July 20, 1974 was a day of tragic events for Cyprus when Turkey invaded the island and unleashed an unprecedented persecution against Greek Cypriots. Hundreds of Cypriot soldiers fell defending their country, and many more were taken prisoner, only to get executed later in a cowardly manner. Thousands of innocent civilians were killed and those who managed to get away became refugees in their own country. Τhis was the fate of Cyprus 50 years ago, the result of Turkish aggression which continues, an act which Turkey still claims was an operation to bring peace to the island.
Fifty years later, Greek Cypriots all over the world commemorated this tragic event, still waiting for a solution that will re-unify the island and allow them to return to their homes. Their cry for justice “We Do Not Forget,” “Justice For Cyprus,” and “Turkish Troops Out Of Cyprus” continue to echo in places where the commemoration of this tragic event takes place.
This is the backdrop against which several commemorative events took place in Australia on the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and the unlawful division of the island.
In Melbourne, the Greek Australian Cultural League, in collaboration with SEKA Victoria, organised a poetry afternoon which took place at Steps Gallery in Carlton, to coincide with the annual Antipodean Palette exhibition.
The event brought together several Greek Australian poets who spoke, expressing their thoughts and reciting their feelings about the invasion in poetry. The theme for the day was ‘Memory Speaks.’
Featured poets were Pavlos Andronikos, Angela Costi, Koraly Dimitriadis, Andrea Demetriou, Andrea Garivaldis, Iakovos Garivaldis, Kaiti Georgiou, Jim Ioannou, Maro Nicolaou, Fivos Panagiotou, and Erma Vassiliou.
The Poetry Afternoon was coordinated by George and Monica Athanasiou, both members of the Administrative Committee of the Greek Australian Cultural League. Among the guests were the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Antonis Sammoutis, the Greek Consul General in Melbourne Emmanouel Kakavelakis, and the President of the Cypriot Community of Melbourne, Theo Theophanous.
