Sir Stelios awarded 50 prizes to enhance bi-communal cooperation

Stelios Cyprus Awards

Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou granted today 50 cash prizes of €10,000 to Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots, as an endeavor to consolidate the island’s bi-communal relations. The aim of the charitable work of Sir Stelios is to establish lasting peace on the island.

During the awards ceremony held today in Nicosia, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou said, that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots participation in this year’s bicommunal Awards exceeded all expectations, as the number of teams doubled to reach 215, which is a new record number. He pointed out that the great response was due to the excellent publicity received by the contest page of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation on Facebook. Sir Stelios added, “We gave the opportunity to Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to join the group Stelios Cyprus Bi-Communal Awards 2016 on Facebook, to meet each other, to network and develop partnerships”.

President Nikos Anastasiades, who attended the Awards Ceremony and greeted, said that the Stelios Foundation not only rewards the efforts to promote and develop joint projects between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in different areas, but actively contributes to strengthening socio-economic ties between the two communities. President Anastasiades emphasized that the success of the awards is not surprising, since Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots worked together for decades, proving that their common denominator, which is their Cypriot identity and the desire to prosper together, is strong and durable.

“My presence here today sends a clear message that the Republic of Cyprus remains sincerely committed to support such bi-communal initiatives that support our efforts at the negotiation table, which aim to achieve a comprehensive solution which will end the unacceptable status quo and will reunite our country, its people, its economy and its institutions, “said President Anastasiades.

Remarkably, since 2009 the overall value of prizes for bicommunal cooperation amounts to EUR 2 million.

The list of 50 winning bi-communal teams is:

  1. Chara Savvidou, Neshe Yashin – Exhibition and Poetry Book in Greek and Turkish
  2. Harris Kafkarides, Yasar Ersoy – A web page & book which records the 30 collaborating years of Satiriko & Belediye theatre
  3. Costas Kafkarides, Aliye Ummanel – Joint theatre events
  4. Natalie Neophytou, Nihat Agdac – Bi-communal chamber orchestra
  5. Vasilis Htisti, Zafer Biler – Joint restaurant in the North
  6. Marios Nicolaou, Vasvi Ciftcioglu – Souvenir postcards made with recycled paper
  7. Yiannis Papadikos, Tibet Nidai – Fish merchants
  8. Konstantinos Ahniotis, Nahide Merlen – Bi-communal children’s book
  9. Michael Theodorou, Niyazi Kizilyurek – Turkish translation of GC poet’s Vasilis Michaelides work
  10. Socrates Stratis, Esra Can Akbil – Bi-communal team of architects/designers for the reconstruction of Famagusta after the solution
  11. Gaston Neocleous, Tuncer Huseyin Bagiskan – Social, cultural and entertaining activities island wide
  12. Angeliki Yiassemides, Mehves Beyidoglu Onen – Trilingual primary school
  13. Sotia Adamidou, Simge Kahvecioglu Zekican – The Cyprus Friendship Program (8 years) an all volunteer peace building project
  14. Olga Demetriou, Murat Ilican – Developing of an urban natural vegetable garden
  15. Paul Costeas, Övgü Once – Bi-communal donor campaigns
  16. Mike Michael, Sukran Ozerdem Michael – Married couple with a son
  17. Antriani Charalambous, Mehmet Birinci – Couple in life and business partners
  18. Larkos Larkou, Hatice Ardost – Married couple and musicians
  19. Vangelis Eleftheriou, Gunce Kozal – Obstacle runs across Cyprus countryside
  20. Tania Matsouka, Nazo Canitez – Yoga / climbing retreats
  21. Michalis Pantelides, Mustafa Elmas – Tango teachers / classes
  22. Nicolas Costantinou, Ayse Karaoglan – Bi-communal concert (8 musicians)
  23. Panicos Stelikos, Mehmet Gökyiğit – Photography exhibitions island wide
  24. Antigoni Kyriakidou, Mehmet Yiğiter – Cyprus Accordion Association
  25. Argyro Toumazou, Irina Tryfon, Ozgul Ezgin – Confrontation through Art project (visual arts)
  26. Constantinos Kyprianou, Barçın Gökbörü – ‘Music Unites The World’ – Musicians
  27. Anna Prodromou, Sami Özuslu – Documentary ‘Ghost Airport of the Divided Capital City”
  28. Elena Christou, Kadir Yorgancıoğlu – Granite / Marble traders
  29. Sotiris Antoniou, Kutret Balcı – Honey producers
  30. Andreas Louras, Bozdağ Balikçilik – Fish merchants
  31. George Pixios Kyriacou, Mehmet Nasiboğlu – Electrical contractors
  32. Prodromos Prodromou, Mustafa Darbaz – Potato traders
  33. Zenos Lemis, Minhan Sagiroglou – Lawyers and partners with mutual clients on both sides
  34. Anna Marangou, Orhan Tolun – Walks and Talks in historical and archaeological sites
  35. Andreas Christou, Yücem Rasımoğlu – Bi – communal projects (4) in Limassol
  36. Giorgos Georgiou, Nerkis Musa – Publishing of traditional cooking book in both languages
  37. Maro Kyprianou, Mehmet Emin Eminoglu – Bicommunal folkloric dance group
  38. Rita Severis, Gulden Plumer Kuchuk – Bicommunal museum
  39. Elias Pantelides, Mustafa Balcioglu – ‘Acheon Akti Polythematic Museum’ at Karpasi peninsula
  40. Stelios Diamantis, Ramadan Gilanlıoğulları – ‘Kilani Village Expatriates Association’ organisation of local events
  41. Maro Emmanuel, Mehmet Hoca – Activists for the renovation / rebuilding of Ayia Marina village
  42. Marianna Kokota, Duriye Gokcebag – Greek and Turkish language courses
  43. Xenia Loizidou, Serdar Atai – Marine Litter Cyprus – Island wide project for the marine environment
  44. Antouanetta Katsioloudi, Belgin Demirel – Raising funds for programs for disabled people
  45. Michalis Tsiknakis, Tanur Sertuglu – Married couple
  46. Constantinos Hadjichristofi, Ceren Ataker Etci – Married couple
  47. Marilena Evangelou, Cenk Mutluyakalı – Journalists at Politis and Yeniduzen. Both papers are cooperating
  48. Andreas Splash Kyriacou, Uygar Erdim – ‘GeekOtopos’ – Workspace for creative professionals
  49. Larrys Phylactou, Hassan Ejkein – Masters Swimmers (veterans), taking part at swimming competitions in Cyprus and abroad
  50. Antonis Hajiroussos, Özgür Tahiroğlu – Sustainable tourism at Kormakitis village

Online Media Coverage in Greek

25/10/2016 citysigmalive.com 
25/10/2016 cna.org.cy
25/10/2016 cna.org.cy 
25/10/2016 politis.com.cy 
25/10/2016 cna.org.cy 
25/10/2016 tvonenews.com.cy 
25/10/2016 protothema.gr 
25/10/2016 cyprustimes.com 
25/10/2016 newsbomb.com 
25/10/2016 newsit.com.cy 
25/10/2016 ekirikas.com 
25/10/2016 reporter.com.cy 
25/10/2016 dialogos.com.cy 
25/10/2016 philenews.com 
25/10/2016 i-eidisi.com 
25/10/2016 offsite.com.cy 
25/10/2016 eurokerdos.com
25/10/2016 palo.com.cy
25/10/2016 kathimerini.com.cy 
25/10/2016 ant1iwo.com 
25/10/2016 riknews.com.cy 
25/10/2016 onlycy.com 
25/10/2016 mynews.gr 
25/10/2016 tvonenews.com.cy 
26/10/2016 tvone.com.cy 
26/10/2016 showbiz.com.cy 
26/10/2016 inbusinessnews.com 
26/10/2016 impossible.works 
26/10/2016 kerkida.net 
26/10/2016 cyprusnews.eu 
26/10/2016 palo.com.cy

Press in Greek

25/10/2016 Fileleftheros (Page 20)
25/10/2016 Politis (Page 4)
25/10/2016 Alitheia (Page 1 & 17)
25/10/2016 Haravgi (Page 12 & 26)
26/10/2016 H Efimerida twn Syntaktvn (Page 11) 
26/10/2016 Fileleftheros (Page 6)
26/10/2016 Alitheia (Page 1 & 6)
26/10/2016 Politis (Page 1 & 7)
26/10/2016 Haravgi (Page 1 & 7)

Press In English

26/10/2016 Cyprus Mail (Page 4)
26/10/2016 Financial Mirror (Page 5)
02/12/2016 Cyprus Weekly (Page 29)
New Year 2017 Issue No59 Friends of Cyprus
13/01/2017 Cyprus Weekly (Page 33)
15/03/2017 Cyprus Mail (Page 17)

TV Coverage

ΡΙΚ TV INTERVIEW 24/10/2016
ΡΙΚ TV 25/10/2016
SIGMA TV 25/10/2016
Interview MEGAONE 25/10/2016
Alpha CY TV 25/10/2016