Cyprus: Final Tastynation - a humorous gastro adventure book

A tour through Cypriot culture, history and traditions

“You may find this book in the cookbook section. Big mistake. Huge. For this, my darling reader, is not a cookbook. This is a Cypriot tale about kings, harems, mermaids, cursed statues and rubber duckies. I’m serious, it’s all in there and it is based on true and tru-ish stories. Oh and there is a bunch of recipes in there too, just for good measure”. This is how the author of the book, "Cyprus: Final Tastynation", Artemis Evagorou describes her book.

I had the pleasure to be present at one of her book readings in Nicosia, and I was pleasantly surprised on how she puts words together to describe ingredients, flavors, taste, tradition, history, fantasy and everyday stories all mixed so nicely together. 

If I had to explain what “Cyprus: Final Tastynation” is, I would say a sweet, amusing, educational book that can be read again and again from all generations, both in Cypriot dialect and in English. But we better leave the author explain a few things about her book. Cyprus Alive met Artemis Evagorou over a tea and some homemade delicious cake.... 

What triggered the writing of the book?
I don’t think it was just one thing that lead me to write this book. It was a collection of thoughts and experiences ‘gathered’ throughout the years, which in turn had planted tiny seeds all over my mind. Some of the strongest ‘seeds’ were the sense of dissatisfaction with Cypriot souvenirs. Examining souvenirs through a sociological and anthropological lens, one can come to very powerful conclusions about peoples’ self-image, self-respect and what they are trying to communicate to other people. Perhaps I gave this much more weight than necessary, but the fact remains that I did not like the conclusions I came to when I examined this issue. The same goes with our general promotion of the island. We are stuck on phrases, images and ideals that are simply not there anymore, or simply they never were to begin with. Also you know what? I am sick and tired of this extreme seriousness. Things don't need to be serious to be valid, people take, themselves and life too seriously. Relax, laugh a little, it’s good for the soul. Lastly, having worked at the Popular Bank Cultural Centre for two years, I have been very fortunate to come across with so much history, stories, photographs about Cyprus and it was so interesting that I was dying to share this information with as many people as possible. 

What prompted you to write the book in the Cypriot dialect?
I began writing it in English. It was a book meant solely to be sold abroad. It was supposed to be my own contribution towards the island’s promotion. As I began writing however, some stories just needed to be written in Cypriot, I just couldn’t help it; they had a life of their own. So I began writing both in English and in the Cypriot dialect. Some stories were born in English and others in Cypriot, and then they were immediately translated.

What was the acceptance of the book so far?
Oh God, I could never imagine the book would get so much love. People embraced it and I am so grateful for that. 

Where can we find the book? 
In several known bookshops, little art shops like Artnaldas Concept Store, Faneromenis 70 and Krama Jewellery Designs. One could always get a copy directly from me, with a fun inscription inside.