Nominees Announced for the CYDIA Awards 2025

The Cyprus Diaspora Forum is proud to announce the nominees for the CYDIA Awards 2025, a prestigious annual celebration that honours the outstanding contributions of Cypriots in the diaspora. This year, the event will spotlight exceptional individuals across multiple categories, including the highly anticipated Lifetime Achievement Award.

We are delighted to reveal that the Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to two remarkable individuals: Dr. Theodoros Potamitis, a renowned Cypriot ophthalmologist, surgeon, and vitreo-retinal specialist, and George Michael, the legendary Greek Cypriot musician whose global influence continues to inspire generations. The award for George Michael will be presented posthumously, recognising his extraordinary contributions to the music industry and his lasting impact on the global cultural landscape.

Other important categories include the prestigious Diaspora Ambassador Award, which will be given to Loucas Pouroulis, a prominent mining and metallurgical magnate, and the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry Diaspora Entrepreneur Award, which will be awarded to Demetrios Constantinides, Chairman of Bioland Energy, for his exemplary achievements in the energy sector.

In the remaining 14 categories, the public is invited to vote for their favourite nominee. Public voting will close on Sunday, 20 April 2025, offering an opportunity for the global Cypriot community to have their say in recognising individuals who have made a significant impact in their respective fields.

CYDIA Awards 2025 Nominees and Categories

Contribution to Society

• George Georgiou
• Lucy Loizou
• Natalia Kardash
• Phanos Theophanous

Culture and Arts

• Aliki Chrysochou
• Halime Özdemir-Larusso
• Marios Joannou Elia
• Michalis Pantelidis

Education

• Andria Zafirakou
• Andrie Steliou
• Elpidoforos Anastasiou
• Sophia Petrides

Finance and Commerce

• Christina Achilleos
• Professor Christos Droussiotis
• Maria Zavrou
• Paul Nearchou

Film, Television, Theatre and Music

• Ellpetha Tsivicos
• Nick Kounoupias
• Simon Kassianides
• Yiana Pandelis

Health

• Dr. Maria Neofytou
• Dr. Panteli Theocharous
• Dr. Peter Loizou
• Dr. Stavros Nicolaou

Hospitality and Tourism

• Elisabeth Villiger Toufexis
• Farah Shammas
• Tonia Buxton
• Yannis Dinapoyias

Literature

• Adrianne Roy
• Anna-Maria Athanasiou
• Costantia Manoli
• Despo Pavlou

Media

• Andrianne Philippou
• Christos Joannides
• Laura Neroulias Bisiotis
• Savvas Agathangelou

Movement for Change

• Anna Gubareva
• Charalambos Toumazis
• Costa Constanti
• Martin Zarian

Real Estate

• Anastasia Yianni
• Demetrios Comodromos
• Giorgos Michael Georgiou
• Mustafa Afşaroğlu

Social and Philanthropy

• Andrey Dashin
• Kyrenia Nautical Club
• Mandy Yamanis
• Sistema Cyprus

Sports

• Alexander Tofalides
• James Demetriou
• Karolina Pelendritou
• Sophia Papamichalopoulos

Startups and Innovation

• Cyprus Seeds
• Elia Go!
• Placy AI Real Estate Assistant
• The Mighty Kitchen

The CYDIA Awards 2025 ceremony and gala dinner will be held at the Amara Hotel in Limassol, Cyprus, on Saturday, 10 May 2025. The event will feature a spectacular entertainment programme with performances by Vasiliki Hadjiadamou, Batukinio, Shakallis Dance School, Aliki Chrysochou, Sophia Patsalides, Ciara, and internationally renowned Greek Cypriot artist Loukas Yorkas. The evening will be hosted by Emilia Papadopoulos and Christos Kyriakides.

This momentous event will celebrate the achievements of the global Cypriot community and serve as a reminder of the impact Cypriots continue to have worldwide.

Vote now: https://www.cyprusdiasporaforum.com/nominees-2025