Cypriot ballet dancer Ioanna Avraam to be awarded “Special Recognition” by jury of Helena Vaz da Silva Award

Cypriot Ioanna Avraam, First Soloist with the Vienna State Ballet, is to be awarded a “Special Recognition” by the jury of the Helena Vaz da Silva European Award for Raising Public Awareness on Europe's Cultural Heritage.

Asked by CNA about the award, Avraam said in a written statement that the announcement of the decision by the jury of the Helena Vaz da Silva European Award to award her with a “Special Recognition”, “was something unexpected”, expressing “joy” and “pride”, and noting that such a recognition was “a great honour”.

The award ceremony is to take place in Lisbon on 21 October.

Avraam thanked the jury for this special award “which honours the Vienna State Ballet which is a multicultural group of dancers from different countries of Europe and the world”, while also noting that Cyprus is also being promoted.

She also thanked Europa Nostra Vice-President, Androulla Vassiliou, for nominating her for the Helena Vaz da Silva European Award.

In her own statement, Vassiliou notes that Europa Nostra, as a partner in this endeavour is asked to nominate people for the award and that every year many artists are being nominated, while she has nominated Avraam “for this prestigious award”. She added that this year the jury decided to award the prize to German photographer, Thomas Struth. However, she added, “exceptionally”, the jury decided to award a “Special Recognition” to Ioanna Avraam and invited her to receive the recognition at a ceremony which will take place at the Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon on 21 October.

The Helena Vaz da Silva European Award for Raising Public Awareness on Europe's Cultural Heritage was established a few years ago by the National Centre of Culture of Portugal, Vassiliou also notes.