Liberty Monument ‘part of the island’s living history’
Source: Cyprus Mail
President Nikos Christodoulides inaugurated on Sunday the Liberty Monument in Nicosia, pointing out that it is part of the island’s living history, dedicated to the struggle of our ancestors so that we could be free today.
The emblematic monument, has been standing for 51 years in the walls of Nicosia, a few meters from the Archbishopric.
It was planned to be inaugurated in 1974 by the then President Makarios, but this never happened because of a coup orchestrated by the Junta in Greece and the Turkish invasion that followed.
The monument was created by sculptor Ioannis Notaras and the architectural design is by Pefkios Georgiades, who served years later as Minister of Education.
Late Archbishop Chrysostomos unveiled a commemorative plaque on the 40th anniversary of the EOKA liberation struggle.
The President noted in his speech that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the EOKA struggle and the 65th anniversary of the Cyprus independence.
He said that these two are major milestones in the modern history of our country and the beacons that define our course for freedom, democracy, justice and progress.
The president pledged once again that he will exhaust every possibility to reunite our homeland.
Archbishop of Cyprus Georgios said that the monument contributes to the preservation of the memory of our heroes and their struggles. He also said that we are not second-class European citizens and we are entitled to what everyone else is entitled to.
Nicosia Mayor Charalampos Prountzos said that freedom is not a given, but is won through struggles and unity.
President of Nicosia district local government organisation Constantinos Yiorkadjis said that today’s inauguration ceremony is part of the actions decided to highlight the EOKA struggle.
Andreas Meimarides on behalf of the Historical Memory Council of Freedom Fight of EOKA 1955-1959 referred to EOKA’s struggle and the fighters’ sacrifices.
The original article: belongs to Cyprus Mail .
