The Justice for Cyprus Committee of South Australia (SEKA SA) in conjunction with the Cyprus Community of SA held a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on Sunday, July 20 to mark the 51st anniversary of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
The event, held at the Cyprus Community in Welland, brought together community members, political leaders, and supporters to honour the victims of the Turkish invasion and reiterate the call for a just and lasting solution to the division of the island.
The commemoration began with a church service and memorial at the Parish of the Prophet Elias, followed by a ceremony where dignitaries and community representatives laid wreaths in remembrance of those who lost their lives.
The wreath laying ceremony was attended by numerous distinguished guests, including Andrea Michaels MP, representing the Premier of South Australia; Josh Teague MP, representing the Opposition Leader; Jing Lee MLC; Mayor Angela Evans of the City of Charles Sturt; Mayor Michael Coxon of the City of West Torrens; and many other community leaders from local Greek and Cypriot diaspora organisations.
Approximately 120 members of the community attended.
The ceremony served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing Turkish occupation and the unwavering determination of the Cypriot people in their pursuit of freedom and justice.
The ceremony was followed by finger food and refreshments in the Cultural Centre at the Cyprus Community.
In a speech on the day, President of SEKA SA, Iacovos Digenis, spoke of the enduring pain felt by the community, even after more than five decades.
“Fifty-one years is really hard. I thought 50 would be hard, but 51 feels harder for some reason,” Mr Digenis said. “You think, ‘Surely, after 50 years, there would be a solution.’ But it is so important to have all of you here, still holding onto hope.”
Rejecting any proposal for a two-state solution, Mr Digenis called it a continuation of dispossession and instead advocated for a united, multicultural, federal Cyprus based on international law and UN resolutions. He pointed to the growing cooperation across the Green Line as a sign of hope, but warned that peace should not come at the expense of justice.
While acknowledging that the diaspora may not determine Cyprus’ future directly, Mr Digenis emphasised the power of advocacy in Australia to help shape the conditions for a solution.
Reflecting on his own family’s displacement, he said the loss of connection to their village still weighs heavily, and that having a supportive community in Australia is vital to preserving culture and memory.
SEKA Victoria’s commemorative activities continue with a Community Forum on 22 July 2025 at 7:00PM at the Cyprus Club in Welland with guest speaker and representative from the Republic of Cyprus Andreas A. Grigoriou, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of Cyprus.
