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.

Cyprus Diaspora Forum is 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.

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

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.