archive to make it accessible to all.
The founder of S.O.F.I.A., Renos Michaelides, is committed to ensuring that this valuable material is preserved and presented most professionally and officially in Cyprus.
In his quest to realise this dream, Michaelides has found companions and allies in prominent figures of Cypriot and Greek literature and the arts, such as the iconic Klairi Angelidou, who was also a member of the foundation’s initial governing board.
The S.O.F.I.A. Foundation’s primary concern is the establishment of a suitable space in Cyprus, where the organisation’s collections can be exhibited and accessed by researchers and visitors alike.
This cultural hub would serve as a modern-day temple dedicated to wisdom and creativity, enabling individuals to immerse themselves in the realm of history and its mysteries through contemporary means.
The collections within the foundation include:
- Historical Archives and Documents
- Books
- Childhood Archive (one of the three most significant toy collections worldwide)
- Airline Game Collection (one of the most important collections globally)
- Film and Photography Archive
- Periodicals Archive
- Music Archive (Greek and international)
- Cypriot Antiquities
Some of the most notable actions and events organised by the S.O.F.I.A. Foundation:
- Space Toy Odessy Exhibition (2013 – present): Organised by the S.O.F.I.A. Foundation and Interstellar Organisation at the Planetarium of Cyprus in Tamassos.
- Oneiropolis Toy Exhibition (2021-2022): Hosted by the S.O.F.I.A. Foundation and the Municipality of Aradippou, in collaboration with the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture. This was the largest toy exhibition ever held in Cyprus, showcasing rare and unique pieces from the foundation’s collection. The exhibition enjoyed great success, attracting thousands of visitors and widespread media coverage, including features in foreign specialist magazines.
- Aradippou Toy Museum (2013 – present): Established and curated by the S.O.F.I.A. Foundation in partnership with the Cyprus Children’s Museum and the Municipality of Aradippou. The museum, which opened in 2013, has since welcomed thousands of visitors and continues to be enriched by the S.O.F.I.A. Foundation. The operational expenses are covered by the Municipality of Aradippou.
- Geri Shadow Theatre Museum (2016 – 2018): Created and organised by the S.O.F.I.A. Foundation, in collaboration with the Cyprus Children’s Museum and the Municipality of Geri. The museum’s operation was eventually halted due to the lack of appropriate exhibition space in the municipality.
- Toy Stories Exhibition (2014 – 2018): A collaboration between the S.O.F.I.A. Foundation and the IME (Hellenic World) in Athens. The exhibition attracted thousands of visitors, and the foundation organised many experiential workshops and periodic exhibitions in conjunction with IME and other educational institutions in Greece. The permanent exhibition was eventually concluded due to internal changes in the management of the Hellenic World.
- Caricaturing the History of the Cyprus Problem (January 2010): Organised by the S.O.F.I.A. Foundation in cooperation with the Photos Photiadis Scientific and Cultural Charity Institution. Generously sponsored by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Cyprus. It was held at the Famagusta Gate, Nicosia, from 14th to 30th January 2010.
- In History with Icarus (December 2008 – January 2009): Showcasing the Museum Collection of Aircraft, certified by Christie’s of London. In collaboration with the Cultural Organisation of the Municipality of Athens and with the support of the General Staff of the Air Force. It was held at the Athens Municipal Cultural Centre from 15th December 2008 to 31st January 2009.
