The ATHENS PRINTMAKING CENTER – PANDOLFINI & SIATERLI invites you on Saturday, February 28, from 12:00 to 14:00, at ETCH INK art space for a special event dedicated to the work of the renowned Cypriot printmaker Hambis Tsangaris. The presentation will focus on two new, enriched editions of the artist’s books: Kalikangiari – Skalapoundari of Cyprus” (2025) and “Spanos and the Forty Dragons” (4th Edition, 2025). These works are the outcome of years of research and a profound devotion to Cypriot tradition. Visitors will have the opportunity to gain deep insight into the traditional Cypriot themes that inspire the artist’s work, explore the secrets of printmaking, and discover the vibrant connection between contemporary art and the cultural heritage of Cyprus.

“Kalikangiari – Skalapoundari of Cyprus” (2025) is a lavishly illustrated 170-page volume that serves as the culmination of the artist’s previous award-winning editions. The edition features nine stories in the Cypriot dialect, accompanied by translations into both Modern Greek and English. It is the result of five years of field research, during which the artist traveled across Cyprus interviewing dozens of elderly compatriots with the aim of collecting stories, myths, and oral traditions about the kalikangiari (Cypriot goblins). Through his evocative illustrations, Hambis sought to safeguard the authentic identity of the Cypriot goblin before it was eclipsed by foreign influences that began to dominate the cultural landscape at the turn of the 21st century. The book is further enriched by extensive photographic documentation of the international journey of Hambis’s kalikangiari around the globe.

The fourth edition of “Spanos and the Forty Dragons” stands as the most comprehensive version to date of the classic folktale originally preserved by folklorist Nearchos Clerides. This new edition features black-and-white sketches and alongside vibrant color drawings of Hambis Tsangaris, combining linocuts with the original engraved plates of the tale. The edition is further enriched by extensive photographic documentation detailing the intricate engraving process. As the artist notes, this fourth edition is a heartfelt tribute to his wounded homeland, utilizing the symbolism of the myth to express a profound yearning for freedom and the hope for better days.

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Publication Credits
Both editions were printed in Athens by G. Kostopoulos Graphic Arts.

Publication, text, Illustrations, Design/Layout: Hambis Tsangaris
English Translation: Dr Magdalena Zira
Greek Translation & Editing: Niki Papaxenophontos
Editorial Supervision: Theodoros Kakoullis

Event Information:
Saturday, February 28, 12:00 – 14:00

ETCH INK art space
16 Argyroupoleos St., Lycabettus, 114 71, Athens

Contact: [email protected] | www.athens-printmaking.com