PSI Foundation organises a lecture by the archaeologist Yiannis Violaris as part of the parallel programme accompanying the exhibition TEKTON., titled “Colonising” the Colonised: “The Fantastic Years” of the Swedish Cyprus Expedition (1927–1931).

The Swedish Cyprus Expedition (1927–1931) is often hailed as a cornerstone of Cypriot archaeology—its scientific methods and detailed publications shaped the field for decades. But behind this legacy lies a more complex story.

In this lecture, Archaeological Officer Yiannis Violaris critically re-examines the expedition’s work through the lens of colonial politics. How did the Swedes secure thousands of Cypriot antiquities? What role did British colonial authorities play? And how did the expedition shape Western perceptions of Cypriot heritage?

Combining archaeological insight with historical analysis, this talk sheds light on the intertwined dynamics of science, empire, and cultural identity in early 20th-century Cyprus.

Yiannis Violaris

Yiannis Violaris is an archaeological officer at the Department of Antiquities, Cyprus, based at the Limassol District Museum. He holds degrees in Economics, Archaeology, and Art History, and his responsibilities include directing excavations, curating exhibitions, and managing the archaeological site of Amathus. His research spans from ancient Amathus to Byzantine and medieval topography, Cypriot pottery, and the history of archaeology in Cyprus and Greece. He has also explored the intersections between archaeology and contemporary art and literature, curating exhibitions that bring antiquity into dialogue with modern creativity.

PSI Foundation

The PSI Foundation was established in Limassol in 2024 as a non-profit cultural organization with a mission to support contemporary art in dialogue with technology. Committed to the preservation and adaptive reuse of the historic Carob Warehouse, the Foundation is currently hosting the exhibition Tekton Technical Bureau and Modernism in Limassol that celebrates the legacy of Cypriot Modernism through the presentation of the pioneering work of engineer Andreas Papadopoulos and architect Phoebus Polydorides. The exhibition is free to the public and will run until the end of July. 

The lecture will be delivered in English, participation is free to the public upon reservation at [email protected]

For more information

PSI Foundation: [email protected] | 94206627 | @psi.foundation | psi.art

Synergatismou 27, Limassol 3010, Cyprus