From the beginning, I wanted this book to move away from the usual images of Cyprus, the postcard clichés of sun and sea or the endless retelling of conquerors and wars. Instead, my aim was to share something more personal: a view of the island shaped by love, respect, and awe. For me, these landscapes are not just scenery; they are places of connection.

The photographs in the book are not quick captures. They are the outcome of returning again and again to places, watching them change with the seasons, and slowly shaping an image that feels true to them. From the coastlines and salt lakes to the mountains, ruins, and quiet valleys, these landscapes hold a deep part of who I am, and through this book I wanted to share that connection.

Alongside the images, I have included personal notes, as well as historical and environmental stories that offer insight not only into who I am as a photographer, but also into the knowledge my wife and I have gathered over the years of exploring the island together. The title Aspelia Naturalis comes from the old Roman name for Cyprus, “Aspelia,” mentioned by Pliny in his Naturalis Historia. For me, using this title was a way to tie the island’s past to the present and to reflect on how nature has always been at the heart of its identity.

The book also carries a clear environmental message. I worked on it together with BirdLife Cyprus and the Cyprus Environment Foundation, and the final text was written by my late friend and mentor, Dr. Martin Hellicar, one of Cyprus’s leading conservationists. His words are a reminder that without balance between people and nature, the beauty we take for granted today could so easily disappear.

A special part of the book is the inclusion of my black-and-white series This is Your Cyprus. Although it was originally a separate project, I eventually absorbed it into Aspelia Naturalis. The series brings a raw, timeless counterpoint to the landscapes, and its recognition abroad gave me the initial confidence that Cyprus has stories and images worth sharing with the world.

Since its launch, Aspelia Naturalis has grown into more than just a book. It has sparked exhibitions, talks, and gatherings that brought people together around Cyprus’s landscapes and heritage. For me, that has been the most rewarding part, that the project keeps creating conversations and memories beyond its pages.

For me, Aspelia Naturalis is an invitation. It’s about slowing down, stepping outside of familiar patterns, and seeing Cyprus with fresh eyes. It’s my way of connecting memory, place, and possibility, and of opening a door to the island’s beauty for anyone willing to look a little closer.

“For more than a decade, I've been blessed with the opportunity to witness countless sunrises and sunsets. Along the way, I've felt the thrill of triumph and the sting of disappointment as I tried to capture my surroundings. Through my explorations, I've formed connections that I wouldn’t have formed, had I not taken this path. In many ways, these past years have felt like a lifetime of experiences condensed into a single chapter of my life.”

— Silvio A. Rusmigo, from the introduction to Aspelia Naturalis