Aims and objectives: the development of photographic art and creation of international friendly bonds with photographers all around the world. The Cyprus Photographic Society (CPS) was founded in 1960 and in 1964 became a full member of the Federation Internationale de l'Art Photographique (FIAP). In the following years, the art of photography was spread out and its acceptance as a means of expres
sion led to the expansion of the Society's activities. Since 1985 ?ranches were created in four towns, Nicosia, Limassol, Pafos and Larnaca. Membership is open to all residents of Cyprus, irrespective of religion and origin. CPS has established itself as a recognized artistic body, organizing annually both national and international prestigious photographic events, including competitions, exhibitions, seminars, lectures, photographic excursions and discussions. CPS regularly participates in the FIAP Congresses and is proud of its members achievements who have excelled themselves in the artistic battle of the international photographic competitions. So far, seventy-three members have been deservedly awarded with honorary international distinctions of FIAP, PSA, ISF (international photographic organisations). The top distinction, MFIAP, was awarded to the late George Lanitis, one of the founder members of CPS and two of its members, Nicos Karanikis and Andreas L Andreou have been honored with the highest and limited honourary distinction, HonEFIAP for their contribution towards the development of the photographic art. Since 2004, when Cyprus joined the Europen Union, the CPS activity was extended abroad, in collaboration with the Cyprus Embassy in Berlin and covered Geneva, Berlin, Munich and eight other German cities, Helsinki, Prague, Brno and Athens. The highlight of CPS international activities is the International Online Digital Photographic Competitions that proved very popular and attracted entries from up to 122 countries!: www.iodpc.com (2008 & 2010) www.ggiodpc.com (2011) and www.cps-iodpc.com.cy (2013). Two international tourist photo competitions are planned for 2014. CPS will be happy to exchange exhibitions and visits with other photographic societies and is open to suggestions. All CPS efforts are supported by the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Cyprus Tourism Organisation.
