Star of the Parthenon, Cypriot mélange: education and representation in colonial Cyprus

Given, M. (1997) Star of the Parthenon, Cypriot mélange: education and representation in colonial Cyprus. Journal of Mediterranean Studies, 7, pp. 59-82.

Abstract

This article examines Greek Cypriot and colonial British school architecture in Cyprus during the British colonial period (1878-1960). When seen in their educational and political context, these school buildings can be seen as opposing representations of nationalist and imperialist ideologies. An introduction on representation in writing history is followed by a theoretical and comparative discussion of colonial and nationalist education policies and the use of architecture to construct and display political ideology. After some historical background on education policies in colonial Cyprus, the two main sections of the article discuss the classicizing Hellenic school architecture built by the Greek Cypriots ('Star of the Parthenon'), and the dehellenized pseudo-vernacular school buildings favoured by the British ('Cypriot melange'). By investigating the social and political context of the people designing and using these school buildings, this article demonstrates the dynamic and highly emotive links that connect architecture, education and political ideology.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Colonial architecture, Cyprus, school architecture, British colonialism, nationalism.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Given, Dr Michael
• Authors: Given, M.
• Subjects: D History General and Old World > DE The Mediterranean Region. The Greco-Roman World
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Archaeology
• Journal Name: Journal of Mediterranean Studies
• Publisher: Mediterranean Institute, University of Malta
• ISSN: 1016-3476