The recent passing of French cinematic icon Brigitte Bardot, at the venerable age of 91, has inevitably cast a retrospective light on various facets of her celebrated life and career. Beyond her indelible impact on film and her later, fervent dedication to animal welfare, Bardot also harboured a distinct connection to the island of Cyprus, specifically to the now-defunct resort town of Varosha. Her sojourns to this once-vibrant locale during the early 1970s serve as a poignant reminder of a bygone era, a period when Varosha was colloquially lauded as "the St. Tropez of Cyprus," attracting a constellation of international stars and cultural luminaries.
In the years preceding its unfortunate displacement, Varosha, a district south of Famagusta, was a byword for opulence and cosmopolitan allure. It was a magnet for the "elite of the arts," as noted by archaeologist and art historian Anna Marangou, drawing figures like Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who, much like Bardot herself, were known to frequent the prestigious Argo Hotel on Kennedy Avenue. This establishment became a nexus for the era's crème de la crème, a place where the worlds of cinema and high society intertwined against a backdrop of sun-drenched beaches and sophisticated nightlife. Bardot's presence there, during the twilight of her acting career before her retirement in 1973, cemented the resort's reputation as a premier destination for global celebrities.
The allure of Varosha extended beyond its luxurious accommodation and celebrity patronage. Its economic vitality as a hub for international trade and tourism, coupled with a palpable intellectual and creative energy, contributed to its unique atmosphere. Even before Bardot's visit, the region had a rich cultural tapestry. Famagusta, the broader urban centre, had hosted Swedish pop group ABBA for an informal performance in 1970 and had served as a filming location for Paul Newman's iconic 1960 movie "Exodus," with Newman himself lodging at the Constancia Hotel. Furthermore, the literary giants of Greece, including George Seferis, Odysseas Elytis, Nikos Gatsos, and Nikos Kazantzakis – the latter having visited Cyprus in 1926 and spoken of Famagusta in a 1954 interview – had all, in their own ways, engaged with the island's cultural landscape, underscoring its significance beyond mere holiday resort status.
Bardot's decision to retreat from her illustrious acting career and subsequently marry Bernard d'Ormale in 1992 marked a significant shift in her public persona, her energies redirected towards championing animal rights through the Brigitte Bardot Foundation. This later phase of her life, characterised by its unwavering commitment to her chosen cause, has been widely acknowledged. French President Emmanuel Macron, in his heartfelt tribute, described her as "a legend of the century," embodying "a life of freedom" and leaving an indelible mark on French and global consciousness. Similarly, Marine Le Pen lauded her as "an exceptional woman, through her talent, her courage, her frankness, her beauty."
The Brigitte Bardot Foundation itself articulated her enduring legacy, stating she was "a world-renowned actress and singer, who chose to abandon her prestigious career to dedicate her life and energy to animal welfare and her foundation." While her contributions to cinema and her philanthropic endeavours are paramount, her brief but notable association with Varosha adds a poignant layer to her biography. Her visits, alongside those of her Hollywood contemporaries, contributed to an image of Varosha as a locus of glamour and cultural exchange, an image now irrevocably tied to a specific historical moment. The memory of Bardot gracing the shores of Varosha, therefore, resonates not only as a personal anecdote but also as a significant marker in the evocative, albeit tragic, narrative of a Cypriot town that once shone so brightly on the international stage.