London Greek Radio

An eight year-old British Cypriot girl, Saffie Rose Roussos (pictured), has been named   as one of the 22 victims of the suicide bombing attack last night at Manchester Arena.

Lancashire County Council confirmed that the British Cypriot school girl was killed at the end of the concert by Ariana Grande that she went with her mother Lisa and her older sister Ashlee Bromwich. Both were later found injured in separate hospitals.

Chris Upton, the headteacher at Tarleton Community primary school, that Saffie attended said that she was “simply a beautiful little girl in every aspect of the word. She was loved by everyone and her warmth and kindness will be remembered fondly. Saffie was quiet and unassuming with a creative flair.”

Article written by LGR

Cyprus Foreign Ministry has announced that so far there is no information about Cypriot citizens among the victims of the attack in Manchester. In a statement issued on Tuesday the MFA says that is closely monitoring the situation and is in close contact with the British authorities via the High Commission of the Republic in London.

The Foreign Ministry calls on Cypriot citizens who are in Great Britain, especially in Manchester, or who plan to travel there to follow the media and the instructions of the British authorities carefully.

The High Commission in London is available to provide assistance to Cypriot citizens. For more information and consular assistance, Cypriots can contact the following numbers, especially if they have not communicated with their relatives.

Cyprus High Commission:
Address:
13 street, Jame`s Square,
SW1Y 4LB London
United Kingdom
Working hours :
09:00 – 16:30, Monday – Friday
Contact info:
Fixed telephone: +44 2073214100-10
Mobile phone (excluding work hours): +447470367047, +447435010941
Fax: +442073214164
E-mail address: cyprusinuk@mfa.gov.cy

In the event of an emergency and / or consular need, Cypriot citizens can also communicate with the following numbers:

Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (excluding working hours)
Tel. +35799660129
E-mail address: dutyofficer@mfa.gov.cy

Department of Crisis Management of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tel. +35722801000, +35797775998
E-mail address: cycc@mfa.gov.cy

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Cyprus’ strong GDP growth is credit positive for Cypriot banks because it will strengthen their clients’ capacity to restructure and service their high levels of distressed debt, according to Moody’s credit outlook.

Last Tuesday, the Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus announced that its flash estimate for the country’s annual GDP growth rate in first-quarter 2017 was 3.3%, the highest in Cyprus since 2008.

Additionally, Moody’s points out that the growth will support real estate collateral values, on which Cypriot banks rely heavily for most lending, and increase new lending opportunities that will support banks’ declining net interest income.

At the same time Moody’s estimates that the acceleration in economic activity will strengthen businesses’ cash flows and improve labour market conditions for households.

“Ultimately, the higher growth will enhance borrowers’ debt affordability and repayment capacity, facilitating loan restructurings, particularly in the small and midsize enterprise sector, which is more vulnerable to economic changes and benefits from an economic recovery, albeit with a lag”, says the report.

Moody’s also expect banks’ asset quality to continue to improve, in line with the accelerating growth trend and banks’ restructuring initiatives.
Bank of Cyprus, is expected to gain the most, given that it has the largest direct exposure to domestic real estate.

Additionally, Moody’s expect Cyprus’ improving economy to create new lending opportunities for banks and ease the decline of interest rates that banks charge on loans.

The report says that if sustained, the country’s performance will exceed the 2.7% real GDP growth forecast for 2017. It adds that notwithstanding the improving economic environment, it will take time for Cypriot banks to rehabilitate their balance sheets because of the long cure periods for restructured loans before they are reclassified as performing, and substantial volumes of distressed debt with system -wide problem loans at 49% of gross loans as of September 2016.

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London Greek Radio are delighted to welcome their newest sponsor to the LGR airwaves.

As of this Friday 19th May, iconic dairy brand DODONI will be sponsoring radio presenter Panagiotis Balalas during his Friday show, which airs every week between 6-8pm

DODONI S.A. was founded in 1963, counting 54 years of authentic tradition and history. The company based in Ioannina produces authentic, purely Greek dairy and cheese products, using 100% Greek cow’s, goat’s and sheep’s milk collected daily by an expanded network of 5,000 Greek producers, mainly active in the region of Epirus.

With more than 10,000 selling points in Greece and export activity in 43 countries, DODONI has 9 categories of dairy and cheese products and produces 80 distinct products. This truly authentic Greek brand is distinguished for its taste, quality and their 100% Greek identity.

Now DODONI will not only be known for their exceptional Feta cheese, but for their collaboration with our station to bring you the best Greek hits (as well as the best Greek cheeses).

We, Greeks, have many reasons to be proud of. One of them is our feta. A cheese so special and unique that has become famous all over the world.

If you are a fan of Feta (and frankly who isn’t) Dodoni explain why every cheese lover needs to give their brand of feta a try:

“DODONI feta, using exclusively 100% greek pasteurized goat’s and sheep’s milk, that arrives every day in our premises even from the most distant farms.

DODONI feta, with its unique taste and nutrition value, has gained worldwide recognition for its high quality. That’s why it has won so many local and international awards, plus a place in tables around the world.”

For more information about DODONI and their products, visit their website dodoni.eu/en

If you love to cook with Feta, just as much as you love to eat it, then be sure to visit a special little corner of the DODONI website where they offer their unique cheese based recipes: Click here to visit their “brunch” section, which should be enough to whet the appetite and flare the creativity of any aspiring chefs.

Article written by London Greek Radio

Dimitris Basis was born in Stuttgart. His parents lived in Germany for some years. He went to Greece for the first time at the age of eight when his entire family returned to Herso, a small village in Northern Greece.

At the age of nine, he started chanting the liturgy in the local church and three years later he began to study Byzantine music. He gained his diploma at the age of seventeen. At the same time he used to sing at many cultural celebrations.

When he was twenty years old just after his first steps in professional singing he was discovered by Stamatis Kraounakis and Warner Music company who immediately offered him a contract. For three continuous seasons he was singing with Alkistis Protopsalti, Stamatis Kraounakis and Lina Nikolakopoulou, and wrote history due to his musical performances under the music director Andreas Voutsinas.

Since then he has worked with collaborated with many well known singers, song-writers and composers such as Christos Nikolopoulos, Lina Nikolakopoulou, Dimitra Galani, Manolis Lidakis, Haris Alexiou, Yiannis Kotsiras, Stavros Xarhakos, Eleni Tsaligopoulou, Mikis Theodorakis, Maria Farantouri, Pashalis Terzis and Dimitris Mitropanos.

In the summer of 2003, he took part in a dedication to the poet Yiannis Ritsos –throughout Greece- with the “Mikis Theodorakis” Orchestra. The poems (“Epitaphios, Romiosini, Ta Dekaohto Lianotragouda tis Pikris Patridas, I Piites tou Kosmou) were composed by Mikis Theodorakis.

In May 2005, he took part in the celebrations in honour of the eightieth birthday of the famous composer Mikis Theodorakis. The titles of the songs which he sang were “The Songs of Passion and Love”. These celebrations took place during the “Greek Festival” in Herod Atticus Odeon.

In the same year’s summer he departed for the first time on a successful solo tour at selected cities around Greece.

We will be lucky to see him, performing live his latest great hits.

The Regency Banqueting Suite,
113 Bruce Grove,
London N17 6UR

Tickets: £60, £70, £80.

For tickets contact:
Property Zone: 020 8888 5558
Geek City: 020 8889 0186
Aristos: 07956 485 885

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 “To Kalitero Paidi” Yiannis Ploutarchos will be headlining the 35th CyWineFest at Lee Valley Athletics Centre, for what promises to be a spectacular bank holiday weekend!

For stands and tickets please telephone the offices of the Parikiaki on 020 8341 5853

Doors open at 12:30 – 23:00 on Sunday 28th and Bank Holiday Monday 29th May 2017.

With almost a thousand free car parking spaces, you won’t need to worry about parking the car. There are also public transport links as the venue is sandwiched between Angel road and Ponders End stations. Alternatively, the W8 bus route starting at Chase Farm via Enfield Town and terminates directly opposite venue.

Lee Valley Athletics Centre,

61 Meridian Way,

London N9 0AR

 

Tickets: London Ticket Box

Ticket Hotline: Christina – 07904537181

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On Thursday 22nd June | 7:30PM – DESPINA VANDI WILL BE LIVE IN LONDON

 

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Despina Vandi is considered one of the top Greek and International performers in the world. Beginning her career in 1994, for more than 2 decades she has achieved record sales on her multi-platinum recordings, racked up 25 awards, boasts ten international releases and a Billboard No. 1 as she won the US Billboard Hot Dance Airplay with her album “Geia!” (“Hello!”). She is indeed one of Greece’s largest and most loved commercial exports.

 

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Despina received her first major award in 2000 from the director of Virgin Megastores, London, for the success of her CD single “Ypofero” (“I Am Suffering”), as the best-selling CD of all time in Greece. In 2001, for her album “Geia!” (which went 4 times Platinum within just eleven days) she won World’s Best Selling Artist at the World Music Awards held in Monte Carlo, marking the first time this was awarded to a Greek artist. For the same album and tracks from it, she received prestigious accolades from Portugal and Russia. Despina followed up with more multi-platinum discs, sold-out concerts in Europe, America and Australia, collaborations with international DJs and world-renowned producers such as Armand Van Helden, Milk & Sugar, Nick Skitz, Roger Sanchez and German electronic impresario, Schiller.

 

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Despina Vandi is also a star of the small screen, starting in 1999, in the role of Haroula, in the television series “Two Foreigners” which received raving reviews at the time. In 2013 and in 2014, together with Greek actor Giorgos Kapoutzidis, Despina co-hosted the Greek final song selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. Later, in 2016, she hosted the 6th “MadWalk” (MAD TV) with resounding success! Despina Vandi was one of the four “legend” coaches in the TV talent show “The Voice” of Greece (2014-2015), and was the winner coach in the first year. She returned to the judging panel for a new format primetime TV talent show “Rising Star” of Greece.

 

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From the small screen to the stage, and her participation in the hit musical MAMMA MIA was her first step into musical-theater. Despina Vandi, interpreting her role as Donna Sheridan, grabbed headline reviews and won the hearts of critics and audiences alike, opening a new chapter to her multidimensional and highly successful artistic career.

 

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EVENT INFO

Stalls – seated with mezze dinner £175 (*please note these are sharing tables – 14 people per table)

Balcony seated no mezze £75

Balcony standing (no mezze) £50

All tickets include a welcome glass of champagne.

 

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TIMINGS

Doors 7pm

Dinner served for stalls ticket holders 7.30pm

Support act 9pm

Despina 10pm – 1am (with a half hour interval)

Balcony ticket holders are advised to arrive at 8.30pm.

 

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TICKETS

Hippodrome Casino <<< Click Here

 

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AGE

STRICTLY OVER 18’s | ID REQUIRED

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Last night Cyprus and Greece celebrated qualifying through to this Saturday night’s Eurovision Song Contest final. This year’s Eurovision will be held in Kyiv, Ukraine, at the International Exhibition Centre IEC.

Demy (representing Greece) and Hovig (representing Cyprus) made it to the Top 10 qualifying songs after enduring a very competitive semi-final phase. The semi-final rankings will not be announced publicly until after this weekend’s Eurovision final, which maximises fans’ suspense.

It is a result which spelt the Greek’s return to the contest’s final after last year’s very early exit. It’s a solid come-back, for this country who’s always qualified except that minor-blip, which we can now begin to erase from our memories.

Demy looked absolutely stunning in her pale outfit as she performed her song ‘This is love’. It’s a progressively up-tempo track which is catchy and radio-friendly. The track was composed by Eurovision veteran Dimitris Kontopoulos, with creative staging by Fokas Evangelinos, the Greek’s dynamic Eurovision team.

The 25-year-old Greek pop singer seemed to enjoy her time on the stage, joined by her dancers Iasonas Mandilas and Paris Paraskevadis-Planets. She was also accompanied by off-stage backing-vocalists Erasmia Markidi, Evgenia Liakou, and Marcus Giakoumoglou. For those who missed it, we can confirm it was a very slick and well rehearsed performance.

Cypriot singer Hovig also celebrated a successful night. His performance involved an excellent staging concept which complimented his song greatly. He performed a modern radio-friendly track with electronic beats, written by Thomas G:Son, a well-known Swedish composer and producer in Eurovision circles.

28-years-old Hovig, a Cypriot artist of Armenian heritage, shows he was proud to have this chance to fly the Cypriot flag. The Cypriot broadcaster internally selected Hovig and G:son for this year’s Cypriot song.

Hovig was vocally very solid and interacted well with his dancers Marios Charalambous and Pavlos Lazarou Kertepene. The artist seemed relaxed and sung his cool song, mastering the stage’s full width to tell us his story, about gravity.

The Cypriot artistic director Charis Savva put much effort in to make sure he nailed the performance, and clearly it worked extremely well. The Cypriot’s have pulled out all the stops to be noticed and they were.

Greece and Cyprus confirmed they will be performing second-half draw for the final, with 26 countries competing. Demy and Hovig have to wait till Thursday to find out the other qualifiers. What we know for certain is that they have earned their place next to the big 5 automatic placers: the UK, Spain, France, Germany and Italy in the final this weekend.

The Eurovision Song Contest Final airs this Saturday at 8 pm UK time; you can follow it live on BBC 1.

For those who missed the first semi final, you can catch the Top 10 qualifiers being revealed, here:

Article written by Tony Neophytou

The National Federation of Cypriots in the UK calls on the Cypriot community to vote and make their voice heard in the General Election on Thursday 8 June.

Federation President, Christos Karaolis said: “The UK Cypriot community must make its voice heard during this election campaign. I urge all Cypriots firstly to ask their candidates to pledge their support for Cyprus; secondly to join and engage with the political party that is most aligned with their views; and most importantly to go out and vote for 8th June. I would also like to ask the community to ensure they encourage their friends and family to do the same.”

How you can help:

Vote for candidates who have demonstrated support for Cyprus

There are candidates standing for election who are supporters of Cyprus and our community. We must ensure that these candidates, from all political parties, are elected by casting our votes and having our voice heard. These candidates have asked questions and spoken about Cyprus in Parliament; attended and supported our events; actively shown that they support a free, united Cyprus based upon a just and viable solution to the Cyprus Issue; and have campaigned against the Turkish occupation.

We must also support these candidates, from across the political spectrum, by campaigning for them. There are ongoing campaign events for our parliamentary friends over the coming weeks. If you would like to join any of these campaign events, please email us at enquiries@cypriotfederation.org.uk

We call upon all Cypriots to go out and vote on June 8th to ensure that these candidates are elected. We must make our community’s voice heard and show our support for these candidates with our votes.

 

Ask candidates to pledge their support for Cyprus

Given the ongoing negotiations in Cyprus, this election we will also be asking parliamentary candidates to sign the Cyprus Pledge Card.

We need your support to collect candidates’ signatures. Please contact your local candidates and ask them to sign the pledge card by emailing their support enquiries@cypriotfederation.org.uk and/or tweeting their support to @UKCypriotFed using #Vote4Cyprus. Draft emails and a picture of the Cyprus Pledge Card can be found on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/UKCypriotFed and on our website: www.cypriotfederation.org.uk

We will be updating our Facebook page as well as our Twitter page (@UKCypriotFed) with the names of candidates that have signed the pledge card on an ongoing basis. We will also publish the full list of signatures in community media closer to the election.

Write to your local candidates about Cyprus

We are also asking the community to write to local parliamentary candidates about the Cyprus issue and engage with them directly on the Cyprus issue. Draft letters can be found on our website.

Voting Information

To vote in the upcoming election you must be registered to vote. Registering to vote is a simple and easy process – more information can be found below. You must be registered by Monday 22 May and you can register to vote by visiting the following website: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

 

If you are unsure about which constituency you are in, the BBC has a useful webpage that allows you to enter your postcode and shows you your constituency, current MP and the results from the previous election: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies

 

For information on alternative ways to vote please visit the websites below:

Postal vote: https://www.yourvotematters.co.uk/how-do-i-vote/voting-by-post

Proxy vote: https://www.gov.uk/voting-in-the-uk/voting-by-proxy

 

EVERY CYPRIOT VOTE COUNTS – OUR VOTE IS OUR VOICE

 

 

 

 

 

Article written by LGR/NFC

Greek Cypriot Roula Violaris and members of her Think Zumba class managed to raise £4000 for cancer patients after completing last Sunday a 8.5 mile sponsored walk.

The Think Zumba group covered the distance by passing through parks from East Finchley to Westminster as part of a North London Hospise Fun Walk.

The Think Zumba group was established six years  ago in Barnet by Roula Violaris, daughter of LGR’s long-established presenter Soula Violaris.

“Unfortunately we have all lost someone close to us from cancer and we saw the North London Hospice as an appropriate charity to raise funds for, to help patients become more comfortable whilst having terminal cancer.” Roula Violaris told the Hendon and Finchley Times.

Article written by lgr.co.uk