The Pancyprian Dance group was initially formed in 1976 by two Greek –Cypriots, Eleni Maroulleti and Yiannis Ioannou who came to New York with big dreams and in hopes of finding career and work opportunities.  After the illegal occupation by Turkey in 1974 the island and its people were left with big hardships especially those who lost their homes.  The economic situation forced many of its occupants to look for other chances to start over and gain what many had lost.

 

 In an effort to create a home away from home the dance group was formed and mainly consisted of both men and women whose love and devotion to the mother land was so deeply rooted that they practiced and performed the traditional folk dances of Cyprus as a means of preserving their culture in this new country.

 

The division later expanded itself and welcomed different ages, as there was a growth in second generation Greek-Cypriots. The dance group has exceeded its initial purpose which was to preserve the culture, it has not only preserved it but it has promoted and introduced it to children beginning age 4 as well as all other ages including  adults.  The dance division is rich in its ability to teach traditional Cypriot and Greek folk dancing. The dance division currently consists of four separate age groups, the largest one represented by our younger students.

 

 The dance division prides itself in instilling love and appreciation for dance and our heritage in the community. It is a symbol of Cypriot culture in the United States of America. Furthermore, it has been the cause of the formation of many families as many unions have been made through interactions during practices as well as numerous performances throughout the years and hundreds of cultural ceremonies and political events.

 

It has created life -long friendships as we do consider ourselves one another’s family.