Press Release:
Actors Union Cyprus, on the occasion of its 60th anniversary of its founding, organized on Saturday, September 4th, at the Old Powerhouse in Nicosia, a big celebration honoring the pioneers of Culture, its members and all those who contributed to achieving its goals, for decent working conditions, as well as in the cultural development of the country.
The ceremony was held under the protection of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Cyprus and in the presence of the Honorable President of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Annita Dimitriou, as well as the Deputy Director of Cultural Services Mr. Louis Kyprianou. Also present were representatives of all political parties, Mr. Pavlos Mylonas, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Culture, Mrs. Antigoni Papafilippou, Chairman of the Board of THOC, Mr. Savvas Kyriakidis Artistic Director of THOC, the General Secretary of SEK Mr. Andreas Matsas, the General Secretary of O.Y.Y.K. - SEK, Mr. Elissaios Michael, Mr. Prokopis Agathokleous and Mr. Nikos Grigoriou on behalf of Theatre Artists SIDIKEK - PEO, as well as representatives from all cultural institutions and associations, and also prime members of AUC, such as Lenia Sorokou, Dinos Lyra, Stelios Kafkaridis, Pizza Antoniadou, Neophytos Neophytou, Despina Bembedeli, Varnavas Kyriazis, Achilleas Grammatikopoulos, Olga Potamitou, Iraklis Giorgallis, to name a few.
The Honorable President of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Annita Dimitriou expressed her full support on the work that the AUC is doing, especially on the establishment of the profession, but also pledge to help with the imposition of institutional arrangements to protect Actors, by accessing social benefits and good working conditions.
During the ceremony, the President of Actors Union Cyprus, Mr. Andreas Tselepos made a brief historical review, from the day of the founding of AUC until today, paying tribute to the Old Guard of Actors who actually founded and supported this body throughout the years, and by presenting them with an Honorary Award. There was also a tribute, and a special “In Memoriam” video was played, remembering and honoring all the fellow actors who left their mark on the artistic scene of the country, actors who left behind valuable work, bringing up generations and generations.
Mr. Tselepos concluded, by announcing a new statute. That of the Actors Union Cyprus Awards (the AUC Awards). The awards will focus on both the individual performances of actors as well as the work of the entire cast of a Theatrical Performance, a Drama and a Comedy TV Series, a Film, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award. These distinctions are fundamental to the spirit of the Actors Union Cyprus, because they recognize exactly that, that acting is an art of collaboration.
The Ceremony concluded by taking a first step in this statute, awarding the first ever AUC Lifetime Achievement Award to fellow actor, Spyros Stavrinidis.
Reasoning for the Award:
“The AUC Board of Directors decided to award the first ever AUC Lifetime Achievement Award to a person who worked selflessly, always close to the young, with fists and courage, either as President of the Union, or as a member of the Board of Directors, or as an experienced strong voice, with his main concern the good of the theater and its people.”
Spyros Stavrinidis, visibly touched, thanked all his colleagues by declaring his faith in the new generation of artists.
60 years of struggles, dreams, claims, with common denominator Unity, Solidarity and the Common Good, 60 years of Actors Union Cyprus.
Happy birthday to our entire family of actors,
Happy Birthday,
Actors Union Cyprus