January 28 th, 2014 Interview with Loukas Ioannou: On the 28 th of January we visited Kalopanagiotis village to meet with Loukas, who is a current student in a university in Nicosia, and also setting up his own business, a traditional café-bar. It was a surprise for us to hear that someone in our age decided to start his own traditional business in a village, that’s why we approached Loukas. Stephanie Nikolaou Elena Demetriou

 Why did you decide to go back to the place that you were born and start your own business?  “This idea appeal two years ago, when I got realized that I have to find a job. While I was reading a newspaper, I saw an article that was referring to youth entrepreneurship. I wanted to do something in Kalopanagiotis, not only because it is my village, but because I had the need to support and expand the name and tradition of my village. ”  Tell us more about your idea  “As I told you before I had this idea two years ago. When I realized that it wasn’t just an idea I started to get things more seriously and get some important decisions for my future. I did my research regarding the youth entrepreneurship in general. I found out that Europe offers some funds for youth entrepreneurship. In order to get these funds I have to prepare my paper works, do a business plan and fill in some forms. For the past six months I do try to work this out among with the building of my traditional café-bar. ”

 What was your motivation? (makes you come back) “That was a funny story actually. I was at the church yard and I was talking to some of my neighbors. We were talking about the village’s future and its development during the last years. At one point I was just listening. After a while someone ask a question and everyone stared at me…” What was the question: “It was something specific, but for me it was enough to understand what I wanted to do for my village. They asked about how I see the future in the village and what I am going to do with the traditional sweet that my family runs at the moment. ” Photo by Eliza Kozakou

Interview with Koulla Ioannou owner of the “Soutzoukos Marathasas”  When was the establishment of your company? “Somewhere between We don’t know the exact year, because many labels were destroyed after the war. ”  Who had the idea? “My grandmother wanted to find a way to earn some money to survive. At that point the village was very famous for its festivals. And my grandmother decided to start this traditional sweet to sell to festivals and earn money. ” Photo by Eliza Kozakou Stephanie Nikolaou Elena Demetriou

 When did u start run the business? “After my grandmother died I 2003, the industry passed at me and my husband. We decided to develop our company. We also bought more machines to help with the production.  Did the crisis influence the business and how do you see the 2015 market? “Our product was not affected by the crisis, thanks to European funds which help us grow the industry and it still does.”  If it wasn’t a family tradition, would you think about starting a company like this? “No I wouldn’t, although we had the need to continue this family tradition and pass it from generation to generation.” Photo by Eliza Kozakou