NEW YORK, NY –
One big family celebration took place on May 31st bringing the community together at the Pancyprian Dance Group of NY’s milestone event at Terrace on the Park!
Generations of dancers—both past and present—came together in a joyous and emotional tribute to mark 50 years of the Pancyprian Dance Division’s dedication to preserving and promoting Cypriot culture through traditional dance. The evening attended by close to 300 guests was filled with heartfelt moments, vibrant performances, and a deep sense of pride in the community’s cultural heritage.
A major highlight of the celebration was the honoring of the Dance Division’s founders: Elena Marouletti, Executive Director and Host of AKTINA FM and AKTINA TV (award was received by daughter Carolina Ioannou) and President of CYPRECO, and Yiannis Ioannou, one of the founding members of both the Panpaphian Association and the VRAKA Dance Group. Both honorees were celebrated for their pivotal role in establishing the Dance Division in 1976, laying the foundation for what has become one of the most respected and enduring cultural programs in the Greek and Cypriot American community.
A congratulatory message from H.E. Archbishop Elpidophoros was conveyed to the attendees by Rev. Fr. Evagoras Constantinides who blessed the event. Consul General of Cyprus, Michael Fyrillas, AHEPA Supreme President, Savas Tsivicos, and PSEKA / Pancyprian Association President, Philip Christopher, also offered remarks.
The event was emceed by Kyriakos Papastylianou, President of the Federation of Cypriot Organizations of America, who recounted his personal experiences as a longtime member of the Dance Group and expressed his gratitude to the founders as well as the former Dance Division presidents Dimitris Petridis, Andreas Koudelou, Gus Bougdanou and Thelma Pieris and all the board members, for their contributions. Special mention was made of chorus masters Konstantinos and Georgia Polydorou and Maria Panagiotou.
