A unanimous decision by the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts. The highest honor of the Republic of Cyprus, bestowed by the President.
President Nicos Christodoulides: «Marios Joannou Elia radiates worldwide with his exceptional musical compositions and showcases our small homeland.»
EVA Award for Innovation — «Best Artistic Event in Germany» (category «Public Event»; «Event of the Year in Germany»), bestowed upon the production «Autosymphonic», presented by the FAMAB Association for Direct Business Communications.3
A Composer of Firsts
and Records.
Elia has often been described not only as «a man of the monumental», but also as «a man of records». He is the only composer in history to win First Prizes in both of Poland’s most prestigious composition competitions — the Witold Lutosławski and Kazimierz Serocki — as well as the PWM Editions Special Prize as their youngest recipient.
Within a single year, he received seven awards in the Russian Federation, while being both the youngest and the only individual to be honoured by the Academy of Athens and the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts. Not least, he was the record composer of the Guinness World Record with his piece «Matryoshka», written for the world’s largest matryomin ensemble ever performed.
Elia («Record Composer») with the Guinness World Record, after the premiere of his work «Matryoshka» during the record-setting performance with 289 matryomin players in Kobe (2019).
Elia receives the «Wasserturm» from Michel Maugé, Director of the European Youth Orchestra Academy, at the Rosengarten in Mannheim, honoring his cultural contribution (2024).
AHEPA Meritorious Service Award, presented by the Supreme President of AHEPA and commended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs (2024).
Honorary Distinction «for an outstanding contribution to music in Cyprus and abroad», awarded by the Deputy Minister of Culture (2025).
The thirteen-member jury unanimously selected «Autosymphonic», praising its unprecedented use of 80 automobiles as musical instruments within a grand symphony: «The world speaks car, the world speaks music!» For this achievement, «Autosymphonic» was honored with the «Golden Apple» Award.
This German distinction — considered the country’s most important prize for event culture — recognizes projects of outstanding creativity and innovation. The Awards Gala took place at the Rosengarten in Mannheim on 8 November 2012, before an audience of 1,500 distinguished guests, cementing the project’s place not only in Mannheim’s cultural history but also in the international landscape of innovation and music.
Receiving the Gold Medal at the Presidential Palace in December 2024, Elia stated in his reception speech, among others:
«Ancient Greek thought captured in a marvellous way the fundamental importance of music in our lives. According to the father of music theory, Pythagoras, harmony is the soul of the universe — that which connects us to the order of the celestial bodies and to the very divine essence of life.
This harmony has been my source of inspiration, guiding me to create works that transcend the limits of sound and embody the essence of human existence.
My music aims more at the nourishment and empowerment of the soul than merely at the satisfaction of the sense of hearing.
At the heart of my artistic journey lies an unwavering belief in the fundamental values that form the core of humanity: democracy, freedom, justice, and respect for human rights.»
Receiving the Theodor-Körner Prize and Presidential Reception in Vienna.
In 2007, Elia received the Theodor-Körner-Fonds Prize, in memory of Austria’s former Federal President Theodor Körner, at the Great Ceremonial Hall of the University of Vienna.
The award is given to Austria’s top young academics and artists in recognition of «excellent and innovative work».
Afterwards, the Federal President of the Republic of Austria, Heinz Fischer,
welcomed him at the Hofburg Presidential Palace in Vienna. Elia was also joined by the President of the Arbeiterkammer Wien, the Austrian economist Herbert Tumpel.
The President bestows the Gold Medal in Nicosia.
In 2024, Elia was awarded the Excellence Award of the Republic of Cyprus, the highest distinction of the state, following a unanimous decision of the Plenary of the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts.
In his address, President Nicos Christodoulides stated: «Marios Joannou Elia radiates worldwide with his exceptional musical compositions and showcases our small homeland».
In her speech, Elena Mouzala, President of the Class of Arts of the Academy, remarked: «Elia creates music of the highest level, cultivates and advances culture internationally. The multifaceted, multidimensional and qualitative nature of his work in the field of music itself distinguishes its creator as an exemplary case for the Excellence Award of the Republic of Cyprus in the Class of Letters and Arts».
«For tireless musical contribution and brilliant symphonic work».
The Academy of Athens conferred Greece’s highest distinction in the field of music, the «Spyros Motsenigos» Award, upon Marios Joannou Elia.
During its annual ceremonial session on 20 December 2022, the Academy presented its awards to the honorees. In the Class of Letters and Fine Arts, the «Spyros Motsenigos» Award — granted to distinguished Greek musicians, performers, composers, conductors, and musicologists — was awarded to Marios Joannou Elia.
Presenting the rationale for this recognition, the President of the Academy of Athens, Antonios Regkakos, stated that the award was granted «to Dr. Marios Joannou Elia, a composer of international standing and creator of the commemorative symphonic work ‹Liberty›, written for the bicentenary of the Greek Revolution of 1821 and performed at the Roman Agora on 27 September 2021».
The official diploma records that the Academy of Athens confers the award upon Elia «for his tireless musical contribution and his brilliant symphonic work ‹Liberty›.
Marios Joannou Elia has been honored by both the Academy of Athens and the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts, the two highest intellectual institutions of Greece and Cyprus respectively. Numerous other distinctions have also been awarded to him at national and cultural levels, such as by the Cultural Centre of «Agios Ioannis Lampadistis» in Kalopanayiotis (2025), as well as the special recognition by Phileleftheros newspaper, which named him among the country’s «10 truly best of the best» for 2024.
the highest distinction of the Parliament, bestowed by the President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou. At the official ceremony, she stated:
«In an era of multiple challenges, Marios Joannou Elia stands as a role model — an individual who honours Cyprus internationally through culture, education and creative excellence.»
awarded by the Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus and the Mayor of Kyrenia, «as a token of deep appreciation for his invaluable contribution to Culture»
«Marios Joannou Elia radiates worldwide with his exceptional musical compositions and showcases our small homeland.»
«for his tireless musical contribution, and in particular for his brilliant symphonic work ‹Liberty›, composed on the occasion of the bicentenary of the Greek Revolution».
as «Artist of the Year» by MAN Magazine, «for his outstanding creative achievements».
as «the most significant cultural figure that Cyprus possesses abroad».
awarded by the University Mozarteum Salzburg and Raiffeisen Bank for «String Trio No. 2».
of the Witold Lutosławski Society and the Polish Composers’ Union, awarded by the Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage.13
awarded by the homonymous Festival for Contemporary Music in collaboration with the International Ensemble Modern Akademie.
awarded by the Mozarteum International Guitar Festival and the University Mozarteum Salzburg for «Ontologie Kubik» and «Staubzucker».
awarded by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Union of Composers of the Russian Federation, presented by the President of the Moscow Composers’ Union.16
presented in the Great Ceremonial Hall of the University of Vienna and accompanied by a tribute from the President of Austria, Heinz Fischer, at the Hofburg Palace.17
awarded by the Mozarteum University of Salzburg, the Klangspuren Festival (Tyrol), and the Freiburg-based Ensemble Recherche.20
in three categories (Classical Contemporary, Album, Creativity and Originality) for the album «Staubzucker» at the Global Music Awards.
at the Festival Internazionale del Cinema Musicale, presented by the Comune di Trani and the Palazzo delle Arti Beltrani.
Category: Creativity · «The man in the world of music for monumental events.»
The Bank of Cyprus «Man of the Year» Awards 2021 ceremony took place on 8 November 2021 in Limassol, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades. Recognized as the largest and longest-standing award institution in Cyprus, the Man of the Year Awards annually celebrate individuals who have distinguished themselves through exceptional achievements and public contribution.
In the statement of the jury, following a national voting process, it was noted:
«With his tireless and multifaceted activity around the world, Marios Joannou Elia — the ›child prodigy of contemporary music‹, as he has been repeatedly called — has contributed to spreading his artistic reputation internationally, which has ultimately returned to his homeland. He has rightly been described as the man in the world of music for monumental events.»
Elia was awarded the prize alongside basketball legend Nick Galis.
Elia Honored by the Vice-Governor and Minister of Culture, the First Lady, and the Mayor.
In 2018, Marios Joannou Elia was honored with seven awards in Russia. These included distinctions from the Vice-Governor and Minister of Culture of Primorsky Krai, Konstantin Mezhonov, and the Mayor of Vladivostok, Vitaly Verkeenko, «for his significant contribution to the development of culture and the arts in the city of Vladivostok and in Primorsky Krai».
They further encompassed the Grand Prix «Silver Archer» of the Russian Far East and the «Silver Archer» of the Russian Federation awarded by the academic jury in Moscow. In the same year, the First Lady of the Primorsky Krai Government awarded Elia the «Man and Sea» Festival Prize for his work «Sound of Vladivostok», held under the auspices of the Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company VGTRK.
Double Laureate — Youngest Winner in the Competition’s History
The Polish Section of the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM) announced the results of the 11th Kazimierz Serocki International Composers’ Competition, with the First Prize conferred upon Marios Joannou Elia.
The distinction, sponsored by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, was presented by the Chairman of the Jury, Zygmunt Krauze, together with the Director of the Ministry, during a special concert co-organised with the European Penderecki Centre for Music at the Witold Lutosławski Concert Studio of Polish Radio on 26 October 2008 in Warsaw.
The award-winning composition, «Versteckspiel», was premiered by Kwartludium+,
broadcast live by Polish Radio Channel 2, and distributed internationally through the
European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
Furthermore, Elia received the PWM Edition Special Prize as the youngest winner — marking the first time in the history of the competition that the same composer was awarded both distinctions.
of the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region in the category «Business to Consumer» for «Autosymphonic», awarded by the First Mayor of the City of Mannheim, Christian Specht. According to the Jury, this distinction acknowledged how «an artistic–cultural event can successfully function as a flagship for innovation, communication, and the shaping of regional identity».
for the broad impact of «Ulmer Oratorium», conferred by Regio TV Schwaben following the public vote of the citizens of Swabia.
awarded by the Supreme President of AHEPA and commended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus for his exceptional contribution as composer and artistic director during the AHEPA World Congress.
Schwaz · 2001
Avantgarde Tirol – International Festival and Academy for New Composition and Audio-Art
Vienna · 2002
Special Award from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, conferred in recognition of being the «best student» of the Mozarteum University Salzburg
Salzburg · 2002
Rector’s Award for Excellence awarded by the Rector of the Mozarteum University Salzburg, in acknowledgment of his «outstanding artistic and academic achievements»
London · 2003
Hinrichsen Foundation
Vienna · 2003
Carl Michael Ziehrer Foundation
Salzburg · 2004/2005
City and Federal State of Salzburg
Dresden · 2005
Hellerau – European Centre for the Arts
Munich · 2006
Allianz Cultural Foundation
Berlin · 2007
Junge Akademie der Künste
Paris · 2007
A.G. Leventis Foundation
Vienna · 2007
State Scholarship for Composition from the Austrian Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport
Frankfurt · 2007
International Ensemble Modern Academy – International Composition Seminar
Berlin & Ahrenshoop · 2007
Stiftung Kulturfonds & Künstlerhaus Lukas
Stuttgart · 2008
Kunststiftung Baden-Württemberg
Hamburg · 2008
Hanne Darboven Stiftung
Trossingen · 2009
German Harmonica Association DHV
Stuttgart · 2009
Akademie Schloss Solitude
Vienna · 2009
Merit Scholarship for the PhD Doctoral Programme, awarded by the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna for the «outstanding dissertation»
Vienna · 2009
Otto Mauer Fonds – awarded in recognition of «artistic innovation and research excellence»
Essen · 2015
NRW Kultur International – Cooperation between leaders of the European Capital of Culture initiative
Brussels · 2025
European Union and Goethe-Institut – Culture Moves Europe
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