"Truths, dreams and peace" by Demetra Socratous

BOOK PRESENTATION
‘Truths, dreams and peace’
by Demetra Socratous
Illustrated by Charalampos Epaminondas

Demetra Socratous is presenting her children’s poetry collection titled ‘Truths, dreams and peace’ on Tuesday 10th October 2017 at 19:00 at the Bank of Cyprus Hall (Central offices, Evagoras Pallikarides Avenue) in Pafos.

The book constitutes a poetic wandering in children's truths, dreams and peace. It is approved by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Cyprus for the Teacher and Student Library.

The poetry collection has been awarded by the Cyprus IBBY – Cyprus Association of Children's and Young Adults' Books in the framework of the Contest for unpublished poetry collection in memory of Evgenia Paleologou Petronda (June 2016), with the following reasoning:
The poetry collection "Truths, Dreams and Peace" stands out for the originality, the playfulness of the lyrics and the joy of life conveyed through the poems addressed to children aged 8 to 12. These poems, with a rigorous and varied rhyme, portray the whole world of the child, talking about everyday life situations but also about serious issues, always in an authentic, honest and supportive context respecting the child and its emotional maturity.

Book Presentation Program:
Chairperson: Mrs Demetra Sieli, Philologist
Welcoming remarks:
- Member of the Board of the Cyprus IBBY – Cyprus Association of Children's and Young Adults' Books
- Cyprus Youth Board Officer, Mrs. Eleftheria Christoforou
- Visiting Lecturer at Neapolis University, President of the Pancyprian Peace Council and President of the Pafos Arts and Literature House, Mr. Stelios Sofoklis
- President of the Pafos District Committee of the Pancyprian Greek Teachers Organization (P.O.E.D.), Mr. George Georgiades
Songs by the Children’s Choir of the Cyprus Russian Association of Pafos under the direction of maestro Mrs Anna Izmailova.
Presentation of the book: Mr. Antonis Pillas, teacher and poet, Mr. Tasos Aristotelous, poet, children’s books writer and publisher.
Illustrator’s speech: Charalampos Epaminondas
Author’s speech: Demetra Socratous
Reception

The book presentation includes performances by the Pafos Theatrical Institute under the artistic direction of Mrs Valentina Polykarpou.

Free entrance - The presentation will be held in the Greek language. The net proceeds from the book sales will be made available for a specific charity cause.

Information: 96 21 99 21 | [email protected] | f: Αλήθειες, όνειρα κι ειρήνη

Supporters: Bank of Cyprus, Youth Organization of Cyprus, Youth Initiatives Program, Pafos Theatrical Institute, ANTAMOSIS
Media sponsor: Committee of the Pancyprian Greek Teachers Organization (P.O.E.D.)
Sponsors: FIKARDOS Winery, Sun Fresh Bakeries

The writer
Demetra Socratous was born in Chloraka village in Paphos, Cyprus. She graduated from the Department of Educational Sciences of the University of Cyprus having accomplished a minor degree in French Studies (2005). She received a Master Degree in Drama and Theater in Education at University of Warwick in England (2007). She is a primary school teacher, a drama facilitator, a human rights and peace trainer. She was the Coordinator of the ‘Youth and Culture’ Workshop of Pafos 2017 Cultural Capital of Europe back to 2012, as well as the co-Coordinator of the Cyprus Youth Network of the European Cultural Parliament. She writes tales, short stories and poetry, being awarded in Greece and Cyprus. The book ‘Mary and the White Pea’ on the special topic of children’s cancer constitutes her first publishing effort (2015). The collection of ‘Truths, Dreams and Peace’ has been awarded by the Cyprus Ibby - Cyprus Association of Children's and Young Adults' Books in the Contest for unpublished poetic collection in memory of Evgenia Paleologou Petronda (June 2016).

The Illustrator
Charalambos Epaminondas was born in Stroumbi village in Paphos, Cyprus. From an early age, he was tending to Arts showing a very deep interest in Tradition. He recorded old traditional storytellers and wrote down their stories and fairy-tales. He studied Cypriot Art from antiquity to the present, focusing on mosaics, sculpture, icons, architecture and literature. He studied Theology at University of Thessaloniki and later Painting-Byzantine Art at the School of Fine Arts in Athens. He wrote and illustrated ten books, mostly children’s books. Two of his books ‘Garyfalia’ and ‘The Enchanted Princess’ were awarded the State Awards for Literature and Illustration in Cyprus. He presents his works in Cyprus and abroad, he writes and illustrates.