George Lanitis

In the early 1960s, Mr Lanitis travelled around Cyprus with his good friend and renowned Cypriot artist, George Pol Georgiou. While Pol Georgiou made sketches and drawings at every stop, Lanitis took photographs with his trusted Leica camera.

There are some truly extraordinary photographs in the book. So many wonderful faces and places. (Let me know if you recognise anyone. How fantastic that would be).

So who was George Lanitis? Well, let me tell you, I’ve spent many hours this week trying to answer that question and to learn more about him and his family. To tell you the truth, there appears to be very little written about his life and upbringing. Most sources I’ve found mention his achievements and career highlights. There appears to be very little written about his family, his early life and upbringing. Or so it seems. Perhaps you can help me.

This is what I’ve discovered so far.

George Lanitis was born in Famagusta on 23rd February 1936 to Nikolas and Anastasia Lanitis. (He has two siblings but their names and dates of birth are unknown. I’d love to know more about his parents and siblings. For instance, was his father born in the village of Lania (Laneia, Λάνια), or perhaps it was his grandfather?)

Lanitis grew up in Nicosia where he attended the Pancyprian Gymnasium during the 1950s. As the age of seventeen (1953), he organised the first photographic exhibition to be held by any school in Cyprus. (Again, I would love to know more about his teenager years in Nicosia and indeed his involvement with photography as a young man. For instance, did he hang around the popular photographic studios in Nicosia? Did he know Haigaz Mangoian?).

After completing secondary school, Lanitis went to England where he studied Communication and Arts at the University of London.

At some point he met legendary photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson who inspired him to become a photojournalist. In the pursuit of his amazing career, Lanitis has photographed some truly extraordinary people, including. Archbishop Makarios, Winston Churchill, General De Gaulle, Nehru, Mao Tsedong, Indira Ghandi, Pablo Picasso, Marilyn Monroe, Lawrence Olivier and Queen Elisabeth II. (Where are these photographs? Were they ever published? I’d love to know more about this period in his life?)

I believe he returned to Cyprus in the late 1950s. It must have been around this time when he met and married his first wife Myra. (I have found no information about Myra. Who she is, when did they marry? Did they have children?).

In 1957, he was hired by the Cypriot Radio Service (now Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC).

Sometime during the 1950s, Lanitis settled in the village of Bellapais where he met and became good friends with Laurence Durrell (of Bitter Lemons fame).

In 1960, he founded the Cyprus Photographic Society and contributed to the promotion of photographic art in Cyprus.

He worked for the BBC for a short while before becoming a cinematographer, director, producer and head of a RIK film crew. He is credited with directing about 15 films with some winning major awards.

In 1964, he won first prize at the New York International Photography Exhibition. The following year, he organised the first large solo photo exhibition in Cyprus.

He edited and published the Cyprus Diplomatist (monthly magazine) and for over 24 years he was a regular columnist for The Cyprus Weekly.

As a respected cinematographer, Lanitis accompanied President Makarios on many trips to Europe, Asia and other parts of the world.

Lanitis lived in the village of Bellapais (Bellapaix) until the Turkish invasion in July, 1974 uprooted his life and dramatically changed his world forever. He fled to Nicosia, seeking sanctuary at the Hilton Hotel for a while before eventually moving to the village of Psevdas. (Not sure when this occurred).

It is reported that Lanitis lost everything he owned in July, 1974. This included thousands of negatives, all his archives, countless photographs, his equipment, his books and his antiques. Utterly grief-stricken, he gave up photography professionally for several years.

In 1979, Lanitis met Androulla (surname unknown) whom he married a year later. (I’m not sure what happened to his first wife Myra. I don’t know anything about Androulla Lanitis. One article I found mentioned that she was fairly well known in Cyprus at the time).

In an interview with the Cyprus Reporter, Androulla Lanitis described her husband as a cultured, exuberant, sociable and pleasant man with a good sense of humour. “I was impressed by his enthusiasm and passion for what he did,” she said. “He was very hospitable, loved good wine, good food and our house was always open for acquaintances and friends. He even taught me how to cook.” Androulla went on to say that Lanitis had social sensitivities and strong views on various issues, such as the environment, the position of women in political and social life, animal welfare and much more, which he was able to express freely through his column in The Cyprus Weekly.

George and Androulla Lanitis lived in Psevdas village, Larnaca, where he maintained his working studio and a small gallery. I believe they had two children. (Perhaps Androulla still lives there).

In 2004, the President of the Republic of Cyprus awarded George Lanitis the highest cultural distinction for his contribution to the Arts. Sadly, a year later, in May 2005, George Lanitis passed away at the age of 69. (I’m not sure why he died so young).

A few days before his passing, the Ministry of Education and Culture had published an album titled ‘George Lanitis – 50 Years of Photography’ in recognition of his vast and significant contribution in the field of the Arts. (I would love to get my hands on this publication but I can’t find it anywhere).

In closing, I’d like to apologise to any family or friends of George Lanitis for this very brief summary of his life. People who follow Tales of Cyprus will know that I am very committed in writing thorough and accurate life stories.

Please reach out to me if you knew George Lanitis or if you can shed any information about his life. I would be honoured to write his life story for Tales of Cyprus. I am especially interested in his early years and his early photography.

In the meantime, enjoy the photographs from his book. Add your comments and feel free to contact me via Messenger or email if you can help me document Mr Lanitis’ life story.

conemmanuelle@talesofcyprus.com