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Last Sunday, the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations (FCAO) held its annual testimonial dinner. It was attended by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, both chairperson of the event. This year’s honorees were Panos A. Panay, President of the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Awards and Dr. Marina Theodotou, Executive Director of the Center for Frontier AI Security.
“Tonight, basking in the afterglow of the just-concluded visit to the United States of the Leader and Spiritual Father of our worldwide Hellenic Γένος, the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations has gathered once again, to celebrate distinguished members of the Cypriot Omogeneia, and to remember – with a fierce and passionate commitment – the cause and the mission for peace, equity, and justice in Cyprus,” Archbishop Elpidophoros said in his speech.
Panay, who was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award has been widely recognized for his leadership and innovation in the global music industry, including his pioneering work as founder of Sonicbids and his leadership in roles at Berklee College of Music and the Recording Academy.
Dr. Theodotou was presented with the Leadership Award for her over 30 years of experience in defense, finance, and innovation policy. This includes her service as Executive Director of the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Board, where she shaped U.S. defense strategy on emerging technologies.
“Through your commitment, you extend Cyprus’s voice far beyond our borders, making sure that our cause, our values and our aspirations are hit in the centers of decision making,” Cypriot President Christodoulides said. “Both of you serve as an outstanding ambassador of Cyprus and I warmly congratulate you. We are very proud of you. Your achievements exemplify the Federation’s mission and inspire all of us to continue working with determination and vision.”
The remarkable success of the distinguished Cypriots, the recipients of the awards, embody the achievements of this community in America, President Kyriacos Papastylianou of the FCAO remarked.
“Fifty-one years since the invasion of Cyprus, and still 37 percent of the island, the Republic of Cyprus, as a member of the European Union, member of the United Nations, is still under occupation. Not a single inch has come back to the territory of Cyprus. Not a single refugee has returned,” Kyriacos said. “The work continues, the hope and the truth, and the dream for a free Cyprus will never die.”
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