New York, N.Y., — The Testimonial Dinner organized by FCAO - the leading organization dedicated to promoting Greek Cypriot cultural heritage in the United States—was co-chaired by His Excellency Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Cyprus, and His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.
Stelios Papadopoulos Ph.D. was bestowed with the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize his extraordinary lifetime achievements and philanthropy. In his speech, Dr. Stelios Papadopoulos recounted his first years in the United States and the close ties he developed with the Greek Cypriot community while playing soccer with the United Cyprians of America and other Greek Cypriot teams.
The event was attended by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, the First Lady of Cyprus, and many dignitaries, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, the Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry Natasa Pilides, Cyprus Government Spokesman Marios Pelekanos, Ambassador of Greece to the United States Alexandra Papadopoulou, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the United States Marios Lysiotis, Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the U.N. Ambassador Andreas Hadjichrysanthou, Ambassadors Andreas Mavroyiannis, Koula Sofianou, and Thessalia Siambou, Consul General of Greece in New York Dr. Konstantinos Koutras, and the Consul General of the Republic of Cyprus in New York Michalis Firillas.
The event chairman was Mr. Nicos Paphitis, and the Mistress of Ceremonies was Ms. Anna Savva.
Addressing the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, the President of FCAO, Mr. Kyriacos Papastylianou, expressed his satisfaction with the President's speech at the U.N. General Assembly, welcoming "the initiatives to break the deadlock." "Mr. President, in your speech at the General Assembly today, you highlighted Turkey's absurdities, aspirations, and setbacks to what was agreed. We know and welcome the initiatives and proposals you submit to overcome the impasse and your determination for the island's reunification. You have our support, and we will always be by your side," said Mr. Papastylianou, who, regarding Dr. Papadopoulos, noted that "the Federation honors a distinguished scientist, a Greek immigrant, the father of Biotechnology, as he is known."
In his speech, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, expressed his emotion and pride attending the Federations' annual Testimonial Dinner for the eighth year in person, noting the unfavorable developments in the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem and emphasizing the need for the Greek Cypriot side to stand up to the circumstances.
Federation of Cypriot American Organizations
Tel. (516) 399-2295
Email: info@fcaousa.org
