Stavros V. Kyriakides

Stavros V. Kyriakides
Native name	Σταύρος Β. Κυριακίδης
Born	(1971-10-18) 18 October 1971 Limassol, Cyprus

Stavros V. Kyriakides (Greek: Σταύρος Β. Κυριακίδης; born 18 October 1971) is a Cypriot businessman; Managing Director of Kyriakides Piano Gallery (SVK PIANOTECH LTD) since October 1993.

Education

Kyriakides has studied “Stringed Keyboard Instrument Technology” in Edinburgh, Scotland and “Piano Technology” in two different establishments of the USA. He attended the famed C.F.Theodore Steinway School for Concert Technicians in Hamburg, Germany and holds the prestigious “Steinway Concert Technician” title.

Career

Stavros V. Kyriakides at the piano

In October 1993, Kyriakides founded the piano firm SVK PIANOTECH LTD; a private limited company of which he held 90% of the shares with his father, Vladimiros Kyriakides, being in possession of the remaining 10% until 2011 when Stavros V. Kyriakides became the sole shareholder of the company.

SVK PIANOTECH LTD operates exclusively in the piano field offering sales, rentals and technical support for both domestic and/or concert purposes. Under Kyriakides' guidance and management, the company has become one of the major players in the piano industry of the country and represents in Cyprus some of the greatest piano manufacturers in the world. In several occasions production companies and/or artists have refused to go ahead with a concert unless the piano was provided by Kyriakides. Since 2006, the company operates under its new trademark: Kyriakides Piano Gallery.

Cultural involvement

Stavros V. Kyriakides with maestro Vladimir Ashkenazy, Athens 2006

Kyriakides has always been active in the cultural life of the island. He served as member of the Board of Directors to numerous non-profitable foundations. He is the Founder and President of Avantgarde Cultural Foundation (2001) whose Honorary President is the First Lady of the Republic of Cyprus and Patron the renowned Steinway Artist, Maestro Vladimir Ashkenazy. Avantgarde aims at strengthening the cultural life of Cyprus, supporting the Cypriot artists and exposing the rich culture and heritage of the island both in Cyprus and abroad.

Stavros V. Kyriakides is a never-ending source of inspiration and new ideas. He has organised some of the most successful and avant-garde events in Cyprus, such as the "Young Europe Salutes Cyprus" project with the European Union Youth Orchestra under the baton of Vladimir Ashkenazy prior to Cyprus’ accession to the European Union, the "Medieval Cyprus: a Concert for 10 pianos and orchestra” event, the "Natura Madre, Natura Morta" exhibition, the "Pianisti non solo" concert, the "PanCyprian Competition for Young Pianists" which is a biennial institution, the "Play Me, I'm Yours: Nicosia 2014" interactive installation with 10 pianos in the streets of Nicosia, the "Big Piano: Nicosia 2015" interactive installation with giant keyboards (as appeared in the 1989 movie "BIG" starring Tom Hanks) in the streets of Nicosia, the "Canto Ostinato" project at the Glafcos Clerides Larnaca International Airport with 2 pianos and 2 marimbas, and many more! He is well known in Cyprus for his extravagant and original ideas which he always implements.

Stavros V. Kyriakides with President Anastasiades, Troodos 2013

Kyriakides has displayed rich social and cultural work and donated pianos worth hundreds of thousands of euros to schools, foundations and other establishments for the development of music and culture in Cyprus. He is a personal friend of some of the greatest artists in the world such as Vladimir Ashkenazy and Thomas Duis. He has worked with distinguished artists (in Cyprus and abroad) such as Luciano Pavarotti, Emma Shaplin, Buena Vista Social Club, Christina Branco, Cesaria Evora, The Ten Tenors, Stars in Concert, Grigory Sokolov, Andrea Bocelli and others. He has received a number of awards for his service in culture by numerous foundations, institutions and companies.

Yet, when asked, Kyriakides describes as his biggest success the glow he saw in the eyes of a talented child with whom he traveled to Germany after he won First Prize in the Pancyprian Competition for Young Pianists; a competition he started in 1998 and keeps organizing every two years ever since. His contribution to the enthusiasm, the will to create and the targets that each of these children set for the future, is for him the greatest reward.

Positions

Managing Director of Kyriakides Piano Gallery (SVK PIANOTECH LTD)

President of Avantgarde Cultural Foundation

Vice President of the Cultural Institute (Ινστιτούτο Πολιτισμού)

Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Theatre Organization (ΘΟΚ / Θεατρικός Οργανισμός Κύπρου)

Member of the Board of Directors (Secretary-General) of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra (Συμφωνική Ορχήστρα Κύπρου)

References

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