Zivania Distillation

«Learn a craft and set it aside, and if you go hungry, grab it» says this proverb, which carries the wisdom of folk tradition. It urges us to learn a craft, develop skills and acquire an asset in life, even if we do not need it immediately. If things do not turn out as we planned at some point, a craft may offer the solution and get us out of a difficult situation. The residents of the villages along the “Heartland of Legends” route were mainly farmers or shepherds, but they also knew a craft. They had to be creative and versatile to supplement their income in hard times. A craft was always useful!

Men and women learned to make objects that were both useful and beautiful. Crafts such as basketry, icon painting, silver and goldsmithing, wood carving, pottery and ceramics, mosaic, embroidery, winemaking, the production of the famous Cypriot koumandaria and many others provided rural residents with additional income. All these crafts today form part of Cyprus's Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the Deputy Ministry of Tourism has developed a plan that gives visitors and locals the opportunity to take part in hands-on workshops. There, they will have the chance to get up close to the traditional crafts of the Cypriot countryside or even learn contemporary forms of handicraft, where the modern blends harmoniously with the traditional.

Craft and food and wine workshops take place in many villages along the “Heartland of Legends” route. Feel the clay slip between your fingers as you shape clay objects, learn how to use the chisel to carve your own wooden piece, pick up a needle and thread to create Lefkaritika embroidery, sit at a loom to weave Fythkiotika fabrics, and finally feel the joy of creating with your own hands. Discover new experiences along the “Heartland of Legends” route.

ALL WORKSHOPS ARE FREE

Discover all the available hands-on workshops, which take place from May to November 2026 and are open to visitors on Wednesdays, weekends and public holidays. Booking is required for participation, so contact the respective organiser directly in advance. Workshops also take place in the Christmas villages during the festive period.

Make the most of your visit to all these villages. Visit the local attractions, Byzantine churches and agricultural museums, walk the nature trails, sit in the village coffee house and have a coffee with the locals, and feel the pulse of tradition.

The artisans of "Heartland of Legends" are waiting to share with you authentic traditional flavors, forgotten customs and activities that keep the soul of our place alive. Discover new experiences and enrich your holidays with authentic Cypriot tradition and culture.

• Please note that the organizers of the workshops are implementing all health measures to protect public health.

• The Deputy Ministry of Tourism invites all interested parties to contact the organizers directly for any further information regarding the workshops.