Spotlight on: Little Cyprus

This week Jessica Lambert takes a look at London’s vibrant Greek Cypriot community
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Jessica Lambert25 October 2012

Size: Roughly 200,000-250,000 according to the London Cypriot Embassy.

Age: Close to a century. Greek Cypriots started emigrating here in the Twenties and Thirties, after Cyprus was declared a British Crown Colony in 1925.

I didn’t know we owned Cyprus!

We don’t. Cyprus was given back its independence in 1960. And our colonial past is nothing to be proud of.

Don’t worry, I’m suitably racked with post-imperial guilt. So where are London’s Greek Cypriots to be found these days?

All over — Haringey, Camberwell, Enfield and Southgate. Palmer’s Green has such a strong local community that the area is also known as Palmer’s Greek.

That’s not a very witty renaming.

You’re just sulking because you don’t have an empire.

No, it’s because I’m hungry.

Sounds like the perfect excuse to go check out one of London’s fabulous Greek Cyprian restaurants.

Where would you recommend?

Head to Primrose Hill’s Lemonia for tasty grilled tuna or Bounds Green’s Vrisaki, a lively tavern which does great beef stifado.

That does sound jolly. Is the drink as good as the food?

Naturally — although if you really want to stock up on some Dionysian spirits, you should wait till next summer and then head up to Alexandra Palace for the annual Parikiaki Cyprus Wine Festival. It’s the city’s biggest celebration of Cyprian food and culture.

But it’s autumn now! What am I supposed to do for the next nine months?

You could always curl up in an armchair and listen to London Greek Radio (103.3FM). It’s been going for more than 20 years and claims to be the only radio station in Europe to broadcast in both Greek and English 24/7.

At the same time?

I assume not, that would be ridiculous. Look, if you find the idea confusing, why don’t you just pick up a copy of Parikiaki, London’s leading Greek Cypriot newspaper? It comes out every Thursday.

Will it tell me the gossip on all of London’s GC celebrities?

You can find that in the regular gossip mags — Peter Andre, George Michael and X Factor’s Tulisa all come from Greek Cypriot families.

I wish I hadn’t asked. Forget the celebs, where can I go to party?

I’m glad you asked. Our favourite GC radio station is hosting a “Greeky Friday” Halloween party at Southgate’s Maze Inn bar on November 2.

I’m going to come dressed as the ghost of empires past.

If you do I will personally spill houmus on you.

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