Cypriot communities across Australia mark 50 years of division
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
Hellenes and Philhellenes worldwide are mobilising to mark the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
Demanding action and uniting to remember those lost and missing, and to stand in solidarity for a free, unified Cyprus.
The commemoration marks 50 years since Cyprus was invaded, leading to the deaths of thousands (with more than 1,000 people still missing) and the forceful removal of roughly 175,000 Greek Cypriots from their homes.
The invasion is still evident today with the occupation, the division of the island and over 30,000 Turkish troops stationed in Cyprus. No government other than Turkey worldwide, recognise the so called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Victoria: Cypriot and Greek communities will commemorate with a ceremony at Federation Square this Sunday July 21.
There will be a flag-raising ceremony, a minute silence, national anthems and wreath laying, which will be followed by speeches from
the Mayor of Melbourne, state and federal politicians and community and church leaders.
The proceedings will also feature a choir and well-known singers like Marios Charalambous, who will sing songs such as “Ena to Helidoni” and “Tis dikaiosynis Ilie Noite”.
This will be a peaceful family-friendly event at Federation Square hosted by SEKA Victoria and the 50th Anniversary Action Group, representing all major Greek and Cypriot organisations in Victoria.
Some seating will be provided, mainly for the elderly and frail but you can also bring your own seat.
The programme for the event is very tight so they will be keeping the wreath-laying to a minimum and urging people to not bring their own wreaths unless you’ve been asked to by the organisers.
Parking is available at Federation Square via Russell Street, with easy access from Flinders Street Station by train.
Bus services will depart at 12.30pm from various community centres across Melbourne.
Theo Theophanous, President of the Cypriot Community of Melbourne and Victoria, said Cypriots are proud of their Hellenic culture and continue to advocate for peace and a free, unified Cyprus.
He said it is important to get the maximum number of people at the event and that it is imperative “we do this in Australia as part of a worldwide mobilisation to influence Governments in the diaspora”.
“We urge everyone who seeks justice for Cyprus and its people to come to Federation Square and show their support.”
Pavlos Andronikos, President of SEKA Victoria, echoes this, saying it is “imperative that we do not forget.”
Other Cypriot and Greek organisations around Australia are marking the sombre milestone.
Adelaide: The Justice for Cyprus Coordination Committee SA (SEKA) and the Cyprus Community of South Australia Inc, are holding a number of events this Sunday July 21, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
These events are being held to express solidarity and support to the people of Cyprus and a mark of honour and respect to those who lost their lives in the struggle during and since the events of 1974.
Both groups are urging members of the community to attend and support these events.
The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) has also reaffirmed its support for the Cypriot people.
Soccer club Adelaide Omonia Cobras FC, which was founded by local the Cypriot community in 1972, said they too stand in solidarity.
The club posted on Facebook that they too condemn “the Turkish invasion and ongoing illegal occupation of Cyprus; a blatant violation of international law and one that continues to have a devastating impact on Cyprus, its people, and its diaspora.”
“This Sunday, we walk side by side with our brothers and sisters and stand in solidarity for a free, united Cyprus.”
On Sunday a Memorial Service will be held at St. George Greek Orthodox Church Thebarton at 10am followed by Wreath Laying Ceremony and ‘Trisagion’ at 12.30pm at the National War Memorial.
The ceremony will be followed by a protest demonstration. This will be held on the Steps of Parliament in the CBD.
Speeches will be made by representatives of SEKA, the Cyprus Community of South Australia and representatives of Government and Opposition parties.
Next Wednesday July 24, a community discussion will be held about developments of the Cyprus Issue by Antonios Sammoutis, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, who will accompany an official representative of the Republic of Cyprus.
People will have the opportunity to meet and speak with the members of the community and discuss the recent events in Cyprus in an informal and friendly atmosphere.
Canberra: On Monday July 22, there will be a wreath laying at Last Post Ceremony, Australian War Memorial. Sunday August 4 will see a memorial service at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and a screening of the film Two Homelands by Kay Pavlou at the Hellenic Club of Canberra.
Brisbane: On Friday July 26, memorial church service at the Greek Orthodox Church of St George at 33 Edmondstone Street, South Brisbane, commencing at 6.30pm. This will be followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the Hellenic RSL Memorial, in the courtyard of the church. There will be a short function at the Cyprus House, 2 Vulture Street West End.
Perth: On Sunday July 28 there will be a church service at Evangelismos church followed by a wreath laying service at 12.30pm at the war memorial in Kings Park. The Cypriot Community of WA are also hosting an event at Churchlands Senior High School, commemorating the tragedy of Cyprus through songs of suffering, injustice and defiance with Apostolos and Dimitris Fotiadis and special guest Maria Fotiadis.
Sydney: The leadership and members of the wider Greek community are in full swing as they prepare for the events to mark the 50-year anniversary of the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus.
The events are being organised by the Justice for Cyprus Co-ordinating Committee (SEKA NSW) and include a concert, documentary screening, church service, wreath laying, march and a large public gathering, which will be spread across the coming two weekends.
A documentary will be shown this Saturday, 20 July (the official day of the invasion in 1974), at the Stanmore club of the Cyprus Community of NSW at 7 p.m.
The documentary is titled ‘Two Homelands’ and is made by Kay Pavlou, a filmmaker of Greek Cypriot descent, with the screening marking its premiere in Sydney after being first shown in Adelaide on 14 July.
There will be a performance prior to the screening as bouzouki player Tassos Lambrou and singer Hellen Arestides entertain the audience.
On the evening of Saturday 27 July, there will be a cocktail party at the Stanmore club to officially welcome the Commissioner of the Citizen of the Republic of Cyprus, Panayiotis Palates, with the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Antonis Sammoutis, and other official guests and members of the community also in attendance.
On the morning of Sunday 28 July, there will be a church service at the church of St Sophia and her Three Daughters at Taylor Square.
A wreath laying ceremony is set to follow at 1.30pm wherein wreaths will be laid at the cenotaph in Martin Place by representatives of Australian authorities, representatives from Greece and Cyprus as well as members from various Greek associations.
A peaceful protest march will then take place to highlight that Greek Australians do not forget the tragedy of Cyprus and demand a just and viable solution to the problem.
Afterwards, around 3.30pm, a major public gathering will occur at the premises of the Cyprus Community of NSW where officials will make addresses and a music program will be presented featuring singer Marios Charalambous and pianist Georgios Timotheou (both coming from Cyprus).
Speaking on the planned events, co-President of SEKA NSW Miranda Adamou told Neos Kosmos the following:
“Half a century has gone past from the invasion of our beloved Cyprus by Turkey but the pain is still sharp, the memories are still vivid and our strive for justice and freedom is as strong as ever. We will not forget and we will not give up our struggle to unify our beloved island.”
Chris Koulinos, co-President of SEKA NSW and also President of PASEKA, added to this sentiment as he urged the entire Hellenic community of NSW to rally together for these upcoming commemorative events.
“We call upon everyone to come and demonstrate with us as we show that we do not forget the events from 50 years ago,” Koulinos told Neos Kosmos.
Official representatives of the Cypriot Government from Cyprus, along with Antonis Sammoutis, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, will be attending some of these events being held to express solidarity and support to the people of Cyprus and a mark of honour and respect to those who lost their lives in the struggle during and since the events of 1974.
The original article: belongs to NEOS KOSMOS .
