Look Who it Was Random video

Getting older while being taught all the time | Christothea Pelekanou | TEDxLimassol

494 views · Published 15 January 2016 · 23:15 · Indexed 22 September 2026

Channel: TEDx Talks · 2016 · Nonprofits & Activism

Watch on YouTube

True Heroes

Superheroes exist. They live among us. They put on their capes everyday. In offices, in labs, on the sports track, in garages. Creating, designing, educating, entertaining, informing - making a true difference. To a true hero, every detail matters, every second is important, every inch counts. They lead by example driven by their own targets. They are the ones that will not conform, willing to face challenges and to set out on journeys to uncertain endings. Yet, they do not know how to give up. And once they succeed - because like any true hero they always succeed - change is created.


TEDxLimassol 2015 promises to be daring and provocative by bringing on the stage true heroes that will share their ideas and inspire us to wear our own capes. The True Heroes theme meets three of the most essential TEDTalk objectives: 
- To democratize knowledge and science. 
- To stimulate and arouse audiences around the world. 
- To spark deep discussion and connections.  

Born in the early 40's, Christothea Pelekanou is a true testament of persistence and courage. She lived throughout Cyprus torment years, witnessing an independence revolution in 1955, a war in 1974 and a society deeply sunk in its traditional customs and values.
When she finished high school, it was a taboo for a woman to pursue a university degree. She obliged into following the tradition and got married, had kids, grandchildren but she never let go of her dream.
Challenging one of her grandsons, she enrolled in a university and at the age of 75 she graduated with him earning her degree in law. Her speech was highly emotional but did not lack euphemism of the Cypriot society. The audience cried and laughed at the same time. And in the end, she received the warmest applause. She deserves it. A true hero herself.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

More from this channel