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The Cyprus Diaspora Forum 2024 concluded with an impressive gala dinner and awards ceremony attended by over 350 guests, who were welcomed on arrival by the Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra, followed by a rich entertainment programme referencing Cyprus' traditions through music and dance by Christos Shakallis, as well as exclusive performances by Andrew Lambrou, last year's Eurovision representative for Cyprus, renowned Greek Cypriot singer Marilia Charalambide, Konstantinos Michaeloudes, and Vasiliki Hajiadamou, who performed with Pavlos Michaelides and his orchestra.  A special guest performance included Cyprus’ 2024 Eurovision representative, Silia Kapsis, who performed the ballade version of her song ‘Liar’.

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The highlight of the gala event were the first CYDIA Awards, which honoured Cypriots of the diaspora in sixteen categories, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was awarded to Cypriot ‘Icon Hunter’ from the diaspora, Tasoula Hadjitofi, a globally recognised activist for human rights, religious freedom, international humanitarian law, and the protection of cultural heritage.

Tasoula Hadjitofi's efforts were applauded by hundreds of attendees at the ceremony, including businesspeople from Cyprus and abroad, as well as ministers, diplomats, and others. The award ceremony was also followed by thousands of other viewers from around the world through digital channels.

In her acceptance speech, Tasoula Hadjitofi called on everyone to realise and harness the immense power of the Diaspora, both through Economic Diplomacy and Security Diplomacy, in order to re-define the Cypriot narrative and directly link it with current international and European hot issues.

The presentation of Tasoula Hadjitofi's work and her speech, spread waves of emotion, while the audience stood up and applauded incessantly. Throughout the evening, numerous people expressed their desire to actively contribute to her cause, including people of other nationalities who live permanently in Cyprus, expressing their desire and intention to strengthen it.