Fifty cash prizes of €10,000 were awarded to Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, as part of efforts to strengthen Cyprus’ bi-communal relations.
Addressing the awards ceremony held in Nicosia on Tuesday, he said the that numbers of Greek and Turkish-Cypriots participating in this year’s bi-communal Awards exceeded all expectations, applicant numbers for the award had doubled to reach 215.
“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”, he said.
President Nicos Anastasiades, who attended the Awards Ceremony, 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. The success of the awards comes as little surprise, he said because Greek and Turkish Cypriots worked together for decades, proving that their Cypriot identity and wish to prosper together is a strong and durable common denominator.
“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”, Anastasiades said.
Since 2009 the overall value of prizes for bicommunal cooperation amounts to €2 million.
The list of 50 winning bi-communal teams is:
Chara Savvidou, Neshe Yashin – Exhibition and Poetry Book in Greek and Turkish
Harris Kafkarides, Yasar Ersoy – A web page & book which records the 30 collaborating years of Satiriko & Belediye theatre
Costas Kafkarides, Aliye Ummanel – Joint theatre events
Natalie Neophytou, Nihat Agdac – Bi-communal chamber orchestra
Vasilis Htisti, Zafer Biler – Joint restaurant in the North
Marios Nicolaou, Vasvi Ciftcioglu – Souvenir postcards made with recycled paper
Yiannis Papadikos, Tibet Nidai – Fish merchants
Konstantinos Ahniotis, Nahide Merlen – Bi-communal children’s book
Michael Theodorou, Niyazi Kizilyurek – Turkish translation of GC poet’s Vasilis Michaelides work
Socrates Stratis, Esra Can Akbil – Bi-communal team of architects/designers for the reconstruction of Famagusta after the solution
Gaston Neocleous, Tuncer Huseyin Bagiskan – Social, cultural and entertaining activities island wide
Angeliki Yiassemides, Mehves Beyidoglu Onen – Trilingual primary school
Sotia Adamidou, Simge Kahvecioglu Zekican – The Cyprus Friendship Program (8 years) an all-volunteer peace building project
Olga Demetriou, Murat Ilican – Developing of an urban natural vegetable garden
Paul Costeas, Övgü Once – Bi-communal donor campaigns
Mike Michael, Sukran Ozerdem Michael – Married couple with a son
Antriani Charalambous, Mehmet Birinci – Couple in life and business partners
Larkos Larkou, Hatice Ardost – Married couple and musicians
Vangelis Eleftheriou, Gunce Kozal – Obstacle runs across Cyprus countryside
Tania Matsouka, Nazo Canitez – Yoga / climbing retreats
Michalis Pantelides, Mustafa Elmas – Tango teachers / classes
Nicolas Costantinou, Ayse Karaoglan – Bi-communal concert (8 musicians)
Panicos Stelikos, Mehmet Gökyiğit – Photographic exhibitions island-wide
Antigoni Kyriakidou, Mehmet Yiğiter – Cyprus Accordion Association
Argyro Toumazou, Irina Tryfon, Ozgul Ezgin – Confrontation through Art project (visual arts)
Constantinos Kyprianou, Barçın Gökbörü – ‘Music Unites the World’ – Musicians
Anna Prodromou, Sami Özuslu – Documentary ‘Ghost Airport of the Divided Capital City”
Elena Christou, Kadir Yorgancıoğlu – Granite / Marble traders
Sotiris Antoniou, Kutret Balcı – Honey producers
Andreas Louras, Bozdağ Balikçilik – Fish merchants
George Pixios Kyriacou, Mehmet Nasiboğlu – Electrical contractors
Prodromos Prodromou, Mustafa Darbaz – Potato traders
Zenos Lemis, Minhan Sagiroglou – Lawyers and partners with mutual clients on both sides
Anna Marangou, Orhan Tolun – Walks and Talks in historical and archaeological sites
Andreas Christou, Yücem Rasımoğlu – Bi – communal projects (4) in Limassol
Giorgos Georgiou, Nerkis Musa – Publishing of traditional cooking book in both languages
Maro Kyprianou, Mehmet Emin Eminoglu – Bicommunal folkloric dance group
Rita Severis, Gulden Plumer Kuchuk – Bicommunal museum
Elias Pantelides, Mustafa Balcioglu – ‘Acheon Akti Polythematic Museum’ in Karpaz
Stelios Diamantis, Ramadan Gilanlıoğulları – ‘Kilani Village Expatriates Association’ organisation of local events
Maro Emmanuel, Mehmet Hoca – Activists for the renovation / rebuilding of Gürpınar/Ayia Marina village
Marianna Kokota, Duriye Gokcebag – Greek and Turkish language courses
Xenia Loizidou, Serdar Atai – Marine Litter Cyprus – Island wide project for the marine environment
Antouanetta Katsioloudi, Belgin Demirel – Raising funds for programs for disabled people
Michalis Tsiknakis, Tanur Sertuglu – Married couple
Constantinos Hadjichristofi, Ceren Ataker Etci – Married couple
Marilena Evangelou, Cenk Mutluyakalı – Journalists at Politis and Yeniduzen. Both papers are cooperating
Andreas Splash Kyriacou, Uygar Erdim – ‘GeekOtopos’ – Workspace for creative professionals
Larrys Phylactou, Hassan Ejkein – Masters Swimmers (veterans), taking part at swimming competitions in Cyprus and abroad
Antonis Hajiroussos, Özgür Tahiroğlu – Sustainable tourism at Koruçam/Kormakitis village
Cyprus Weekly
