Barnet FC’s London Cypriot Antonis Vasiliou has signed his first professional contract with the club.
The young Cypriot midfielder joined the club’s academy at a young age and has gone onto to make two appearances from the bench for the Bees first team, all of which came in April 2019.
The Bees academy graduate was delighted to agree his first professional deal.
He said: “I’m really happy, I am really glad to sign, it feels like it’s been a long time coming and I am looking forward to starting the new season.
“The club has given me a few opportunities to express myself and I feel like I have learned a lot over the past few years.”
“I have been working hard in the off-season and I can’t wait to meet up with the boys again. I’m raring to go.”
Darren Currie, who has seen Vasiliou progress through the Academy, was full of praise for the Barnet youngster.
He said: “Antonis is a wonderful player with a box of tricks; we think very highly of him.
“He’s clearly showed huge potential in the youth team last season and earned one or two opportunities to train with the first team and he lived up to expectation.
“He did very well when he was given the opportunity toward the back end of last season and we’re delighted to agree a deal with him today.
“He’s got a big future in the game.”
The 18-year-old will join up with Darren Currie and the rest of the first team squad for pre-season ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.
Article written by Barnet FC
Hollywood actor and filmmaker Nicolas Cage arrived in Cyprus this month to begin filming his new movie, “Jiu Jitsu.”
The film, from Dimitri Logothetis, will be shot entirely in Cyprus.
“Jiu Jitsu,” a sci-fi martial arts movie, will involve Nicolas Cage having to fight against a super-strong alien which comes to Earth on a mission to destroy. The cast includes Frank Grillo, Alain Moussi, Rick Yune, Marie Avgeropoulos and JuJu Chan.
It will be the first high profile production under recent incentives aiming to establish Cyprus as a filming destination under the name Olivewood.
The €24.6 million film will be shot entirely in Cyprus, taking advantage of a programme that gives productions the option to choose between cash rebate or tax credit, and also benefit from tax discounts on investments made on equipment and infrastructure. The cash rebate programme is a rebate of 25-30 percent on eligible expenditure.
The film’s producer and director Demetris Logothetis told CyBC TV that he already has plans to shoot a second film on the island written by Gary Scott Thompson of Fast and Furious fame.
The entire film will be shot in two Cypriot villages near the capital of Nicosia.
The villages of Mammari and Lympia will host the crew of the production team, and their surrounding landscapes will provide the entire backdrop of the movie.
The area of Mammari is home to some breath-taking limestone caves, something that makes it ideal for shooting this type of movie, with its dramatic themes of an alien takeover.
According to reports, the filming on Cyprus will last for approximately three weeks.
Cage received an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award for his performance as an alcoholic Hollywood writer in Leaving Las Vegas (1995).
Here’s to many more movies made in OLIVEWOOD… so very Cypriot!
Article written by London Greek Radio
Former Cypriot President Demetris Christofias died on Friday 21st June at Nicosia General Hospital, a month after he was hospitalised for acute breathing problems. He was 72.
Earlier on Friday his doctor, Michalis Minas told the Cyprus News Agency that the former president died at 5:36 pm local time.
Christofias served a single five-year term as Cyprus’ sixth President from 2008 until 2013.
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades confirmed his predecessor’s death expressing “deep sorrow.” Anastasiades said he and Christofias may have been on divergent political paths, but he did what he thought was best for his country.
Condolences to Christofias’ family poured in from Greek Cypriot political leaders as well as the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots Mustafa Akinci, who tweeted, (translated), “With great sadness, I’ve been made aware of the death of Demetris Christofias, a former Greek Cypriot leader and former General Secretary of AKEL. I express my sincere condolences to his wife and his three children, to the AKEL family and to the Greek Cypriot community in general.”
One of Cyprus’ best-known politicians, Christofias was born in Dikomo in the Kyrenia District, on 29th August 1946, and educated in Cyprus and Moscow.
First elected a member of parliament for Kyrenia in 1991, he was elected president of the House of Representatives in 2001. It was during his second term as speaker that he was elected president of the Republic in 2008.
Christofias was the only Cypriot president not to seek re-election, citing his failure to achieve his “life’s vision” of reunifying the country that had been split since Turkey invaded in 1974.
Christofias’ “man-of-the-people” persona endeared him to many.
He underwent a life-saving kidney transplant in 1999, in which the donor was his sister. He also had open-heart surgery earlier in the same year.
John Kyriakides, Chairman of LGR, said, “I am really saddened to learn of the death of Demetris. He was a good friend of LGR and I will keep fond memories of the former Cyprus President.”
An Extraordinary Cabinet Meeting was held on Saturday chaired by President Anastasiades confirming that the funeral of the former President will take place on Tuesday 25th June at the Holy Church of God’s Wisdom, in Strovolos, at 1700 local time.
After the meeting, Government Spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said that the Cabinet have declared national mourning until the day of the funeral, which will also be a public holiday.
Flags will fly at half-mast on all government buildings and schools.
Mr Christofias is survived by his wife, Elsie, two daughters, a son and grandchildren.
LGR express their sincere condolences to family and friends.
Article written by London Greek Radio
Actor William Baldwin, who is currently in Cyprus to film ‘S.O.S. – Survive or Sacrifice’, which is being shot in and around Limassol said he loves the island.
Filming started earlier this month. It is a production by Atladium, which began operations in Cyprus in 2017 and specialises in feature films, television series and other video productions.
Altadium said the project was made possible due to the support from ‘The Initiative of Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency – Film in Cyprus’. With an aim to attract investors to its audiovisual industry, Cyprus launched “Olivewood” last year.
Speaking during a news conference in Limassol, Baldwin said he always wanted to visit the island as one of his best friends lives here. His stay was only a few days but “I definitely want to come back for more time,” he said. On a break from filming, he told Cybc he loved the food and had eaten lobster at a restaurant in Limassol.
The actor said that from his personal experience, the tax relief scheme the Cypriot government applied for the development of the audiovisual industry was expected to significantly boost the local economy and tourism.
Producer and actress Marianne Rosset, who is also in the film, and her husband Vitaly Rosset, expressed their satisfaction that they were contribute to the development of the film industry at the local level and to the promotion of Cyprus abroad through ‘S.O.S. Survive or Sacrifice’.
“We want to show how perfect Cyprus is for producing films,” they said.
The film, directed by Roman Doronin, is expected to be released by the end of 2020.
According to the script, two sisters, Kate and her younger sister – Liz, arrive at a seaside resort. At the hotel, they realise that the hapless Liz has left her passport at the airport. The sisters quarrel. Liz stays in the hotel room while Kate goes out for dinner, alone.
At a bar, Kate meets a travel blogger – Michelle, and her buddies: a local entrepreneur – Andreas, and a tourist – Nick. Andreas offers the two lovely ladies an unscheduled, impromptu ride on his tourist hot-air balloon.
As the result of a freak accident, the wind carries the balloon far out to sea. Their cell phones are out of range, and the gas canisters won’t last long. If they ditch in the sea everyone will drown.
A thunderstorm is approaching, and sharks begin to circle in the water below, but that’s not all: unbeknown to Kate, back on land, her hotel apartment has been burglarised, and little Liz has become an unwanted “material witness”.
The films cast includes, in addition to the well-known American actor, Jeannine Kaspar, Zach Rose and actors from Cyprus such as Christopher Greco, Andreas Aroditis, Maria Ioannou, Szymon Piotr Jedrziczyc, Alena Salimianova, Philip Konstantinos, Christos Christopides and Maria Panaseti.
Article written by
The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has elected the new Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain.
The Holy and Holy Synod unanimously elected Metropolitan Nikitas of Dardanelles as the new Archbishop of Thyateira.
Metropolitan Nikitas (Lulias) of Dardanelles, Exarch of All Hellespont, his birth name Nikitas Loulias was born in Tampa, Florida, United States June 22nd 1955.
He studied at the University of Florida, from which he received honours degrees in Religion (1976). He then attended the Theological School of the Holy Cross of Boston, where he graduated in 1980 and then completed postgraduate studies at the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1982).
He was ordained a Deacon in 1985 by Archbishop Jacob of America and in the same year he became a Presbyter. He served in Saints Constantine and Helen (Merriville, IN) Church, and, since 1987, in the Holy Diocese of Chicago as Secretary.
In 1988 he received the Archimandrite’s officium and became a Protosyncellus at the same Bishopric.
In St. Petersburg, Russia, he completed his studies in History and Russian language. He taught selected courses on Orthodoxy at the Loyola University of Chicago.
On December 2, 1996, he was unanimously elected as Metropolitan of Hong Kong and ordained on the 14th of the same month at the Patriarchal Church of St. George.
His enthronement took place at St. Luca Cathedral in Hong Kong on January 12, 1997 and became the first regular priest of the newly-established Hong Kong Metropolis, and then he was appointed at the Dardanelles Metropolis in 2007.
It is finally worth mentioning that Metropolitan Nikitas is the Director of the Berkeley USA Patriarchal Orthodox Institute “Patriarch Athenagoras” in Berkeley, USA.
Metropolitan Nikitas succeeds His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios who has been Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain since 16th April 1988.
Born in the present-day Turkish-occupied village of Marathovounos in the district of Famagusta, Cyprus, on 28th October 1928, Archbishop Gregorios was appointed to the Church of All Saints in Camden, London in April 1959. He was ordained presbyter by the late Archbishop of Thyateira, Athenagoras Kavvadas, in the same month.
In 1964 he was appointed Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Thyateira. On 12th December 1970 he was consecrated Bishop of Tropaeou by the blessed former Archbishop of Thyateira Athenagoras Kokkinakis at the Cathedral of St Sophia. From the first day of his ordination he undertook to organise and administer St. Mary’s Cathedral and the Church of St. Barnabas the Apostle in Wood Green, North London.
Article written by
A zumba class has raised £6002.00 for charity in a 8.5 mile sponsored walk.
Think Zumba walked through parks from East Finchley to Westminster last month [Sunday 5th May 2019] as part of a North London Hospice Big Fun Walk.
The group donned sashes, charity t-shirts and trainers to take on the challenge alongside hundreds of other walkers through Primrose Hill, Cherry Tree Wood and Regents Park.
Soulla Violaris was walking in aid of the North London Hospice, joining other charity walkers, for this fantastic cause. Soulla is a legendary broadcaster on LGR working for the station since 1985, till present time.
Well done Team Think Zumba and to everyone who donated to such an amazing and giving cause! We’ve raised £6002.00 for the North London Hospice – thank you NLH for all you do and now we give back to you xxx [Think Zumba]
Group leader Roulla Violaris said: “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.”
The Think Zumba group in Barnet launched eight years ago.
Article written by London Greek Radio
London Greek Radio is pleased to announce that we will be joining thousands at this year’s Cypriot Wine Festival and Business Expo on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June.
Come and visit us at the LGR Stand. Meet a few LGR personalities and take part in our lucky free draw.
One winner will claim a pair of return tickets to Cyprus.
Ask an official LGR CyWineFest19 member of the team for details!
Cyprus Competition: Prize Draw Terms and Conditions
This prize draw is open to residents of the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man aged 18 years or over, except employees of London Greek Radio, their families, agents or anyone else professionally associated with the draw.
Details of how to enter form part of the terms and conditions. It is a condition of entry that all rules are accepted as final and that the competitor agrees to abide by these rules. The decision of the judges is final, and no correspondence will be entered into. The Promoter reserves the right to modify the Promotion at any time without prior notice.
Entries must be submitted via the completion of a form which must include a phone number and entry is restricted to one per person. Late, illegible, incomplete, defaced or corrupt entries, or entries sent through agencies and third parties, will not be accepted. No responsibility can be accepted for lost entries and proof of despatch will not be accepted as proof of receipt.
One winner will be drawn at random from all entries received by the closing date.
All entries must be received by 23.59pm on 2nd June 2019.
The winner will be contacted by telephone or email within ten days of the closing date of the prize draw and are required to confirm acceptance within 21 days of notification. Should the Promoter be unable to contact a winner, or should a winner be unable to confirm their acceptance of the prize, the Promoter reserves the right to award the prize to an alternative winner, drawn in accordance with these terms and conditions. The Promoter may ask the winner to provide proof of age and/or country of residence.
The prize as described is available on the date of publication.
The winner will receive two return tickets to Cyprus.
The prize excludes, transfers, accommodation, taxes, baggage charges, meals and drinks, excursions, attractions, treatments, travel insurance, personal expenses, and visas. The winner and their companion/s must hold a current and valid passport and any other relevant travel documentation required for travel to and entry to Cyprus.
It is the responsibility of the winner to (i) organise and pay costs associated with obtaining visas for the travelling party; (ii) ensure that the travelling party is adequately insured including without limitation covering overseas medical costs, and (iii) ensure that the travelling party adheres to the travel itinerary and other relevant safety instructions as set out by the prize provider.
It is the responsibility of the winner to manage the full coordination of any wheelchair or similar access requirements for the winner and/or their companion when taking up the prize, and to adhere to any applicable health and safety guidelines.
Where any of the winner’s companions are aged under 18 years old, they must have prior parental or guardian permission and must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over when taking up the prize.
The tickets must be used by 31st December 2019. The tickets exclude peak season and seats are subject to availability.
All elements of the prize are subject to availability, non-transferable and there are no cash alternatives. It cannot be sold or given to an alternative party.
In winning the prize, the prize winner automatically conforms to the standard booking terms and conditions of the airline.
The winner and their guests may be required to participate in publicity.
Events may occur that render the prize draw itself or the awarding of the prize impossible due to reasons beyond the control of the Promoter and accordingly the Promoter may, at its absolute discretion, vary or amend the promotion and the entrant agrees that no liability shall attach to the Promoter as a result thereof.
LGR is responsible for the first part of the promotion, which is the publication and adjudication of the prize draw.
This prize is up to the value of £500.00.
Promoter: LGR, London Greek Radio, 437 High Road, N12 0AP
Article written by London Greek Radio
