Dialogos

Mourning in the Artistic World: Kostas Kavkaridis Passes Away

Published January 21, 2026, 13:00
Mourning in the Artistic World: Kostas Kavkaridis Passes Away

Cypriot set designer and art professor Kostas Kavkaridis passed away on January 20, 2026, at the age of 80. Born in Pallouriotissa in 1945, he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Sofia after serving in Omonia and completing his military service. Returning to Cyprus in 1972, he collaborated with the Cyprus Theatre Organisation and later co-founded the Neos Theatro Vladimiros Kavkaridis and the Satiriko Theatre with his brother, Vladimir. Kavkaridis was distinguished for his pioneering work, such as the productions of "The Hostages" and "A Tale Without a Name", and his contribution to theatrical cooperation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, particularly through the Satiriko Theatre and the Nicosia Turkish Theatre. He was a staunch supporter of the reunification of Cyprus and fought heroically during the Turkish invasion. In addition to his theatrical career, Kavkaridis was the author of the book "Kostas Kavkaridis: 50 Years of Set Design" and frequently wrote articles for newspapers. He also served for decades as an art teacher in secondary education and authored school textbooks. He was a co-publisher of the journal "Epi Skini". Kavkaridis is survived by his wife, Panagiota Koukkoulli-Kavkaridis, two sons, Charalambos and Haris, and two grandchildren, Konstantina and Panos. His family and the artistic community of Cyprus remember him for his generosity, kindness, and gentle smile.