What if the stories we tell could bridge divides and foster unity? Vasilis Papavasiliou reflects on the rich tapestry of narratives that shape our identities, particularly in the divided landscape of Cyprus. Drawing from personal experiences and cultural insights, he explores how storytelling can transform perspectives and build connections amidst conflict. Join Vasilis as he invites us to rethink our narratives and discover the potential for peace and understanding through shared stories.
0:10 - Introduction
1:13 - Limbic system that helps us to analyse the culture
2:26 - Tourism in Cyprus on the point of view of perspectives
3:39 - Social aspects of tour guide
4:06 - Cultural differences between Cyprus and Turkey
6:23 - Traditional coffee for fortune telling
7:21 - Cyprus journey gaining the trust
9:10 - Nicosia is the last divided city in Europe
10:00 - Conclusion
A Cyprus cultural promoter and Tourism and hospitality professor, Vasilis Papavasiliou has deep roots in Cyprus’s tourism industry, having grown up in a family embedded in the sector. He holds a PhD in Hotel and Tourism Management from Hong Kong Polytechnic University (UNWTO TedQual-certified), with research focusing on “Collective Memory and Narrated Destination Image: Interpreting the Tour Guides’ Narratives in Guided Tours.”
Currently serving as Head of Hospitality and Tourism at CTL Eurocollege, he actively promotes Cyprus through various media including video podcasts, travel videos, and comedic content. His academic work explores how storytelling influences tourists’ perceptions of destinations. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 7:33Unlock Your Potential with IKIGAI | Sanjeevv Khanna | TEDxLakhotaLakeStudioIn this talk, Sanjeevv Khanna (an Entrepreneur, Mentor & Leader) explores the transformative power of IKIGAI—the intersection of purpose, passion, and potential. Sharing actionable insights and timeless principles, he guides on about aligning personal growth with meaningful contributions to create a fulfilling and impactful life. Sanjeevv Khanna is a seasoned leader in operational management, bridging the gap between executive leadership and operational teams. As a Management Representative, he drives strategic vision by implementing process improvements, fostering innovation, and aligning business growth opportunities with the company’s strategic goals. Sanjeevv excels at revamping business models to create market-driven, responsive organizations. With a focus on performance management, mentorship, and customer-centric strategies, he leads projects that drive top-line and bottom-line growth while mentoring teams for efficiency and success. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 13:01Connecting life on Earth with the cosmos | Gernot Groemer | TEDxYerevanWhat does the universe think of life? How can we connect to universal love? Dr. Gernot Groemer brings captivating insights to these profound questions, exploring humanity’s place within the vast cosmos and how we can deepen our connection to the energy of universal love. Dr. Groemer unpacks these cosmic mysteries, inviting us to see life from a new, expansive perspective.Dr. Gernot Groemer studied astrophysics at the University of Innsbruck and is a graduate of the International Space University. In 2003, as an analog astronaut, he was selected as a crew for a space flight simulation at the Mars Desert Research Station and also conducted research as part of parabolic flights in weightlessness. He serves as the director of The Austrian Space Forum, where coordinated 14 astronautical simulation campaigns in Mars-like deserts on Earth to date, including in the Israeli Negev Desert, in the Dhofar region of Oman, in the northern Sahara and most recently in 2024 in the Armash region of Armenia. He teaches at various universities and serves in expert committees, such as the European Space Agency or the UN's Space Generation Advisory Council. He is involved in the field of science communication, hosting Austria's a prime time show on science and technology since 2018 and gets excited when he holds water rocket workshops in kindergartens from time to time. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 25:43Inner Pilgrimage of Spiritual Awakening | Vardan Petrosyan | TEDxYerevanIn this inspiring talk, Vardan Petrosyan takes us on an emotional journey of self-discovery, spiritual awakening, and profound reflections on his personal experiences. Through heartfelt stories and insights from his life, he reveals how belief can serve as a foundation for resilience, personal growth, and finding purpose amidst life’s unexpected challenges. He emphasizes the power of honest self-reflection, showing how acknowledging our shortcomings and committing to inner growth can empower us to overcome adversity and embrace life with meaning and joy.Vardan Petrosyan, a graduate of both Terlemezyan State College of Fine Arts and Yerevan State Theatre and Fine Arts Institute, is celebrated as one of the greatest contemporary Armenian actors. His artistic journey began after a two-year service in the Soviet Army, leading to the creation of the private theater studio "Hedgehogs" with friends in Yerevan. The troupe's tours across Armenia and France included politically charged performances during the Karabakh movement. Since 1992, Petrosyan has resided in France, performing extensively on French stages and internationally, including in Armenia. He is also the author of two books and has exhibited his art widely. Vardan Petrosyan shares his life with two cats, Toulouse and Colette, and the latter has been missing for two months. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 15:53How gamification and AI will shape the future of education | Thijs van Dijk | TEDxLeeuwardenHow to unlock your true potential and develop your talents as a human being through the power of personalization, gamification and AI? That’s the question that will be answered by brand and marketing expert Thijs van Dijk, who believes that we need to disrupt the education system to make the world a happier and healthier place. He will share his vision on the future of education and he will explain how these three important elements will change the way people learn. His greater mission is to empower the superheroes of the future to find their superpowers. Thijs van Dijk has a passion for talent development and shares his vision on the future of education. He has a love for brands and people and as a creative marketing expert he is fascinated by consumer behavior. As a result he started his company the brand psychologist. As a teacher he worked several years for the university of applied sciences in Amsterdam and he was responsible for the development of the minor ‘future of esports’ in which topics like esports, gaming and gamification came together. Creating impactful solutions that can change the world for the better is what drives him and what fuels the fire within him. His mission is to make the world a healthier and happier place by helping people to discover and unlock their talents in order to find their true potential. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 17:58How I develop inner sustainable leadership | Eva Rutten | TEDxLeeuwardenEva Rutten talks openly and playfully with power, about sustainable leadership. She provides pragmatic tools. “Open up about the inner”, she pleads, to be able to solve challenges together. Eva Rutten believes there is an imbalance between economics and ecosystems. She wants to be part of the solution through various roles at the crossroads of strategy, organization and developing leadership. As a Leadership Trainer, Speaker (symposia/media), Business Coach, Teacher and volunteer. She aims to cultivate (self) awareness, courage, new visions and business models to develop (inner) sustainable leadership, also to take the lead in sustainability. Educated as a History teacher, she worked 25 years for multinationals, in commercial management roles. (Ahold, Hema, Disney, Shell, BP). At the NHL Stenden University of applied sciences, she is a part-time (incompany) teacher in Entrepreneurship and Retail Management. For the Inner Development Goals organization, (non-profit), Eva is an Ambassador. Here she contributes to the “Inner development” to be able to develop the Sustainable Development Goals. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 7:05¿Tu serie favorita contamina? | Santiago Fontanarrosa | TEDxRosarioSantiago nos invita a reflexionar sobre un aspecto poco conocido del mundo digital: su impacto ambiental. Desde datos sobre el consumo energético de nuestras acciones cotidianas, como enviar un correo o ver series online, hasta soluciones innovadoras que ya están transformando el sector, esta charla cambiará tu perspectiva sobre la relación entre tecnología y sostenibilidad. Santiago Fontanarrosa es un ingeniero de software con más de 15 años de experiencia, especializado en sostenibilidad digital y software verde. Ha dedicado su carrera a desarrollar y promover prácticas que minimicen la huella de carbono del software, destacándose como un defensor activo del uso de la tecnología para alcanzar objetivos sostenibles. A través de su participación en la Green Software Foundation, ha contribuido a establecer estándares y metodologías que permiten a la comunidad tecnológica medir y reducir el impacto energético del software. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
