The Refugee
Folklore Group "I ADOULOTI" Shakalli was formed in 1975 and was
registered as a Club in 1977. The idea for its formation belongs to
the dance-teacher and choreographer Mikis Shakallis.
The Club came
to life under very difficult times, the first year after the Turkish
invasion of Cyprus. It was when some young refugees, mainly from the
Kyrenia district, met again in the free part of Cyprus and decided
to keep alive and nurture the memory of their occupied homeland. The
temporary headquarters of the Club are situated in Nicosia. The
first two appearances of this group were for charitable purposes
organised by the Red Cross Society for covering the great needs of
the Cyprus refugees. Later on, more young dancers joined the group.
The dancers not only came from various parts of occupied Cyprus,
like Lapithos, Karavas, Katokopia, Avlona, Filia, Vouno, Skylloura,
Famagusta etc. but also from the free territories of Cyprus. These
people also share the dream of returning to the homeland. All these
young people number more than 200 including dancers, musicians and
other artists. During the Annual General Meeting of the Club on
11.10.1980, a resolution was taken to elect Mr Stelios Katsellis, ex
minister of Education, as the Honorary President of the Club. Today,
the Club is a member of I.O.F.A (International Organisation of
Folklore Art) registered in Austria.
Cyprus is geographically the
third largest mediterranean island located at the eastern part
of the Mediterranean sea. It covers an area of about 9.500 sq. km
and is inhabited by almost 750.000 people, of which 80% are Greek
Cypriots, 18% Turkish Cypriots and 2% other minorities.
Cyprus is located at the
crossroads of the three continents Europe, Asia, and Africa and is
the meeting point of great civilisations. Due to its strategic
location, Cyprus was under the rule of various ancient races, the
main ones being the Egyptians, Romans, Byzantines, Francs,
Venetians, Turks, and British.
Although each one of these
races, in its own way, left its mark on the island, the Greek
character remained as the predominant and lasting influence. In 1925
Cyprus was declared a colony of the British Crown until 1960 when
Cyprus gained its independence.
Following that, Cyprus became
a member of the United Nations and the British Commonwealth and
later on joined the Council of Europe and other international
organisations. Following independence, Cyprus experienced a period
of prosperity and growth unparalleled to its long history, until
July 1974 when Turkey invaded the island.
The Turkish army is still on
the island illegally occupying 37% of the Cyprus territory and
forcing 200.000 Greek Cypriots to become refugees in their own
country. A great number of Turkish settlers have been transferred to
the occupied part of Cyprus.
Aims of the Club
The
aim of the Club, as mentioned in its Memorandum, is the maintenance
and advancement of the folkloric dances, songs, music and customs of
Cyprus. For the achievement of these goals, an effort is made to
include as members of the Club all those interested in folk dancing,
singing, music and generally with Cyprus folklore. In addition, the
co-operation with other clubs of the same nature in Cyprus and
abroad is encouraged. The ultimate goal of this co-operation is the
maintenance and advancement of Cyprus and its folklore, as well as
meeting cultures of foreign countries. The basic means for the
achievement of these goals are the performances given both in Cyprus
and abroad.
Since its establishment in
1975, the Club has given more than 850 performances in Cyprus and
abroad and received favourable comments from the press for its
professionalism and dedication towards the maintenance of the
folkloric dances and customs of Cyprus.
Appearances in Cyprus
The Club has taken part in
performances for the Cyprus Red Cross Society, for the benefit of
the Refugees' Trust Fund, the Archbishop Makarios Ill Scholarship
Fund, the Fund for the establishment of the first University of
Cyprus and for the Fund of the School of the Blind. The members of
the club have entertained thousands of soldiers of the National
Guard, patients of cancer, blind students, children with special
needs, elderly people as well as residents of the asylum for the
insane. The group has also given many performances, among others, at
the Cyprus International State Fair and the Festivals of Nicosia,
Limassol, Ayia Napa, Paralimni, Larnaca, Ormidia, Oroklini, Lefkara,
Polemi, the Wine Festival and other local festivals. It has also
performed for foreign delegations visiting Cyprus, official guests
of the Government as well as foreign delegates of various
conferences.
Appearances abroad
The Club has successfully
taken part in many foreign International Festivals, the most
important of which are: Ohrid, Yugoslavia - 1978, 1979, Lefkas,
Greece - 1980, 1984, Burgas, Bulgaria - 1980, Birmingham, UK - 1982,
1990, Dijon, France - 1986, North Carolina, USA - 1988, Pyrenees,
Oloron France - 1992, Portugalette, Spain - 1992, Herodion Theatre,
Athens, Greece - 1995, Mondia de Drummondville, Canada - 1996,
Festival du Monde Martigue -1997. A landmark in the history of the
Club is the promotion of the Cyprus culture in China, where it
participated as the cultural mission during the official visit of
the President of the Republic of Cyprus in Beijing. The Club has
also made a tremendous contribution towards maintaining the bonds
which exist between Cypriot emigrants and their homeland, by giving
performances in countries where thousands of Greek and Cypriot
emigrants reside like Canada, the United States, South Africa and
many more. At the same time, the Club has honoured Cyprus with its
appearances in various countries of the world like Canada, Zambia,
Zimbabwe, Switzerland, Austria, United Kingdom, United States,
France, Greece, Dubai, Bahrain, South Africa and Libya. It has also
participated in Cypriot Nights organised from time to time by the
Cyprus Tourism Organisation overseas.
Television Appearances
Due to their professionalism
and faultless appearance, the Club participated in a number of
Cypriot television shows and productions, the first of which being
the CyBC's production of "Vouno mou Pentadaktyle" in 1976-77. The
Club has had many more television appearances, both in Cyprus and
abroad.
International Distinctions
The Club has
been honoured with many distinctions and praises in International
Festivals honouring Cyprus' name. Two awards that are especially
significant are the First Prize awarded to the Club during the "Radiuska"
International Competition of the Russian Television for the "Cyprus
Wedding" and the First Prize for its folklore uniform during the
Dijon International Festival in France in 1986.
Another great
honour for the Club is the fact that during the Martigue Festival in
France in 1997, the organisers entrusted the Club with the
choreography, direction and musical superintendence of the artistic
part of the closing ceremony of the Festival.
Wardrobe & Musical Instruments
In its long history, the Club
has managed to create a rich wardrobe consisting of authentic
traditional handmade uniforms from various parts of Cyprus. Apart
from the uniforms that are used during performances of the Club, the
wardrobe is enriched with very old authentic uniforms with
collector's value. Special value lies with the women's traditional
robes which were weaved using authentic looms in 1980 by women of
occupied Karpasia. Apart from its wardrobe, the Club also owns a
rich collection of musical instruments as well as an archive of live
recordings.
