The annual dance event of Hamazkayin Cyprus took place on May 3, 2025, at the Nicosia Municipal Theater. It was organized by the Dance Unit and dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Sipan Dance Ensemble. More than 700 people attended the event.
The event took place under the aegis of Nicosia mayor Charalambos Prountzos and member of parliament Vartkes Mahdessian. Among the invited guests were current and former ministers, members of parliament, officials of the Deputy Ministry of Culture, artists, and cultural workers.
The Hamazkayin dance ensembled Sipan from Nicosia, Ani from Paphos, and Giligia from Limassol performed, as did the Nanor Children’s Dance Ensemble from Nicosia. The Nanor ensemble is an initiative of Mr. Mahdessian’s.
From the very start of the program, the audience was alert and joyful in following the dancers’ movements as they performed our national dances flawlessly. Much of the credit goes to artistic director Krikor Keleshian, who once again outdid himself in his choreography and artistic vision.
Midway through the program, the members of the Sipan ensemble, wearing tops with pictures of martyred heroes, performed “Inchu knal Yerablur” (Why go to the Yerablur cemetery); they were joined by the mothers of three of the heroes, invited especially from Armenia.
This year, the audience also enjoyed the beautiful voice of soprano Dzovig Donerian-Nashalian and an amazing solo dance performance by Nanor Donerian-Keleshian.
The program concluded with a moving finale to celebrate the quarter century of the Sipan ensemble. The finale was greeted with wild applause.
The annual program with its rich program and 120 dancers again proved that Hamazkayin plays a role not only in the Armenian community but in the wider community of Cyprus.
