Social contribution and culture are interlinked. In works of art, in poetry, in song lyrics, in theatre, in music, humanitarian messages are being concentrated, elevating the spirit, the conscious and the sense for what happens around us.
Simultaneously, the artists, inspired by the societal problems around them, create. Therefore, the result of culture is in fact social contribution. For this reason, art has always been a lever for the development of society.
Having this in mind, KEPAKY is trying to promote culture, in the various events and activities it organises, through the traditions, the customs and the uniqueness of Cyprus’ culture.
Cultural Heritage
St. Apostles Church
The St. Apostles Church belongs to the Potamitissa community and it was built on the 14th century. It is one of the four churches in the village Rontia (Rogkia/Roggia), which is estimated to have had approximately 2000 inhabitants. The village was totally destroyed from a Kramanian incursion. Around the 16th century the deadly illness, plague, hit the village and most inhabitants died.
The ones that were saved left Rontia and settled in the mountains nearby and afterwards joined -among others- the villages of Pelendri and Potamitissa. Unfortunately, some of thought that there was a treasure in the church therefore they ruined it, took the stones and left the foundations behind.
In 2008, the Sofocleous family from Pelendri donated the restoration of the church and the iconostasi (2009). The architecture of the church is single aisle wooden double roof church with hinged tiles. The restoration of the church by Sofocleous family continued from 1-meter fundaments that were found there. The architectural drawings were a donation of Niki Charzilyra from Morfou. The frescoes were done in 2010 from painter Μichael Ebanoidze, from Georgia.
The restoration of the church from Sofocleous family had a symbolic meaning, since it was a common meeting place of several neighbour communities. The miraculous holy icon of the temple is kept with respect in the heart of the inhabitants of the area and every year, on the day of St. Apostles, on June 29th the inhabitants of the communities of Pelendri and Potamitissa walk in procession, bringing their holy icons for the ceremony.
Theatre
Theatrical Performances
Theatre is the creation of live resemblances, either traditional or imaginary, in between people, aiming at educating and entertaining the audience. The most ancient types of organised theatre have their origins in ancient Greece.
Theatre is a means of communication and expression of feeling, which simultaneously raises the individual’s creativity and problem-solving capacity. Through drama or comedy situations of the actor on stage, the spectator reaches catharsis and at the same time they are associated, involved and enlightened.
Watching theatrical plays the individual’s intellectual virtues are being cultivated (rational, memory, fantasy) and reinforces its course towards self-analysis and self-knowledge.
At the same time, the creative trends are being unfolded and the explorations, the concerns, the visions and the feelings are being expressed. The personality is being refined and the tempers are fined with the approach of high aesthetic achievements.
Through theatre, a transfer of healthy standards, which are transpired with respect to human ideals, since it moralises and teaches, which is a necessary element of our times.
Given this, KEPAKY has been a supporter of theatre already from its early steps. For two consecutive years, from 2007 to 2009, the Foundation supported Theatriki Poreia Lemesou and since then it is an initiator in actions promoting Cypriot cultural heritage and reinforce the cultural happenings.
In 2015 Kepaky organised two theatrical plays. In detail, the theatrical play of Eduardo De Filippo, “The lie has long legs” organised on March 20, 2015, with 16 actors from ETHAL, was a great success. Among others, one of the actors playing was Kostas Vichas, famous actor and Friend of Kepaky since its establishment.
The same year, on December 20, 2015, Kepaky in cooperation with the “Melissi” workshop, held the theatrical play “The Little Match Girl’, with big success as well, attracting the interest of our little friends.
The masterpiece by Hans Christian Andersen and perhaps one of the most powerful stories of our childhood, sends sonorous messages of solidarity, offering, compassion and love towards the fellow man in need, not only during the Holy Day, but all days!
Each one of us can reach out his hand towards the Other and offer help. Each one of us can change his mentality and fulfil his heart with humanism and find some time to look around him, his fellow men and to notice those in need and give them a piece from its surplus.
Christmas era and holidays in general, are not simply considered to be the house decoration, the wishes and the gifts. The true meaning of Jesus birth is love, offering and help. For this each one of us should offer anything we can to those in need.
Kepaky, with the help of the “Melissi” workshop and the children actors, endeavoured through the amazing and powerful art of theatre to have young and older spectators walk in the shoed of the little girl, to develop a sense of reflection on our lifestyle, our fast pace of life and often on our indifference towards other people’s problems.
At the Solidarity and Love event on October 8, 2017, which was held under the Auspices of Limassol Municipality, KEPAKY organised among others, a performance of shadow theatre, a predominantly folk theatre type.
The figure of Karagkiozi sent messages of offering and solidarity towards the Other to everyone, by showcasing at the same time an integral part of our civilisation, since it consists of a field of our intangible cultural heritage and one of the most ancient types of theatrical spectacle.
On 11th of May 2018, Kepaky, in collaboration with AEL academies and Scene 8, performed with great success an exceptional theatrical performance at Technohoros ETHAL. The theatrical performance was part of the campaign against bullying that the Foundation operates since 2016. The first text was Blackout, of the Scottish writer Dave Anderson that seems to have undergone several transformations until it reaches the version we saw under the title “CPR-US”.
It is a social-educational project, very touching, which refers to the miniature of the Cypriot society. The two actors of the show, with the immediacy and naturalness of interpretations with Cypriot dialect, they make recognizable forms.
The dissolved family, domestic violence, the lack of effective contact between the people who should be close to each other, loneliness, insecurity, low self-esteem, young behavioral and behavioral patterns, the inability of young people to communicate with each other, the teasing of adolescents, the rejection by the “team”, the victimization of the “different” – this is the long list of problems that the actors pretend to express. The main message that emerged from the performance is that: “love and meaningful communication is the answer to the problems of youth”!
Dance
Dance was chosen as a means of entertainment, as well as of communication of Kepaky’s messages with people, in multiple events held by the Foundation. Dance schemes of traditional, latin and other types of dance are just a few of those who participated in Kepaky’s events over time and added a colourful tone on the events. Dance is a type of expression which knows no boundaries and highlights multiculturalism.
Carnival Dances – A tradition for our Limassol
An integral part of the culture of our city is of course the Limassol Carnival, which is honoured and celebrated by KEPAKY almost every year and always with charitable connotations. On February 2009 a Carnival party was organised for the first time, aiming at the acquaintance of the general public with the objectives of the Foundation, as well as the collection of contributions for the realisation of its humanitarian aims.
Since then, there have been many carnival parties, always on the basis of solidarity, offering and joy: at Breeze Lounge Bar in Limassol (2011, 2012), at Venue Centre-Columbia Plaza (2015), at Terra Marre (2016) and at the Atlantica Miramare (2018).
Painting-Sculpting-Ceramics
On December 2009, a Charitable Gala Dinner was organised, under the title «Philema of the Soul» under the auspices of the honesty of Mr Neoklis Sylikiotis, Minister of Interior.
At the event the aims, visions and works of the Foundation were presented, while the works of the famous artist Michael Ebanoidze were auctioned, with the theme of Limassol dock, a trademark for Limassol. The dock is an ornament for the city landscape in Limassol and communicates the message that something that looks dirty and old at first sight could hide a primitive beauty, which though needs the right pair of eyes to be appreciated.
The visual arts are a basic factor in the whole psycho-pedagogical development of a human being, which is need of curiosity, recreation, joy, entertainment and self-expression. The man in general is interested in beauty, which is expressed in the art, as well as in beauty which is found in the nature. For this reason, the aesthetic development aims at enabling the individual to create beauty everywhere in their life, with their own art and most importantly with their behaviour. The visual arts are constantly feeding the individuals intelligence, raise their creativity which results in the acquisition of aesthetic experience. Furthermore, by participating in visual arts is achieving a smooth development and a harmonic inclusion in the social group in which it belongs.
Evangelos Papanoutsos in his work “Aesthetics” (1965) points out that aesthetics is a special relation between our soul and the world. The object of aesthetics is art, whose aim is the enrichment and intensity of our emotional life.
Charitable Visual Exhibition
Given all the above mentione, which are interrelated to the action and aims of the Foundation, KEPAKY, in cooperation with Michael Ebanoidze Art Studio & Gallery, organised on May 30, 2015 the opening of the Charitable Visual Exhibition.
The exhibition was under the auspies of the wife of President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mrs Andri Anastasiadi, who did the inauguration.
Fourty two famous artists participated in the event:
Aleksios Thelianides, Alexander Burchenko, Angel Mixailov, Anna Lazaridou, Anna Varela, Antonis Mousas, Cyprus Autistic Association, Demetris Lazarev, Demos Matsioukkou, Despo Sazou, Efthimios Avraaam, Elena Burnashiova, Filippos Yiapanis, George Lagidze, George Merabishvili, Iana Pashionina. Igor Varchenko, Irena Sigidova, Jean Georgiou, Lia Lapithi, Maria Demetriou, Maria Kella, Maria Mixail, Marina Turkadze, Marinos Kyriakou, Marios Varelas, Michael Ebanoidze, Mixalis Loizou, Natalia Krasnoshiok, Nataly Chakalina, Niki Kania, Nikos Kouroussis, Olga Karlson, Oria Petropoulou, Paco, Paparazzi, Piero, Skevi Paraskeva, Stelios Stylianou, Timotheos, Vanna Makariou, Victoria.
Art is not simply a resemplance of life, but its experience of it and its essence. It is a means for people to communicate with each other and for this reason the importance and the effect of it on the right and full education of a young individual is very important.
The art transforms the individual on the insight and carries it over to another level of life, forgetting the counterfeits of daily life. For all these reasons Kepaky is promoting visual arts and tries to bring people closer to each other and remove their blinkers, for their horizons to be expanded.
Artistic Competition “The Environment in our Hands”
Within the context of the campaign of the year 2016-2017, the Foundation organised activities for raising the environmental awareness, subject which is of utmost importance and concerns everyone. In this context it has announced the Pancyprian artistic competition with the subject: “The Environment in our Hands”. Young people from 15 to 20 years old participated with excellent, meaningful works of painting, photography, graffiti and short films.
The competition was under the auspices of Ministry of Education and Culture and many young people from all around Cyprus participated in it. The impact of the art on humans is redemptive and has pedagogical character, especially when it comes to young people.
Kepaky’s initiative was very important, since environmental messages were transmitted to young people through artistic, creative expression, which enables the development of critical thinking and reflection to young people for everything being carried out around them, which are directly of their consideration.
The works of the competition have been printed on paintings with the valuable help of ONEK (Youth Board of Cyprus) and they are displayed in various schools, municipalities, actions and festivals related to the environment. Until now, there has been an exhibition of the works atthe event on the Day of the Child and the Environment organised by the Municipality of Agios Ahanasios, at the NGO Festival of ONEK (Youth Board of Cyprus) at the Akropolis Park, at the Environmental and Recycling Festival in Limassol and at the Gymnasium of Zakaki. A full presentation of the works of art, the paintings, the graffiti and the short clips of the competition can be found on our website, under Galleries.. Furthermore, the results of the competition per category, can be found here.
Sculpture funding by Nikos Kouroussis
Mr Andreas Sofocleous, founder of the KEPAKY Foundation has funded in 2014 the work of Nikos Kouroussis “Minotaur” at the Sculpting Park of Nikos Kouroussis at Mitsero.
Inside the rising slope of the hill, a cube with an entrance has been dug out of the earth, resembling a Mycenaean vaulted tomb. The viewer sees through a glass surface the bronze statue of the kneeling Minotaur who has raised his bull’s head and looks at the roof of the closed cube. However, the cube is internally covered by mirrors so that the interior is in constant self-reflection offering refracted images of the human bull, while the exterior is also reflected allowing the viewers to see themselves inside the installation. Thus, a feeling is created of a closed and open, but also static and moving space, with the dominating sculpture leaving the viewers with a sense of awe, anxiety and expectation. Even though the cube is closed, the surface of the bronze sculpture gradually corrodes, having lost its initial lustre, while taking on a greenish patina and a softer texture; the feeling that time continuously interferes is accentuated, even when it appears that nothing is moving.
The aim of the funding of this work of art was the promotion of culture and art. The art in a public, outside space is very important for the enhancement of social cohesion and it created a feeling of connection with the community. Other than that, the art which is open to everyone, as it is in the case of the Sculpture Park of Nikos Kouroussis, can set up a link for people concentration. The art can contribute in the regeneration of an area and can have positive implications in health, in crime rate and education level at decentralised areas. For this reason, the funding of the sculpture in a public space, at the Park in Mitsero, a remote small community in Cyprus, is of utmost importance at local and national level.
Music
Night with Rembetika with Mario
On November 16, 2013, Kepaky sent a message of love and offering through a Night with Rembetika with the famous singer Mario,who has a long history at rembetika. The event was organised at the at the Saint George 1930 multi-site, where the sounds of music and people’s participation created an amazing atmosphere.
Rembetiko has its origins from folk songs of the Greek people of Asia Minor and of the Aegean islands, from the Turkish folk music, as well as from the Byzantine ecclesiastical music, merging in parallel elements from Arabic rhymes and Dionysian elements from ancient Greece.
Music donation
In addition to everything mentioned above, the dear Friend of Kepaky, Mr. Christos Christou, player of buzuki, donated his CD to KEPAKY, with all proceeds given to the noble aims of the Foundation.
This moving thought proves that music, similar to donation, has no boundaries and can have an impact to many people, creating a chain of solidarity.
Choir at the Christmas Charitable Tea Event
The Choir of the Cultural Group of AHK Electricity Authority, with Mr. Christos Alexandrou from Laiko Odeio, as a conductor, filled the Christmas Charitable Tea event on December 18, 2016,of KEPAKY with marvellous voices Christmas songs. The Choir added a beautiful and fun tone at the event just before Christmas.
Folk tradition – Customs, traditions and lore
For people’s awareness and sensitisation over the Foundation’s programme, for the first time it was organised by KEPAKY, in cooperation with the District Council of Pano Polemidia and the Cyprus Autism Association, a bazaar under the name “Joining Hands, Constructing Joy”, at the green space of Garden Theatre of Pano Polemidia on May 30, 2010.
Next year, on May 29, 2011 with great succes, the second “Joining Hands, Constructing Joy” bazaar was organised at the same place.
Many activities took place during the events, with the participation of social groups and local authorities. The event also had an artistic programme with dance performances from various schools in Limassol, such as Swing Latino, New Horizons Cultural Association, Hallmark International Dancing Center, Friends and Emigrants of Pelendri Association, etc.
A variety of other artists were present at the event, who were also responsible for children’s activities, such as Michael Ebadoindze on painting and Michaella Karagiorgi on ceramics. The participation of more than 100 volunteers in the events proves the recognition of the deeper meaning of social volunteerism and the value of selfless offering towards other people.
Cypriot Fest of KEPAKY “Joining Hands, Constructing Joy”
Next year, for a third consecutive time the Cypriot Fest of the Foundation was organised, on May 27, 2012, at Fytideio Athletic Center GSO, where children and adults had fun, joined hands with KEPAKY and got a taste of our local tradition. The event had a Cypriot traditional character and gave the opportunity to a lot of people to transmit, together with KEPAKY the message of volunteerism and offering to the fellow man.
The visitors enjoyed their time while strolling around the various, lovely kiosks that were set up on the area. At the kiosk of KEPAKY, one could get informed on social issues and could see an exhibition with pictures of the Foundation. Among others, the social slogan of the campaign against addictive substances “No to Drugs” was promoted, with the help of innovative stickers.
This event also included various activities and artistic acts, many of which have their origins on Cypriot tradition, such as music and dance schemes, traditional dances and songs. A traditional kiosk coffee shop with the breath-taking view of Limassol seaside was also set up, where the visitors enjoyed an artistic programme, in which the following groups participated: Singers of Lakis Polycarpou, Dance Schemes “New Horizons”, Limassol Folk Group and Friends and Emigrants of Pelendri Association.
Kepaky’s volunteer, Skevi Socratous, made a noble donation to the Foundation: she offered a beautiful painting for auction, from which all proceeds were given to the Foundation. The amazing painting with the grapes, a living tradition and trademark of Cypriot countryside, was another opportunity for people to support financially Kepaky’s work. In this way, the pleasure ones feel with the acquisition of a work of art is simultaneously denatured into a feeling of solidarity and support towards the fellow man. Many artists were present at the event, such as Michael Ebadoindze, who took over the kiosk for kid’s art for a third consecutive year.
An integral part of Cypriot folk tradition is the professions that Cypriots practiced for ages. Although they have gradually been displaced, these professions consist of an important element of Cypriot tradition. For this reason and through this event, KEPAKY attempted to bring young people closer to tradition and folk professions, through the organised activities, as well as through live demonstration of folk traditions.
In detail, the event included live demonstrations of lefkaritiko embroidery, chair knitting and basket weaving from the Pancyprian Organisation of the Blind and an exhibition with traditional objects in an improvised, open, folk museum. In addition to these, the children had the opportunity to occupy themselves in multiple activities, such as painting, ceramics and clay constructions, basketry, etc. which contributed in enhancing their knowledge of and their familiarisation with the traditional arts and the folk professions, which gradually tend to disappear in modern age.
The poetar, Mr. Dimitris Tziambazis from Aradippou, also participated in the event and the audience was carried away with his tsiattista and the poems’ recitation. His participation was of great importance for the fest and his tsiattista honoured the sponsors of our event.
The Tsiattista are one of the most vivid pieces of Cypriot folk poetic creation. They have an intensively social character, due to the bidirectional relationship between the poetars and the audience, which is actively participating in the composition of the tsiattista, either providing the theme, or with questions and answers.
Therefore, tsiattista consist of a powerful connecting social link, since they are contributing to entertainment and communication among people of all ages, adding quality and colour in a variety of events, just like in the case of the event organised by Kepaky.
Furthermore, the tsiattistta of Mr. Tziambazis referred to various social messages that KEPAKY promotes through its campaigns, such as the messages against the scourge of drugs and addictive substances, which was the central message of the event.
The fest’s visitors could find Cypriot traditional dishes and food, such as resi and souvlakia and sweets like pastellaki and soushiouko, traditional drinks, such as zivania and flowers that can be found in Cyprus.
Kepaky’s bazaars and fest have been a source of inspiration for the Foundation’s volunteer, Mrs. Angeles Kourapo from Mexico, for creating well-known, traditional Mexican games, such as Piñata, to bring joy to our little and older friends, while at the same time adding a multicultural tone in the events. Because fun, joy and most importantly offering and solidarity, know no cultural boundaries.
Through these events, KEPAKY managed not only to raise awareness to the wider public regarding the meaning of social volunteerism, but also to promote the culture of our country, the folks and customs and the meaning of family.
The Cypriot Fest was honoured with the presence of many politicians, such as the Mayor of Limassol Mr. Andreas Christou and the event was under his auspices.
Tavli/Backgammon tournament
On October 8, 2017, fun met social contribution at the café Theatraki and the Solidarity and Love Event of KEPAKY Foundation, under the auspices of Limassol Municipality, was crowned with great success!
The event included among others a tavli competition, aiming at bringing the older generation closer to the younger one through the game of the traditional coffee-shops of our place.
The people’s and volunteers’ contribution who stood by the Foundation’s side was remarkable and moving.
In the event there were also traditional products, a 3D model of a vrakas for pictures and traditional games to bring everyone closer to tradition and our cultural richness.
The creative occupation of the children was taken over by artists such as Eleni Evlavi, with creations that aimed at the familiarisation of children with the Cypriot traditional clothing through art, and crafters, such as Mary Christoforou, with creations that disseminated environmental messages.
Excursion to Eleouthkia Park
A man’s connection with nature and tradition is an excellent means of reinforcing the bond with humans and enhances the social cohesion and social well-being.
Given this, which is in line with the overall contribution and services of the Foundation, KEPAKY organised on Sunday, June 1st, 2015 a charitable excursion to Eleouthkia Park, where the attendees had the opportunity to visit the folklore museum of the Park and watch dance schemes of traditional dances, such as “tatsia”.
During the excursion, not only the attendees came closer to nature, but even more close to tradition and the Cypriot culture, which enhances the notion of human identity and conduces to their self-identification in society and the world around them. The children had the opportunity to participate in interactive experiences with pottery and using the clay and to stroll around the botanic park and discover crops and plants from numerous countries of the world. Like the majority of the Foundation’s events, this one as well aimed at reinforcing the bonds among the family members.
Support to cultural events
Kepaky, from its early years, has been a cultural ambassador, supporting multiple cultural actions.
In detail, Kepaky was the Main Sponsor of the concert held by George Dalaras at Pelendri (2008), which aimed at the resources collection for reforestation after the great fires in the area, it contributed to the restoration of the Greek Folklore Museum of Mariupol (2008) and was a sponsor of the big show held by the Limassol Folk Group for its 40 years celebration event (2018). In parallel, it has given study aids to the students of the Mariupol State University for Greek Language excellence, a deed which contributes to the dissemination of Hellenism to the world.
The Foundation has also funded various other cultural acts, such as the Cultural Group “Diastasi” (2009), the Mitropanos concert (2009) and the theatrical performance Ek Drasis-Ulysses (2010).