More than 2,000 people flocked to Melbourne’s Federation Square on Sunday, July 21 in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
During the event, Cypriots, Greeks and Philhellenes called for the unification and freedom of Cyprus after 50 years of ethnic division.
Those freedom fighters who lost their lives were memorialised as fervent attendees waved the Cypriot flag and chanted “δεν ξεχνώ” (I don’t forget).
Connie Papadopoulos, Heleena Konstantinidis and Barnabas Denmead were present at the event. The Greek Herald spoke to Connie and Heleena who stressed the importance of remembering the Cyprus invasion.
“Our generation has a moral obligation to continue marking the anniversary of the invasion each year to honour those that lost their lives and remain displaced to this day. We will gather each year until all Turkish troops are out of Cyprus and true peace is restored,” Papadopoulos and Konstantinidis said.
The event proceedings included a flag-raising ceremony, a minute silence, national anthems and wreath laying. In attendance were a number of special guests who addressed the crowd.
Special guests and speakers included Pavlos Andronikos, President of SEKA Victoria; Theo Theophanous, President of the Cyprus Community of Melbourne and Victoria; Bill Shorten MP, Federal Minister for the NDIS; Antonis Sammoutis, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia; Eugene Hawryszko, Director of the Association of Ukrainians in Victoria; Anthea Sidiropoulos, Greek Community of Melbourne Vice President; Emmanuel Kakavelakis, Consul General of Greece in Melbourne; Steve Dimopoulos MP; Kat Theophanous MP; Matthew Guy MP, Keith Wolahan MP, Dean Kalimniou; and more.
All MPs from both sides of politics emphasised that there is only one legitimate internationally recognised Government of Cyprus, and that the TRNC was not recognised by Australia and not by any other country in the world other than Turkey.
Mr Theophanous, a former Victorian politician, stressed in his speech that “today’s a day when we request, no, we demand, after 50 years, the reunification of Cyprus.”
“We felt it here on the 20th of July 1974, when the Turkish aircraft began bombing Cyprus. We felt it here in faraway Australia. It was like they were bombing us because they were bombing our people,” Mr Theophanous remarked, pointing to his heart.
SEKA President Pavlos Andronikos explained how Turkey has begun campaigning to persuade governments to recognise the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and that we all must prevent this from happening. Currently, no other country acknowledges this self-declared state.
Minister Shorten declared that “Australia proudly hosts the second largest Cypriot diaspora in the world. It is the foundation of the strong and enduring ties of friendship between our peoples… [and is why] we have a deep understanding of the ongoing sadness that is carried for a homeland divided.”
Minister Guy, who is of Ukrainian background, pointed to the similarities with Putin’s expansionist actions in Ukraine.
The event also featured a choir and performance by esteemed singer Marios Charalambous.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Marianna Alepidis.
