The Justice for Cyprus Co-ordinating Committee (SEKA NSW) has announced its program of events to mark the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus this year.
The events kick off in July and include a documentary screening, a wreath laying ceremony, a peaceful protest and anti-occupation gathering.
The commemorative events will be attended by Panayiotis Palates, Commissioner of the Citizen of the Republic of Cyprus.
Here is the full program of events:
Saturday, July 20
Kay Pavlou’s new one-hour documentary Two Homelands will be screened at the Cyprus Club in Stanmore on Saturday, July 20. The night costs $10 at the door and will start at 7pm with music by Tassos Lambrou on the bouzouki. At 8pm, Hellen Arestides will perform songs in the theme of ‘homelands,’ before Ms Pavlou’s documentary is screened at 8.15pm. In the documentary, six elderly Greek Cypriots reflect on their war-torn homeland and life in Australia.
Sunday, July 28
At 10am on Sunday, July 28, there will be a memorial service for the fallen and prayer for the missing persons at the Cathedral of St Sophia and Three Daughters Greek Orthodox Church at 411A Bourke Street, Surry Hills, Sydney.
From 1.30pm, there will be a wreath laying ceremony at the Martin Place cenotaph in Sydney, to commemorate those Australian, Cypriot and Allied Soldiers who have fought for freedom and democracy. A peaceful protest march will follow by those present at the Cenotaph and will end at Sydney
Town Hall.
This will be followed by an anti-occupation gathering with speeches and a cultural program at the Cyprus Community Club in Stanmore at 3.30pm.
If you would like to attend the wreath laying ceremony at Martin Place, free buses will be available from the Cyprus Community Club at 58-76 Stanmore Road, Stanmore, Sydney. Buses will be leaving between 12pm and 12.45pm. For more information, contact the Cyprus Community of NSW on 9557 1256.
