Emma's Lunch - 2nd Birthday Bash

Classic opera concert “THE MAGIC OF OPERA”

On 21 of November 2014 in Limassol (Theatre RIALTO) at 7 p.m. Moscow academic Musical theatre named after Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko, one of the leading musical theatres of Russia, presents Classic opera concert "THE MAGIC OF OPERA".

The gold voices of the theatre Natalia Petrozhitskaya (Soprano) and Dmitry Zuev (Baritone) – are participants of numerous prestigious International festivals and Vocal Competitions.

The most demanding public will be pleased of the concert program:
• Rossini, "The Barber of Seville" (Figaro's Aria)
• Bellini, "Norma" (Casta Diva)
• Mozart "Don Giovanni" (Duet of don Giovanni and Zerlina, 3rd Donna Elvira's Aria, "Champagne Aria")
• Puccini, "Gianni Schicchi" (Lauretta's Aria "O mio babbino caro", Aria Gianni Schicchi)
• Leoncavallo, "I Pagliacci" (Duet of Silvio and Nedda)
• Rachmaninoff (Prelude)
• Tchaikovsky, "The Queen of spades" ( Liza's Aria "Where from these tears", Aria of Prince Yeletsky)
• Tchaikovsky "Eugene Onegin" (The Final scene).

Piano accompaniment by Antonina Kadobnova (principal concertmaster of the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Concervatory).

Duration of concert - 2 hour with interval.
Recommended age - 12 +.
Price of tickets: 20 Euro.

Breathing life back to Faneromeni - Paula Manoli-Gray

Last week's news that the old leper colony of Agios Charalambous along Faneromeni Street will become a University of Cyprus campus is most exciting! Granted, it will take years to become a reality – two years before construction is started, then however long it takes to complete it – but imagining the area full of life is wonderful.

My parents live in a street off of Faneromeni and close to the colony. As such, I spent my youth in the area and vividly remember it in its heyday. Like Dhekelia Road at the time, Faneromeni was a thriving street and its selection of shops made it almost unnecessary to head into town for shopping. From fruit to shoes, and gifts to haberdashery, Faneromeni had it all.

But like its then-popular cousin, Dhekelia Road, the last decade has seen a steady decline. To the unfamiliar eye, the street appears to be doing okay with a wide mix of establishments, and seems busy enough, but the residents of the area know it's not what it used to be.

The prospect of new life that the university will bring has so excited some in the area, that they are already planning on turning their properties into student digs, and a big name developer with a strong presence in neighbouring Drosia is also readying itself for the big day. For the struggling shops along the street, holding out and struggling for a few more years until the big cash cow comes to town offers a ray of hope. Imagine cafes, restaurants, shops and services all filled with young adults… If the street plays its cards right with its choice of establishments geared towards the youth, it may very well end up giving other popular areas of the town a run for their money.

As for the leper colony, I have to admit it always appeared creepy to me. Logically, I know that it is nothing sinister, but as a child, the stories were of residents that looked like zombies with body parts missing and misshapen features. We would never dare approach it, and it took me many years to finally pluck up the courage to drive through and have a look. What I found was a quaint and peaceful little community of small houses and a church. There were a couple of old ladies sat outside on chairs - nothing sinister at all, but my childhood impressions will always remain with me.

I don't think there is anyone left now, or if there is, it is only a handful of very elderly patients, but I do wonder what will happen to the church when it becomes a university. The church was moved to the colony brick by brick from the old colony in Nicosia and rebuilt by the residents themselves in 1955, as such, it is a piece of the town's history. I hope it is treated with respect and incorporated into the campus.

And of course, the university development comes with a national park for the adjacent salt lake, which is also fabulous news, although the combination of boisterous, carefree students and a protected natural area isn't one that really marries well on paper! I just hope that there is enough along the regenerated Faneromeni street to keep the young 'uns occupied and merry, and that we won't regret putting a university next to one of our loveliest beauty spots.

Internationally renowned speaker to hold Larnaca workshop

Dr Brenda Davies to give talk on parenting

Internationally renowned speaker, healer, consultant and psychiatrist Dr Brenda Davies will be holding a parenting workshop on Saturday, November 22 at Apothikes - an event that is supported by the Larnaca Parents Network (LPN).

During two three-hour sessions (at 10am and 2pm), Dr Davies will speak on the challenges that raising children brings, answer questions and open the floor to discussion. Topics include "negotiating various stages of childhood and adolescence, dealing with sibling rivalries, peer pressures, substance abuse, childhood depression and just trying to understand our child who is now becoming an independent being."

Born in the UK, but now based in Zambia, Dr Davies is the author of seven books and a variety of CDs and DVDs. She is the founder and teacher of an international healing and self-development school with a presence in eight countries, and teaches on topics varying from energy medicine and spiritual approaches to issues such as addictions, adolescence, sexuality, prosperity, co-dependence and suicide. Her method combines allopathic medicine with spiritual approaches, and she is also a mentor and medium. As a mentor, she helps people through 'career or crisis', and is also active in conflict resolution and peace building, whilst as a medium she is called upon to assist in soul rescue work, as well as teaching Past Life Therapy.

With a family of her own – including an extended Zambian one, Dr Davies is well versed in raising children: "As a mother of two, grandmother of three and also a great-grandmother, I know well the possible pitfalls we can fall into.  I've also raised many orphans here on my farm in Zambia, and of course, children who have been so traumatised bring with them a unique set of challenges for themselves and anyone involved in helping them grow to adulthood. I also have in my family several wonderful young people including grandchildren, who have been adopted, who then demand even more understanding of their particular issues.

"One of the most helpful things we can do is to just be there for our children.  Recently some top athletes were asked what was the most helpful thing their parents ever said to them.  It was simply 'they said they loved to watch me doing what I do'. Often it's a simple as that."

Whilst she originally studied to become a physician, Dr Davies says her healing gifts have led her on a path of helping others around the world: "I love my life and people in general and an honoured to share whatever gifts I have. My aim is always to help support others as they become the best that they can be; I am honoured to stand by, to guide and to aid healing while people find themselves once more able to stand up and, in doing so, discover their greatness."

Dr Davies has a long-standing relationship with Cyprus: "I first came to Cyprus in 1987 to visit the family of my partner who was born in Famagusta, brought up to some extent in Paphos and then in the UK. So, I have been a frequent visitor and always wanted to come and do some of the work here that I do elsewhere in the world involving healing ourselves and coming to peace within and with family, community and the world. I was thrilled to be invited to do that three years ago and am very much looking forward to being in Cyprus next week and being in even more cities this time."

Her previous workshops in Cyprus have included bi-communal work with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. This time she will be in Cyprus until November 29, during which time she will hold a variety of workshops across the island with different topics, all under the umbrella of 'healing our relationships'. Whilst Dr Davies gives her talks in English, she has Greek and Turkish translators to assist.

Participation in the Larnaca workshop is €30 per person, and reservations can be made by contacting Hatzy: 99667039 / Sue: 99622504.

First appeared in The Cyprus Weekly 14/11/14

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