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C
ypriot poet Roula Ioannidou Stavrou
gained international recognition for the
second year running after receiving anHonorary
Mention for her poem
Yellow Ribbons on the
Tree
at the XXX Nosside World Poetry Prize
2014 in Italy. The Prize is part of the UNESCO
World Poetry Directory.
Our national poet received the Nosside Medal
and Certificate, while her poem has been
included in the “Nosside Poetry Anthology
2014” e-book, which will soon be available
online at
The winners of XXX Nosside World Poetry
Prize 2014 were announced during a special
ceremony in Reggio Calabria, Italy, on 28
November 2014.
Yellow Ribbons on the Tree
deals with the drama
and suspense suffered by relatives to missing
persons throughout the world, who anticipate –
and hope – for their loved ones’ return.
Hundreds of poets from across the globe
took part in the competition, under its
President, Italian Professor Pasquale Amato.
An International Panel of Judges comprising
sixteen eminent literary personalities was
nominated after the application deadline and
was dissolved after the last meeting before the
competition.
Roula won a similar distinction at a poetry
competition in Greece, which awarded her
compilation of narratives entitled: “Behind
the Lines”, which tell the story of how pupils
contributed to the Cypriot 1955-59 National
Struggle.
About Roula Ioannidou Stavrou
Roula Ioannidou Stavrou was born in Nicosia,
Cyprus. She studied Greek and English
Literature at the University of Athens. She later
received her RSA TEFL Diploma (UK) with
distinction in English Language Teaching.
She has served as a teacher in secondary
education and, in parallel, as a researcher,
writer, anthologist and editor of publications at
various departments of the Cyprus Ministry of
Education and Culture. She has also served on
editorial committees of anthologies and other
publications, and as a Consulting Teacher.
She writes poetry, prose and drama and has
published 23 titles to date.
Roula has received awards and distinctions for
her literary work both in Cyprus and overseas,
including prizes for the entirety of her work and
for her contribution to Letters and Culture.
She is a regular contributor to respected literary
magazines in Cyprus and abroad.
Her work has been published in translation in
self-contained volumes or featured in foreign
anthologies and magazines. It has also been
presented on radio, television and stage. Her
poetry has been set to music and released on
CDs.
Roula Ioannidou Stavrou is also an
accomplished illustrator whose work has
received various distinctions.
Global recognition for Cypriot poet
Roula Ioanidou Stavrou
