By Giorgos Tzivas
Grandmother’s cupboard
On July 20, 1969, when humanity set foot on the moon, I was left in awe. How, I wondered, was it possible to walk on another celestial bodytz?
I marvelled at the fact. July 20 was etched so deeply in my memory that I thought nothing else could ever overshadow it. I took my grandmother’s cupboard and turned it into a lunar spaceship. I transformed the entire room into a dark “universe” … I decorated it with silver stars and locked myself inside the cupboard, playing the role of Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon, who said the phrase we still often hear today: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
That phrase marked me, and from then on, I swore that whatever I pursued would be one small step for man, but one giant leap for me…
Youthful exaggerations? Why not. I devoted myself to the study of space. Incredible fascination and excitement…
But life has a strange way of unfolding. Five years later, on another July 20, this time in 1974, Turkish forces landed in Cyprus, and I was left hanging between the craters of the Moon and the harsh reality on Earth. I stepped aside and turned my attention to the situation in Cyprus. From ’74 until today, not much has changed. Only memory resists.
Entering the Cyprus Planetarium in 2023, I remembered my grandmother’s cupboard. Now, a state-of-the-art Planetarium adorned the whole of Cyprus. The best in the Middle East. A thousand times better than any dream of mine.
I remember more things happened… but those are for another time.
Two years of the Cyprus Planetarium in Tamasos, and the impressive project continues to grow. Everywhere you look, you see changes that create a sense of optimism, that everything is moving steadily and surely toward making the Cyprus Planetarium the best in the Mediterranean!
A few days ago, I visited the Cyprus Planetarium in Tamasos for an interview with its Director, Christos Triantafyllidis.
At that very moment, he happened to be giving a tour to a delegation from Top Kinisis, regarding conferences and astro-tourism. Indeed, the impressive venue and its services create the feeling of another world, ready to host bold events and initiatives. He guided us through the renovated areas of the Planetarium
Activities are being enhanced, services upgraded, and are ready for further expansion. New applications enrich the program. It is clear that the shortcomings of the past are being replaced with modern alternatives. Highlights include a gyroscope that spins visitors 360 degrees like real astronauts, 3D printers producing rocket models and astronaut miniatures, and even an outdoor park featuring dinosaurs designed to spark children’s imagination; a laboratory with five amazing printers; a mirror with an AI camera; an upgraded virtual reality room, and much more. The restaurant and the gift shop are also renovated, filled with space-themed toys.
Let me put it as I saw it: a major change for the better!
Christos welcomed me with the same enthusiasm that has carried the project from dream to reality.
“It’s truly moving to see the Cyprus Planetarium grow and become a point of reference for science and education,” he said, reflecting on the journey so far. “These two years have been full of challenges, but also wonderful moments.”
Triantafyllidis likens this stage of the Planetarium’s life to adolescence. “I’d say we’ve moved from childhood into adolescence,” he explained. “There’s maturity in our actions, better organization, stable partnerships, and a constant drive for progress. But adulthood in science never ends, there is always something new to learn and to offer.”
Cyprus, he noted, has nothing quite like it. “In terms of infrastructure and visitor experience, no, there is nothing similar. The Cyprus Planetarium is unique, not only because of its technological equipment but also because of the multidimensional experience it offers.”
Building bridges in science and education
That experience unfolds across more than 1,200 square meters of facilities, which include the projection dome, interactive spaces, laboratory classrooms, exhibition areas, and educational halls. Visitors can immerse themselves in dome projections, take part in interactive physics and astronomy workshops, explore augmented reality applications, and engage with exhibits on space, planets, and the history of the Universe.
One of the highlights is an expansive projection dedicated to the Sun, created in collaboration with Frederick University’s Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. “It presents solar energy, solar radiation, and phenomena such as solar storms and their interaction with Earth’s magnetosphere,” Triantafyllidis explained.
Collaboration, in fact, is a cornerstone of the Planetarium’s philosophy. “We have built a network of partnerships both nationally and internationally,” he said. In Cyprus, these include public and private universities such as Frederick University, as well as scientific and cultural centres. Internationally, the Planetarium participates in European programs and maintains ties with planetariums and institutions abroad, enabling knowledge exchange and the joint organization of activities and exhibitions.
Schools make up a significant share of the visitor base. “The ages of 9–14 are perhaps the most expressive, full of curiosity and enthusiasm,” Triantafyllidis observed. “But both younger and older visitors always find something that impresses them.”
Looking to the future, he shared plans for an ambitious nationwide astronomy competition titled “Space for Earth: Innovation for a Sustainable Future.” The initiative, built on the STEAM philosophy, will invite students and university participants to draw inspiration from space technologies and discoveries to propose practical solutions for life on Earth.
“Our goal is to show that space is not only a means of exploration but also a platform for innovation to benefit life on Earth,” he said. “There will be age categories, interdisciplinary challenges, and opportunities for practical applications, presentations, and exhibitions of the best projects. We want astronomy to become a tool of inspiration and creativity.”
Two years on, the Cyprus Planetarium is not just a space to gaze at the stars, but also a launchpad for new ideas, partnerships, and generations of curious minds.
