NEW EXCEPTIONAL FOLK ARTS DOCUMENTARIES ON AKTINA TV
Starting July 7, 2024, through June 29, 2025, CYPRECO is televising for free, within the weekly Sunday commercial-free broadcasts of AKTINA TV on WNYE Channel 25, a new series of exceptional mini-documentaries. Presented for the benefit of Greek and Greek Cypriot immigrants residing in Queens, including the greater New York area which is part of AKTINA TV’s outreach coverage, the documentaries highlight and explore the representative characteristics of the vibrant cultural heritage and history of Cyprus through art. Additional recipients of this public service presentation include AKTINA TV’s longstanding multi-ethnic New York audience, who deeply appreciate further discovering the rich Cypriot and Greek history and culture. Since its inception in 2002, AKTINA TV remains the only TV program in New York City fully dedicated to the promotion of the cultures of Cyprus and Greece, which are underserved by mainstream media.
The documentaries will be broadcast within the established cultural series, “Greek Horizons,” with a duration of 15 to 20 minutes each, and will include closed captions for accessibility and English subtitles when Greek is spoken.
Over the course of 32 broadcasts, CYPRECO will showcase 21 prominent artisans, each representing a different field of cultural creation, such as painters, sculptors, woodcarvers, printmakers, and engravers, whose works are deeply inspired by Cypriot history, folklore, traditions, ancient mythology, and culture.
A central and inspiring component of this series is its focus on how these artists are contributing to the continuity of Cypriot cultural heritage. Multi-awarded and recognized by the government of Cyprus and the European Union for their artistic and educational contributions, each of the featured artists was selected for their outstanding role in safeguarding the intangible heritage of Cyprus.
The documentaries under the theme title, "Art In The City," delve into each artist’s journey—from those self-taught through research, to those trained in the workshops of older folk artists, and others through academic studies combined with independent research. The entire documentary series will educate, entertain, and at the same time, offer a deeper understanding of the folk art of Cyprus and its broader connection to the country’s historical and cultural fabric, being preserved through the works of the featured artists.
AKTINA TV, a highly rated and multi-awarded commercial-free TV program broadcasting since 2002 every Sunday from 6–7 p.m. E.T., is the only Greek American TV program available on a local channel in New York City. Offered for free, it leases airtime from WNYE Channel 25, a commercial-free and subscription-free PBS station, also carried for free on all NYC local cable and satellite providers. It is offered in English with closed captions and English subtitles when Greek is spoken.
As always, CYPRECO welcomes comments and viewer feedback, which helps us evaluate the impact of our programs, better understand our audience’s interests, and enhance future cultural offerings in alignment with community needs.
This televised presentation of CYPRECO’s documentaries was made possible part by the New York Department of Cultural Affairs and Discretionary funding from the New York City Council through the Cultural Immigrant Initiative.