Who We Are
Our Mission
"Lampousa's mission is to promote and preserve our Greek Cypriot culture through events and programs; to support our community; and champion efforts toward the freedom of our land."
Meet Lampousa
The Lampousa Cypriot American Association is a vibrant community organization dedicated to preserving Greek Cypriot heritage in America for nearly nine decades. Founded in 1937, we are proud members of the Cyprus Federation of America and continue to bring together Greek Cypriots and friends of Cyprus through cultural events, youth programs, philanthropy, and community support.
Our Name and Origins
Our name, Lampousa, comes from the ancient city on the northern coast of Cyprus, near the towns of Karavas and Lapithos. This region was one of the earliest cradles of Greek civilization on the island. During the Greco-Roman era, Laconians settled the area and established Lapithos, which later became one of the nine ancient kingdoms of Cyprus and an important Christian bishopric.
The wider Lampousa region is home to the Byzantine Monastery of Acheropiitou and is renowned for the discovery of the celebrated Lampousa Silver Treasures—exquisitely crafted Byzantine silver trays now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the British Museum, and the Cyprus Museum.
Today, this historic region remains under Turkish occupation, and it stands as a powerful symbol of our community's commitment to memory, identity, and the pursuit of a just solution for Cyprus.
Immigration, Community, and the Founding of Lampousa (1937)
For generations, people from Karavas, Lapithos, and the surrounding Lampousa area emigrated to build new lives around the world while keeping a deep emotional bond with their homeland.
In October 1937, Cypriots who had settled in New York came together to create the Lampousa Society—what is now the Lampousa Cypriot American Association. Their mission was to:
- Support the social, moral, and intellectual well-being of members
- Strengthen friendship and unity within the community
- Provide voluntary assistance to members in need
- Promote education in their home villages of Karavas, Lapithos, and the surrounding region
The Society's early leadership set the foundation for decades of service. The first president was Christos Foskos, followed by George Papoulas, George Nicolaou, and Aristides Demetriou.
Philanthropy and Community Service
Over the years, Lampousa has worked closely with Cypriot organizations across the United States and around the world. Our contributions have included support for:
- The Cyprus Sanatorium
- The Cyprus Emergency Relief Committee
- The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- The American Red Cross
- Numerous national and community-based charitable efforts
One of our most meaningful achievements was in 1968, when the Church of Saint Peter was built in Karavas with the support and donations of Lampousa members.
Lampousa Today
Following the 1974 Turkish invasion and the ongoing occupation of northern Cyprus—including Karavas, Lapithos, and the Lampousa region—our mission has gained renewed importance. We strive not only to preserve our roots but also to keep alive the memory of our ancestral homeland for future generations.
Today, based in the New Jersey / New York metropolitan area, the Lampousa Cypriot American Association continues to thrive as a welcoming community hub. Through cultural celebrations, youth programs, educational initiatives, and philanthropic activities, we honor our heritage and strengthen the bonds that unite Greek Cypriots and friends of Cyprus across the United States and beyond.