The young artisan Konstantina Achilleos has brought this traditional art form back into the spotlight
In recent years, the community of Foinios has been making an extraordinary effort to preserve and safeguard the art of Foinios tsara. Young people who have consciously chosen to settle in the village are reviving the traditional art of repairing and crafting this tsara. Konstantina Achilleos, who specializes in the “Cypriot Foinotiki tsara,” opened the doors of her workshop to us and spoke about the history behind it, its secrets, and her own craftsmanship.
The young artisan Konstantina Achilleos and her team study, document, and revive this traditional art through various initiatives. An art form that has stood the test of time but, unfortunately, has begun to fade. This is a cultural initiative that is part of the Dio Dio Handicraft Collective project.
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The Legacy of Handicrafts
“Foiní was known for its arts, such as pottery, tsáeres, and loukoumi,” says Konstantina Achilleos, explaining that she and her team were particularly interested in the heritage of handicrafts. “We felt there was a need to study and, in some way, revive the art of the chaera. Because even though it’s a traditional art, it embodies many contemporary values—ecological sustainability, as well as social and cultural sustainability—which are modern and important issues.”
There is a great diversity of tsara in Cyprus, explains Konstantina, though the Foiniki style has its own distinctive characteristics.
“Its legs and backrest are made of antrouklia wood. And the crossbars—that is, the crosspieces—are made of latsia, the national tree of Cyprus,” says Konstantina. Differences can also be seen in the design and style of the chair.
Selecting the Wood
They choose to follow the traditional method step by step—from selecting the wood to processing it, just as our ancestors did. They source their wood from local forests, mainly in the winter, always with permission from the Forestry Department.
But how easy is such a process? “The hardest part for a craftsman today is selecting the material because, in the forest, you have to find pieces of wood in the shape and size you need, and then you won’t be able to process it much. You won’t process it with machines; you won’t bend it. The main tool in their work is the well-known ‘sieparni.’
Restoring their grandparents’ objects
Konstantina Achilleos explains that there’s still interest. “It seems that the ‘toneni tsara’ is an object that matters to people.” At the same time, she notes that people enjoy making items that belonged to their grandparents or parents, while also wanting to learn the craft.
Their love for handicrafts and culture also led them to create an entirely handmade book, using traditional techniques, dedicated to the Foiniki tsara. The book’s goal is both to document this art form and to make it accessible to anyone interested, while also allowing readers to learn about the Foiniki tsara. It’s worth noting that the bulk of the book consists of a beautiful story written by Angela Stavrou, and the illustrations are engravings that provide insights into both the craft and the culture surrounding the tea pot.
Research on Chair-Making in Troodos
The research and study by “Dyo Dyo Collective” does not stop at the Foiniki Tsara, but evolves and expands to document the art of chair-making in the wider Troodos region.
Knowledge that for years existed only orally is now being put to paper, ensuring the continuation of this art and its history for future generations.
They continue to seek out and collect information through the stories, memories, and experiences of residents and expatriates from the region.
From Cyprus to Japan: The History of the Cypriot Tsara
Last August, members of the research team traveled to distant Japan. Carrying a tsara and related woodcut artworks in their luggage, they successfully conducted an educational workshop on tsara-making for locals. They shared the secrets of Cypriot mountain chair-making with the Japanese and fostered cultural connections.
Wishing to share the knowledge they have acquired with other enthusiasts of tradition and handicrafts, they are holding workshops on the art of Foinika-style tsara. The collective’s fall events will be announced on the diodiohandmade social media pages. The public will also have the opportunity to meet them at the wine festival in Limassol and the apple festival in Kyperounta.
