DANCERS FOR CHARITY FAIL TO BREAK WORLD RECORD

Cyprus Mail - article by Bejay Browne 4 June 2018

A group of hundreds of dancers failed to break a world record in front of the castle in Kato Paphos on Sunday, but have vowed to try again in October.

It was hoped that 1,200 people would turn up, and at least 1,000 people were needed, to dance the Hasapiko for five minutes straight to steal the title. Less than eight hundred people took part in the dance.

The event also aimed to raise awareness and funds for the Archangel Michael hospice in Mesa Chorio in Paphos. It was organised jointly by the hospice and the Ktima folk dancing group and supported by the municipality of Paphos.

Hundreds of people descended on Paphos castle square on Sunday afternoon, but as around two hundred of them turned up late and not wearing the required black trousers and white top they were not able to take part, according to organisers.

“Some people were missing and when they came they weren’t wearing the right clothes, just their regular clothes and so they didn’t count. But we will try again in October and people can register an interest with the hospice now,” said hospice general manager Mona Skordi,:

She said that although the record breaking attempt was not successful, overall their aim was accomplished as the event was televised all over the world and positively promoted Paphos and Cyprus in general.

“This went worldwide and was a good exercise for donations and fund raising for the hospice,” she said.

The hospice is the second such facility in the district, the first, the Friends Hospice opened in 2006 and is found at a dedicated six-bed wing of St George’s clinic in Paphos.

The Archangel Michael hospice in Mesa Chorio opened in June 2015 and has nine rooms used for palliative and respite care, including two for children.

“We are the only hospice in Cyprus to be licensed to take children,” she said.

The facility aims to offer free hospice and palliative care to all those with life limiting illnesses, regardless of their religious belief or nationality.

Skordi said that it costs around 300,000 euros a year to operate the facility, which has already helped hundreds of patients since it opened.

The current record for the largest ‘Hasapiko Dance’ is held by Larnaca municipality. The record was set in 2010, when 749 people danced in Europe Square

To register for the next attempt of further information about Archangel Michael Hospice: (m) 99494140

www.archangel-michael-hospice.com