Famagusta.News columnist Famagustians Abroad is currently traveling to Sweden. To "meet" the deep thoughts of the Paralimni dancer, George Pelagia. George is a young man, with dreams, ambitions, a lot of will and a great passion. The dance! More revealing than ever, he shares with us his thoughts.
Who is George Pelagias?
George Pelagias was born in Cyprus and started dancing at the age of 6. He has taken part in Pancyprian dance competitions in which he distinguished himself, and received scholarships for seminars abroad.
At the age of 18, George moved to Athens where he began his studies at the Higher Vocational School of Dance of the National Opera in Athens, which he completed with honors! During his studies, he worked with choreographers in the Greek capital and with the Hellenic Dance Company.
In 2013 he won a scholarship from the London Contemporary Dance School, where he continued his studies by doing his master's degree at PerformingArts and at the same time he was an active member of the Edge dance group. Now, from 2015 onwards, he is a member of the dance group SkånesDansteater in Sweden, where he has collaborated with many choreographers and has presented his talent, both in Sweden and in other countries abroad!
Let's meet George and travel to his thoughts.
- Dancing is often a dream that is difficult to realize, especially when it comes to being a dancer. Tell us about achieving this goal.
In fact, when I started dancing at a young age in a small school, I didn't know what it meant and what was going to happen. As the years passed and I realized the importance of dance in my life, then I started to create dreams, set goals and want to deepen my knowledge in the wide range of arts.
I was given the opportunity to work with the ballet of Cyprus, to take part in Pancyprian dance competitions and to attend seminars abroad, from a very young age. This helped me open up my horizons and see what it's like to be a professional dancer!
During my teenage years I went through a lot of teachers, who with their way and their knowledge gave me a lot of supplies to keep going and moving forward. After all, my mom, a very dynamic and active person, was always by my side and pushed me to do what I really wanted to do and follow my dream. So, I left for Athens, where I studied at the Higher Vocational School of Dance of the National Opera. There I had the opportunity to work with the Lyric dance group, both as a student and as a graduate. In addition to the aforementioned group, in Athens I collaborated with other dance groups and choreographers.
I started doing ballet but in the process I decided it wasn't what suited me, so I made the decision and left for postgraduate studies in modern dance and performingdoctor, in London at school London Contemporary Dance School, where I again collaborated with the school team.
Somehow, I started dating and collaborating with choreographers from abroad. The way they treat the arts, and in particular dance abroad, led me to want to work even more abroad, and that's how the goal was set. So, after finishing my postgraduate studies I started chasing my goal and from 2015 onwards I am a member of the dance group. Skånes Dansteaterin Malm., Sweden.
Of course, it was not easy to get here! I went through many obstacles, many negative answers, I did jobs that did not fill me, but all this gave me the strength to achieve the goals I had set but also to gain a lot of experience!
- How would you describe your experience so far?
It has gone through many ups and downs! I have found myself in a difficult position and under a lot of pressure, to try to go to auditions to find a job abroad, to dance in groups and to collaborate with different choreographers and I did not accept the positive answer at once! I have received many negative answers but they are the ones that give you strength and make you even more stubborn to conquer what you want! However, when you conquer it, it does not mean that the effort to become better stops. There is always the opportunity to learn even more, it is enough to have the will! I went through the classical ballet, I danced in theatrical performances, in musicals, in modern dance performances and I came to work with people abroad. And besides, all this time I've been dancing on various stages around the world through the groups and choreographers I've worked with.
- What do you feel is the most important lesson you have learned over the years?
At first you feel that you are capable of everything and that you know everything even with the few experiences you have, but in the process, the new experiences you gain ground you and land you abruptly. One of the most important lessons is to stay true to yourself and who you are! But also to be open to accept new experiences and knowledge, and to know that from all the negative events and bad collaborations you go through, you learn the most, you understand where you want to move and you become better. And let's not forget that a positive attitude towards situations always helps! And that there will be - always - people around you from whom you can gain a lot whether they are friends, colleagues, family or even strangers!
- What would you advise a young person dreaming of conquering dance scenes?
I would advise them not to think side by side and triple and to pursue their dream, while at the same time remaining pragmatic. Pursuing your dream puts you on a unique journey that you do not experience every day - under other circumstances - regardless of whether you succeed in achieving the goal you have set or not. Goals are thoughts and dreams, and there is always the possibility and possibility for them to change. And do not forget that hard work has never disappointed anyone, while fears of failure are the ones that put the brakes on you!
- What are George's future goals?
In the future, George aims to continue this journey that he has started abroad as a professional dancer, and to reach even higher. I still have a lot to learn and a lot of experience. I want to dance on stage all over the world, and give the audience the opportunity to get at least something from the art of dance. To have dreams, to laugh, to cry or just leave the theater empty, because being empty is also an emotion that many are afraid to face!
Because we like it Famagusta.News;
George is a living example to follow. A talented young man, who through endless and hard work, developed his talent to get to where he is today. He was not afraid of failures and setbacks, and he spread his wings high and traveled in great tents! To dance with a lot of love and passion, and to captivate thousands of spectators. The future belongs to him, and that is beyond doubt!
George, our team wholeheartedly wishes you good luck!
Famagusta.News