Hambis Tsangaris
Also known simply as ‘Hambis o Haraktis’ (Hambis the printmaker)
About Hambis
Hambis was born in Kontea in 1947. He received his first lessons in printmaking from the engraver A. Tassos in Athens in 1971. He studied Graphic Arts at the Surikov Institute in Moscow from 1976 to 1982.
He has devoted his entire artistic life to printmaking, creating woodcuts, lithographs, etchings, but especially linocuts and silkscreens. Almost his entire body of work expresses his deep love for Cyprus. His works, closely tied to his own experiences as a refugee and to his homeland, depict the “calamities of war” and the sorrow of displaced people. He also presents landscapes, traditional architectural elements, ancient art, and the folk culture of Cyprus. A large part of his work consists of illustrations of Cypriot folk tales and traditions.
Milestones in Hambis’ journey
1971: Printmaking lessons in Athens from A. Tassos.
1982: Graduate of the Surikov Institute in Moscow, Department of Graphic Arts.
In 1971, Hambis participated in the initiative “Art to the People,” alongside other Cypriot artists, organizing exhibitions and cultural events in villages, expressing his belief that art belongs to everyone. He emphasizes the importance of tradition and cultural roots as a Foundation.
His dedication to sharing knowledge is evident in the free printmaking lessons he began in memory of his teacher, Tassos Alevizos.
In August 1995, he transformed a ruined house in the Turkish Cypriot village of Platanisteia into a vibrant printmaking school. These workshops evolved into a “celebration of knowledge and joy,” attracting people of all ages.
In 2019, the non-profit Hambis Printmaking Museum School, which he founded in 2007, in collaboration with the Municipality of Nicosia, established the Hambis Municipal Printmaking Museum in Nicosia. Without state funding, this project was realized thanks to the mobilization of volunteers and friends who contributed financially and practically to the revival of the semi-ruined building “The Bakeries” within the city’s Venetian walls. With the love of students and friends of the school, the museum today is a unique gem in the Capital.
Through the art of printmaking, Hambis Tsangaris and the community he has built have made a vital contribution to preserving Cyprus’ precious intangible cultural heritage.
Beyond the visual arts, Hambis has deeply studied Cypriot folk tales and mythical creatures. His illustrated editions are a valuable cultural treasure, now used in education both in Cyprus and internationally, ensuring that these important elements of our tradition will not be lost.
Book Writing & Illustration
Spanos and the Forty Dragons (1986, 1991, 2010, 2025), The Prince of Venice (1994, 2011), Hambis – 25 Years of Printmaking (1995), The Anerada (1999, 2010), The Goblins and the Game (2005), Goblins – Cypriot Stories (2006), Goblins – Stories in Cypriot Dialect (2007), The Triplari and the Dragon of the Apple Tree (2015), Hambis the Printmaker (2021), Goblins of Cyprus (2025). He also illustrated many other books written by Cypriot authors.
Hambis’s dedication to sharing his art is evident in the free engraving lessons he initiated in memory of his teacher, Tassos Alevizos. In August 1995, Hambis transformed a ruined house into a vibrant school in the Turkish Cypriot village of Platanistia (Plataniskia). For decades, every August, from 8 AM to 8 PM, Hambis and his students immersed themselves in engraving. These workshops became a “festival of knowledge and joy,” attracting people of all ages to discover their creative potential. Over the years, many teachers joined Hambis, becoming permanent collaborators and continuing this tradition of giving and love. This remarkable initiative has expanded, with Hambis and his team successfully organizing over 20 workshops across Cyprus.
Awards & Distinctions
Honored with four state awards and international distinctions. Mention Honorable BIB Bratislava Illustration Biennale 1987 for O Spanos and the Forty Dragons. Received the Certificate of Honour for Illustration from IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) in 1988. The Triplari and the Dragon of the Apple Tree was selected by the International Youth Library in Munich among the world’s top 200 books and awarded the White Ravens title in 2016.
Since 1995, he has been teaching printmaking for free in the village of Platanisteia, Limassol, in memory of his teacher, engraver A. Tassos.
In 2008, he founded the Hambis Printmaking Museum, the first in Cyprus, with works from the 16th century to today, from many countries.
In 2023, he was awarded the European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award by the European Commission and Europa Nostra.
In 2025, he was conferred the title of Honorary Doctor by the University of Nicosia, School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Many educators became permanent collaborators, continuing this tradition of giving and love. This initiative spread across Cyprus, with countless successful workshops to date.
