Research Program and Digital Library Presentation: “History and Culture of Dress in Cyprus from the 16th to the 20th centuries: Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots and Armenians”

APAC Labs / STARC presented the research program and digital library on the History and Culture of Dress in Cyprus, which was developed in the framework of Dioptra: The Edmée Leventis Digital Library for Cypriot Culture of the Cyprus Institute. Drawing on years of research supported by the Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Center (STARC) and its Andreas Pittas Art Characterization Laboratories (APAC Labs), this digital resource invites audiences to explore and connect with the layers of history that shape Cypriot identity.

The project “History and Culture of Dress in Cyprus” facilitates the study and dissemination of the history of Cypriot dress in its broader socioeconomic and cultural context. Dress in Cyprus includes the apparel of the Greek Cypriots, who represent the majority of the population, as well as that of the Turkish Cypriots and the Armenian community in Cyprus. Utilizing the available written, visual and material evidence, primary focus is given to the early modern and modern eras corresponding to the periods of Ottoman and British rule in Cyprus. During this time the development of Cypriot dress mirrored aspects of the cultural identity, the daily life and the socioeconomic aspirations of the various strata of Cypriot society as they transitioned between the insular realities of Ottoman Cyprus and the island’s gradual Europeanization in the colonial context of the British Empire. 

The use of advanced digital technologies and applications led by APAC Labs, offer a unique approach to important aspects of Cypriot Cultural Heritage. Digital documentation, 2D and 3D imaging and database applications contributed to the creation of a web-based digital platform that virtually narrates and explores the cultural development of the Cypriot dress. 

During the presentation of the project, Prof. Rizopoulou-Egoumenidou, the project’s coordinator, shared the 25-year-old research journey about the traditional Cypriot dress during the Ottoman and British periods. She highlighted the challenges and the innovative technological advancements of the project that have made the project open and accessible to the public. Dr. Nolly Moisi, lead research affiliate of the effort, presented the interdisciplinary collaborative team of the project including scholars, institutions, museums and communities that contributed to the project. On behalf of APAC Labs, Dr. Avgoustinos Avgousti and Prof. Nikolas Bakirtzis, provided an overview of the digital library, presenting its technological advancements, features and future development. 

Explore the project ‘History and Culture of Dress in Cyprus’ here: https://folk-arts.cyi.ac.cy/