The commemoration event for the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, organised by AHEPA NSW, was a great success.
It took place at the Mantouridion Theatre (Hellenic Art Theatre) in Marrickville, Sydney, on Sunday, February 16, under the musical direction of maestro Sotiris Prokopiou.
The event was honoured by the presence of Antonis Sammoutis, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia; Yannis Mallikourtis, Consul General of Greece in Sydney; John Kallimanis, Honorary President of AHEPA NSW; Harry Danalis, President of the Greek Orthodox Community of New South Wales; Michael Kyriacou, President of the Cyprus Community of NSW; and other prominent members of the Cypriot diaspora in Sydney.
Attendees enjoyed songs dedicated to the martyred island, accompanied by insightful introductory texts by Dr Vasilis Adrachtas from the University of NSW.
The nearly three-hour programme was presented by a talented group of musicians including Prokopiou (vocals and bouzouki), Anna Papoulia (vocals and keyboard), Giannis Zacharis (bouzouki), Ignatis Mariolas (guitar), Dimitris Vouros (woodwinds), Theodoros Samartzis (bass), and George Konstantinou (drums).
Among the songs performed were “Blood-Red Moon” and other compositions by Mikis Theodorakis, “On These Marbles” by Theodorakis and Yiannis Ritsos, “Here and There” and other pieces by Marios Tokas and Theodosis Pierides, “The Dream” (Ah Kyrenia, My Mother) by Evagoras Karageorgis, “My Homeland” by Marios Tokas and Nesie Yasin, and many more. In total, 30 songs were performed.
The essence of the event was captured by Charis Fantakis, who delivered a speech on the ongoing suffering of the Cypriot people. A particularly moving moment occurred when he invited Melpo Papadopoulou to the stage, who – along with Stavros Economides – is the heart and soul of the Hellenic Art Theatre.
Addresses were given by the High Commissioner, the Consul General, and the current President of AHEPA NSW, Dimitris Papapanagiotou. The event was emceed by AHEPA NSW Vice President, Nia Gitsa.
In a statement, AHEPA NSW said it is both an honour and a solemn duty to stand together, to remember, and to reflect on one of the most painful chapters of modern history – the invasion of Cyprus in 1974.
Fifty years have passed since that fateful summer, yet the wounds remain fresh, the memories vivid, and the longing for justice and reunification ever-present. This event was held to honour those who suffered and those who lost their lives, while reaffirming the commitment of the Hellenic community to truth, remembrance, and the unwavering hope for a united and free Cyprus.
As noted in the event’s printed programme, “No matter how much some may attempt to impose forgetfulness upon society, we insist on remembering. For memory is the very essence of a people’s existence.”
