NEPOMAK.uk celebrates its 10th Birthday with a Glitzy Anniversary Ball
Ten exciting years of NEPOMAK.uk were celebrated on Saturday 16th March at a SELL-OUT Ball at the Regent’s Park Marriott Hotel, complete with a three-course dinner followed by live entertainment and music, with guests partying the night away until 2am.
Despite the torrential rain, guests were greeted by a glamorous red-carpet entrance leading to a reception with photo displays showcasing memories from the past ten years. The celebrations were kicked off by two of NEPOMAK.uk’s members and rising stars – Lucy Sofroniou and Eleni C who gave a taste of the musical talents the community has to offer as guests entered.
A silver service three-course dinner was enjoyed in the backlit ballroom, enhanced by a musical backdrop of live Greek music. Additional entertainment included an award-winning magician that dazzled the guests. Guests were welcomed by the Master of Ceremonies, Antonia Savvides, Vice President of NEPOMAK.uk, who called on Peter Charalambous, the President of NEPOMAK.uk, to address the Ball. Peter spoke about the achievements of NEPOMAK.uk over the last 10 years and said that “As NEPOMAK.uk celebrates 10 years of serving and connecting young Cypriots an organization such as ours is nothing without its people”. The strength of the organisation is in the fact that over time “the faces may have changed but the drive, ideas and execution have transcended from one committee to the next. It is this dynamic cycle that will spur the next generation into making NEPOMAK.uk an even greater success over the following 10 years”.
Peter thanked all the sponsors and suppliers for the evening’s Ball. He also went on to thank the committee and officers for their help in organizing the event, and handed a bouquet of flowers to Christina Pippas and Carmelina Petrou for their leadership in the organisation of the night. Peter went on to say “the NEPOMAK.uk committee has passed a motion to honour Christos Karaolis with a plaque for 10 years of sterling service to NEPOMAK.uk” having been a founding member and serving as President of NEPOMAK.uk, and Global President of NEPOMAK for the last six years. Peter and the Officers of NEPOMAK.uk presented, Christos with a plaque commemorating his ten years of service to NEPOMAK and NEPOMAK.uk.
Receiving the plaque Christos said “it is a real privilege to have lead NEPOMAK over the last six years” and thanked the committee for “the honour and for their heartfelt support over the ten years”. He went on to say that his “source of hope for NEPOMAK was the next generation of leaders who would lead NEPOMAK to even greater things over the next ten years”.
Antonia Savvides then invited Haris Sophoclides, President of POMAK to address the audience, given his instrumental role in the establishment of NEPOMAK. Introducing Haris, Antonia thanked Harry for recognising the importance of the younger generation and taking the initiative to establish NEPOMAK in 2002, as the then President of POMAK. In his address, Haris congratulated NEPOMAK on ten years of achievements in the UK and globally and said “NEPOMAK is now bigger than anyone could have hoped or imagined when it was established ten years ago”. He also referred to the uncertain situation in Cyprus and encouraged members to “not lose hope or faith in their motherland”.
Antonia Savvides then introduced videos from NEPOMAK’s celebrity supporters. In his message Theo Paphitis congratulated NEPOMAK “on reaching this very important ten-year milestone and doing so much to engage the second and third generation Cypriots”. He went on to say it was great to see “young Cypriots achieving so much together”. Cypriot Olympic medallist Pavlos Kontides praised NEPOMAK’s achievements saying: “its work is incredibly important in keeping the younger generation connected with their roots”. Tonia Buxton congratulated NEPOMAK on ten years of success and said “it’s very important that we continue the work of our parents”. Finally Marina Yannakoudakis MEP said “congratulations on ten years of achievements. I look forward to seeing what you continue to achieve over the next ten years”
This was followed by the cutting of a specially-designed ten-year anniversary cake, by House of Cakes in the shape of the new logo decked in NEPOMAK’s colours of blue and orange. As we all know, a Cypriot party is not a true Cypriot party without dancing – which was kicked off by an explosive traditional performance by Kiwwi & Andonis. It was no time before the whole room was up out of their seats and dancing along to music by the fantastic Mixalis Theodosiou and the Cleopatra Band.
The evening continued with an animated raffle with over 25 prizes, including return tickets to Cyprus donated by Monarch and Cyprus Airways, a full Olympic kit worn by Cypriot athletes to the London 2012 Opening Ceremony, and a signed photo and dinner with Pavlos Kontides. There was even an impromptu auction! The winning numbers were 1170, 1623, 416, 1492, 1596, 631, 1323, 677, 874, 2380, 1162, 190, 241, 2479, 1747, 332, 427, 649, 1604, 712, 236, 1291. For those who havn’t already claimed their prize, please e-mail uk@nepomak.org
The dancing and music – a terrific mix of Greek and English tunes – continued long into the early hours, and featured some rather impressive and gravity-defying Vareta. The group photo booth, which provided guests with fancy dress, wacky hats, and wigs, proved to be a hilarious source of entertainment, and was most certainly one of the talking points of the evening.
The night was enjoyed by all, and was a perfect celebration of NEPOMAK’s achievements over the last decade.
If you would like to find out more about what NEPOMAK.uk does, become a member, or to feature on the members’ discount card, please either visit www.NEPOMAK.org/uk or e-mail uk@nepomak.org
