The talented Cypriot set designer and painter Kostas Kaykaridis has died, leaving behind a rich legacy in Cypriot theater.
Kostas Kaykaridis was born in Nicosia in 1945. He studied set design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Sofia. He worked closely with the Theatrical Organization of Cyprus (THOC), creating sets and costumes for many performances. He also helped establish the New Theater, founded by his brother Vladimiros Kaykaridis, and collaborated with various theater groups. He played a key role in setting up the Vladimiros Kaykaridis Cultural Center and founding Cyprus’s first recognized tertiary theater school.
Kostas is known as a pioneer in bringing together Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in theater. His work with the Satirical Theater and the Turkish Cypriot Theater of Nicosia was especially important, promoting unity and cultural exchange through joint productions.
This famous set designer bravely served as a reserve officer during the Turkish invasion. He remained a strong advocate for resolution and reunification until his passing. He often wrote articles for newspapers and published the book “Kostas Kaykaridis: 50 Years of Set Design”. For many years, he taught art and technical drawing in secondary schools, wrote school books, and co-published the magazine Epi Skinis.
Beyond set design, he painted and taught art in secondary schools, sharing his passion for creativity with new generations. His passing leaves a big gap in the arts community, as his work has greatly influenced the look and feel of many theatrical productions in Cyprus.
