CYPRECO CONTINUES ITS MISSION OF SERVICING THE CULTURAL NEEDS
OF GREEK AND GREEK CYPRIOT AMERICAN IMMIGRANTS
From July 5, 2022 to June 25, 2023, CYPRECO televised on AKTINA TV for the benefit of Greek and Greek Cypriot American immigrants, 34 new mini documentaries from the series, “Greek Horizons.” The presentation of these documentaries contributed to our ongoing mission and commitment of servicing and helping Greek and Greek Cypriot American immigrants preserve their rich history and culture which is very unique to them.
With an average duration of 15 minutes each, our documentaries aired every Sunday within the weekly broadcasts of AKTINA TV on WNYE Channel 25 reaching over 550,000 immigrants from the Greek and Greek Cypriot American community in the New York Metropolitan area, while they were also very much enjoyed by the rest of AKTINA TV’s viewers comprised by members of the general audience from different ethnic groups and backgrounds.
Presented mainly in English as well as with close captioning for the hearing impaired and with English sub-titles when Greek was spoken, these new mini documentaries took the viewers on a very unique journey which explored and highlighted the Greek history and culture over time. With a variety of topics, some documentaries focused on the present preserved Greek culture which continues to thrive, while others analyzed with great detail the various contributions the Greeks have made with their discoveries over the centuries, including the impact and even the dominance these discoveries hold in today’s world in various fields, e.g., governance, politics, philosophy, education, medicine, tools of medicine, athletics, ancient Olympics, among other.
Read more: New Documentaries From the Series "Greek Horizons"
CYPRECO's DOCUMENTARIES SHOWCASED UNIQUE FOLK CRAFTS
AND THE GRIFFON VULTURE OF CYPRUS
AKTINA FM CONTINUES TO BE A LEADING CULTURAL VOICE FOR CYPRUS AND GREECE
Under the title, “Ancient Cultural Monuments of Cyprus,” CYPRECO successfully televised from September 4, 2022 to January 15, 2023 within the weekly broadcasts of AKTINA TV on WNYE Channel 25, the documentaries, “Cyprus Medieval Glazed Pottery,” "The Weavers of Cyprus” and "The Griffon Vulture of Cyprus."
The well-received and much anticipated documentaries were broadcasted within the established series, “Cyprus Its History and Culture Through The Ages.” Some 1M viewers from AKTINA TV’s already established audience in the New York Metropolitan area comprised by Greek Cypriot Americans, Greek Americans and New Yorkers of all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds of all ages were introduced to the centuries-old arts and crafts only unique to Cyprus as well as to the history of the Griffon Vulture, one of the most distinct and largest birds of the Mediterranean island.
Read more: New Televised Documentaries & AKTINA FM Radio Continue to Promote The Rich Culture of Cyprus
CYPRECO OFFERS TWO NEW FREE CONCERTS FOR THE BENEFIT
OF YOUNG CHILDREN AND SENIORS IN THE ASTORIA COMMUNITY
Watch the AKTINA TV Full Report and Coverage
On March 10, 2022, CYPRECO of America, Inc., presented two new benefit performances bringing unique entertainment to young children and seniors in the Astoria community following two years of severe lockdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic. The concerts were given at the Broccoli Drama Theater and the recipients were young students who attend the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens (VBGCQ) and residents of the nearby Vallone Family Senior Residence in the Astoria neighborhood. A similar performance was given a week earlier on March 3rd at the HANAC Senior Center also in Astoria, New York.
All three events were part of a series of free concerts offered by CYPRECO in March 2022 with a purpose of bringing joy through the power of Greek music to vulnerable and low income members of the Astoria community of different ethnic groups, backgrounds and ages who suffered the most during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Furthermore, to support local Greek American musicians who also suffered during the pandemic by not being able to perform. CYPRECO selected the Fantasia Music Group lead by bouzouki soloist and maestro Mike Stoupakis in a repertoire covering the Rembetika and Laika, two of the most distinct and representative music genres which are exclusive to Greece. The songs were performed by the multi-talented singers, Demetris Halaris, and Serafim Lazos. Mr. Lazos, who is also a songwriter and guitarist, is a legendary Greek American artist whose contributions to Greek music span over four decades.
Read more: CYPRECO New Free Concerts For Young People and Seniors
CYPRECO's FREE CONCERT BRINGS JOY AND ENTERTAINMENT
TO SENIORS AT THE HANAC SENIOR CENTER IN ASTORIA
Watch the AKTINA TV Full Report and Coverage
On March 3, 2022, CYPRECO of America, Inc., entertained seniors at the HANAC Harmony JVL Innovative Senior Center with a benefit concert featuring Greek music and songs bringing them exceptional joy following two years of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Seniors danced throughout the two hour performance under the sounds of the bouzouki, the leading instrument of Greek music.
The concert which also kicked off CYPRECO’s live performances following the severe lockdowns, was the first of a series of free concerts the organization is offering in March 2022 with a sole purpose of bringing joy and entertainment to vulnerable and low income members of the Astoria community, such as seniors and young people who have suffered the most during the pandemic. Two additional concerts taking place on March 10th are given at the Brocoli Drama Theater in Astoria, New York. The first to benefit young people at the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens and the second for the Seniors of the Vallone Family Senior Residence.
Read more: CYPRECO Kicks Off Its Live Performances With A Free Concert For Seniors
CYPRECO LAUNCHED DOCUMENTARIES THAT HIGHLIGHTED
UNIQUE ASPECTS OF THE RICH CULTURE OF GREECE THAT IS REPRESENTATIVE
TO GREEK AND GREEK CYPRIOT IMMIGRANTS
In July 2021, CYPRECO expanded its collaboration with AKTINA TV broadcasting on WNYE-CH. 25 in New York and televised a series of exceptional original mini-documentaries which highlighted and examined different aspects of the Greek culture and history from antiquity to present times. This expanded collaboration with AKTINA TV aims to support Greek and Greek Cypriot American immigrants preserve their ancestral history, folklore and culture which is very unique to them and also promote these to the general public.
From July 4, 2021 to June 26, 2022, at the comfort of their home, over 350,000 Greek and Greek Cypriot Americans enjoyed our new folk arts mini documentaries from the series, “Greek Horizons” along with over 650,000 New Yorkers from all other ethnic groups who also comprise AKTINA TV’s long established loyal audience. Starting from antiquity and reaching the present, each of the documentaries covered in depth different topics which highlighted the long and sustained course of Greek history, folklore and culture. They were broadcasted in English and with English sub-titles when Greek was spoken and also included English close captioning for hearing impaired.
Read more: Documentaries From The Series "Greek Horizons"
CYPRECO CONTINUES TO ENLIGHTEN NEW YORKERS ABOUT THE RICH
FOLKLORE AND CULTURE OF CYPRUS WITH TELEVISED DOCUMENTARIES
Continuing its mission and commitment of promoting unique aspects of the culture of Cyprus for the benefit of Greek Cypriot Americans, Greek Americans and of all New Yorkers from different ethnic groups and backgrounds, CYPRECO televised from the series, “Cyprus Its History and Culture Through The Ages” new documentaries FY21 and FY22.
As announced, from October 31, 2021 to March 6, 2022, CYPRECO televised documentaries on three different topics within the highly broadcasts of AKTINA TV on WNYE Ch. 25. They included: “The Folk Poets of Cyprus,” highlighting six different distinguished folk poets and their contributions to the preservation and enrichment of the island’s folk poetry. The “Cyprus Medieval Castles,” examining the history and structural importance of these surviving monuments which date back to the Crusaders and Richard the Lionheart (1191-1489AD) and “Excavating Salamis 1952-1974,” documenting the discovery of this ancient City-State founded by Teucer, son of Telamon who settled in Cyprus after the Trojan war. The excavations at Salamis which began in 1952 and which were abruptly suspended in 1974 following the Turkish invasion and subsequent occupation of northern Cyprus, constitute the most important chapters of the archaeological excavations on the Mediterranean island which shed light to its rich history since antiquity.
Read more: New Series of Documentaries Promote The Culture of Cyprus
CYPRECO's MINI-DOCUMENTARIES TELEVISED ON AKTINA TV
VERY WELL RECEIVED AND PRAISED BY VIEWERS FOR THE ORIGINALITY AND CONTENT
The global pandemic that struck the world in 2020 ruined almost everyone’s plans well into 2021. Organizations such as CYPRECO had no other choice but to cancel all live performances that where planned for many months, even years prior, to comply with government health and safety guidelines and protocols. Since physical contact has been limited, we found a way to continue our folk arts activities FY20 and FY21 by televising them within the highly broadcasts of AKTINA TV, a non-profit and commercial-free television show airing on New York’s public station WNYE Channel 25 which covers the entire Tri-state area of New York. The programs televised FY21 included four different unique mini-documentaries highlighting the culture of Cyprus, some of which were presented several years prior before a live audience at the Stathakion Cultural Center in Astoria, New York. Considering AKTINA TV's huge audience of over 950,000 in the Tri-state area of New York, we felt that it was very beneficial to reach these viewers and share with them these amazing documentaries. The positive feedback we have received is exceptional.
Read more: Four Televised Mini-Documentaries Highlighting the Culture of Cyprus
OVERWHELMING VIEWER RESPONSE
FOR CYPRECO's TELEVISED PRESENTATION OF THE MINI-DOCUMENTARY
"THE ANCIENT CHURCH AND MONASTERY OF AGIOS NIKOLAOS"
The COVID-19 pandemic crisis which began in early 2020 changed dramatically the lives of all. Many non-profit organizations such as CYPRECO of America, Inc., who service large audiences had to re-evaluate and re-think how they can best still carry on with their pre-scheduled activities without putting anyone health at risk. As the number one priority of CYPRECO is everyone's health safety and well being, the organization televised the Agios Nikolaos mini-documentary instead of presenting it before a live audience on June 4, 2020 as it was originally announced. Just few weeks later, on Sunday, June 21, 2020, CYPRECO televised the mini-documentary within the weekly broadcast of the highly rated television show, AKTINA TV airing on WNYE Channel 25 in New York City. With this quick alternative solution, CYPRECO safeguarded its audience but also fully complied with all government health safety guidelines including social distancing.
Read more: The Ancient Church & Monastery of Agios Nikolaos
