The High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Antonis Sammoutis has issued a message to the Greek and Cypriot diaspora ahead of OXI Day on Monday, October 28.
Full message in English:
Dear Compatriots,
With feelings of national pride, I once again extend my greetings on the great national anniversary of OXI Day and the epic of 1940. Greece’s significant victory over Italy became a unique source of inspiration, courage, and emotion for the entire democratic world. From New Zealand and Australia, who were in the fight from the outset of the war, to the United States, which entered the war the following year but supported from the start those forces that stood up against fascism, messages of admiration for the heroism of the Greeks flooded into Greece. These sacrifices were worthy of the struggles our people have fought for thousands of years to keep their country free from any foreign threat.
We never forget that alongside Greeks around the world, including many volunteers from Cyprus, the ANZACs fought valiantly in battles from Macedonia to Crete, with thousands of Australian soldiers of Greek and Cypriot descent once again taking part. Thousands of Cypriot volunteers also joined the British Army, fighting in Greece, Egypt, Italy, and Central Europe. The struggles of the free and democratic world were justified in 1945 when fascism was finally defeated. However, sadly for all of us, the horrid years of German occupation in Greece were followed by a bloody civil war rather than the unity and harmony that could have led to the rebuilding of our homeland. Foreign ideologies, alien to Hellenism, and external powers incited a fratricidal conflict from as early as 1944. This not only brought new destruction but also prevented Greece from integrating regions that rightfully belonged to her, such as Northern Epirus and Cyprus.
This year’s anniversary coincides with another tragic anniversary for Cyprus—the 50 years since the Turkish invasion and occupation of a large part of our homeland. Allow me once again to extend my deepest thanks to all our expatriates for their participation in the events condemning this occupation, held in all major cities of Australia. We will never forget the crime against Cyprus, and we will never cease our efforts for the island’s liberation and reunification, no matter how many years pass. In this struggle, we now have the support of a united Europe, the great family we joined exactly 20 years ago, with the hope of securing all human rights and freedoms for all Cypriots—Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike—just as is the case in every other European Union country.
Finally, with this opportunity to address the diaspora, I would like to congratulate the Archdiocese of Australia, the Mother Church, the guardian of the traditions and identity of our people, for the successful celebration of its 100th anniversary. These celebrations, many of which I had the honour and blessing to attend, culminated in the historic visit of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. During this visit, I was delighted to see once again the strong presence and support of our diaspora community.
