THE MUNICIPALITY OF PARALIMNI - DERYNIA
PROTARAS RIVIERA
This was a ride, really.
I was very hesitant at the beginning because my initial image of the area wasn’t what I got to see through this project. I saw it as a place of fast tourism, empty winters, fast money, no culture. But the place proved me wrong. It showed me beauty, depth, character, and a side of the region I had completely overlooked.
I came out of it having met a lot of people, seeing an area I thought I knew far more deeply, and becoming part of something that feels like it’s genuinely taking shape. Or maybe more accurately, reshaping something that already existed, but needed to be seen differently, even by me.
Most importantly, I walked away with a new friend and hopefully a long term collaborator, Nikolas Petrou.
This project is part of the broader effort to redefine the identity of the Paralimni area. The goal is to move beyond it’s association with fast seasonal tourism and instead highlight its culture, heritage, landscapes, and long term potential.
For me and Nikolas, this was a real challenge.
How do you shift perception?
How do you photograph a place in a way that feels more honest and lasting?
There was also the challenge of time.
We were working toward a major presentation on May 19th while dealing with one of the strangest spring seasons Cyprus has had in years. Heavy rains, dust in the atmosphere, constantly shifting conditions. Total chaos. Nothing could be planned.
We were working toward a major presentation on May 19th while dealing with one of the strangest spring seasons Cyprus has had in years. Heavy rains, dust in the atmosphere, constantly shifting conditions. Total chaos. Nothing could be planned.
There was no waiting. We worked with what we had. Adjusted, adapted, kept moving. Not everything held but thankfully… enough did.
What we created for Phase 1 is not final or complete, but it’s a foundation. Something to stand on, and hopefully something that helps guide what comes next.
Yesterday, on the 19th of May 2026, the first presentation took place at the Paralimni Municipality, attended by ambassadors, officials, institutions, and President Nikos Christodoulides himself.
Before the presentation, I spoke a bit with Peter Economides about the work, the area, and the future of the project. I told him I hoped all of this would truly move forward.
He looked at me and said:
“This is the beginning of a 10 year project. Our job is to inspire people to action. And you guys pulled it off.”
A beautiful thing to hear after months of uncertainty and chaos.
Ultimately, I hope these images help guide how this reimagining evolves. Not just through tourism, but through how locals see their own land first… and then how tourism learns to move within it.
I’m not going to say this is the “Protaras Riviera” today. And I’m not going to say this is exactly what it will become either.
But I will say this, all you see here already exists. We just need to help it flourish.
p.s a big thank you to Stef who was our assistant and mental support during this project
