Moikanes. A Photo Exhibition by Nicholas Louka

On July 3, Serena Beach in Protaras will host a one-day photo exhibition titled “Moikanes” by Cypriot artist and photographer Nicholas Louka.

The exhibition is dedicated to an unusual tradition among young men from villages in the Kokkinochoria region (Famagusta district), who, before beginning their mandatory military service, create spectacular mohawks, turning their preparation for the army into a true ritual.

For several months, the young men deliberately grow out their hair, and then gather with friends to create complex and unusual hairstyles. They use the most unexpected materials for styling—glue, reeds, ropes, and other improvised items. The process itself takes six to eight hours and takes place in garages, sheds, or makeshift workshops, where friends help each other complete the look.

According to the exhibition’s organizers, this tradition originated in the 1980s and has been passed down from generation to generation. For many participants, it symbolizes the transition from carefree youth to a new stage of life—service in the National Guard.

Photographer Nicholas Luca views these unusual hairstyles as a kind of “ephemeral sculpture on the body”—vibrant artistic images created for only a short time. They are photographed as a keepsake, and then the hair is completely shaved off before military service begins.

The exhibition will be open on July 3 from 12:00 p.m. to midnight and will conclude with an evening party on the beach.