With particular success and in a climate of deep emotion, the honorary event dedicated to Andreas Christakkos, entitled "The Traoutkia and the Pitkiavlin", organized by the Municipality of Ayia Napa, took place on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at the Municipal District of Avgorou.
The event was a substantial act of honor towards an authentic exponent of Cypriot folk tradition, who served with consistency, love and respect folk poetry, traditional song, the Cypriot dialect and the Pitkiavlin, contributing decisively to the preservation and transmission of important elements of our intangible cultural heritage.
The event was opened with a welcome by the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Christos Zannetou, who referred to the importance of honoring people who have served the culture and tradition of our country with dedication. He emphasized that Andreas Christakkos is a unique figure in Cypriot folk creation, as with his voice, speech and pithkiavlin he kept alive memories, sounds and values that are inextricably linked to the identity of Cyprus.
Greetings were delivered by a representative of the Deputy Ministry of Culture, Ms. Andri Christakkou, daughter of the honored folk poet, as well as distinguished scholars and performers of Cypriot traditional music, including Dr. Nikoletta Dimitriou, Michalis Tterlikkas, Michalis Hadjimichael and Panikos Apostolou, on behalf of the "Etous Pale" group.
A special moment of the evening was the presentation of a commemorative plaque to Andreas Christakkos by the Mayor of Ayia Napa and the "Etous Pale" group, as a sign of appreciation and gratitude for his long-standing and substantial contribution to Cypriot folk tradition.
Panikos Apostolou, Andreas Nikolaou, Andreas Petinaris, Petros Raftis, Christos Tziallis, Michalis Tterlikkas, Elias Hadjimichael, Michalis Hadjimichael and Christos Christakkos participated in the artistic program, offering the audience an authentic musical evening dedicated to Cypriot tradition, folk song and the sounds of our land.
The evening concluded with the recitation of the honored Andreas Christakkos and with a music and dance program by Michalis and Petros Kouloumis, Michalis Hadjimichael and Savvas Theodorou, known as Mr Drepani, with the participation of the "Avkoritissa Foni" Folklore Group, giving a lively and traditional epilogue to an event of high symbolism.
The Municipality of Ayia Napa expresses its warm thanks to the Deputy Mayor of Avgorou, Mr. Panagis Michaelas, for his contribution and support in hosting the event at the Municipal District of Avgorou, as well as to all those who contributed to the organization and success of the evening. Warm thanks are also expressed to the audience, who honored Andreas Christakkos with their presence.
Through such actions, the Municipality of Ayia Napa continues to actively support Cypriot tradition, folk creation and the people who have served our culture with ethos, consistency and dedication, highlighting tradition as a living element of our collective identity.
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