The British bases are currently considering alternatives after the well-known Diastasis Cultural Association announced they will no longer take part in the charity concert organised by the British bases to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee.
A spokesperson for the British bases told Cyprus Mail that, although nothing on the issue has been officially announced, organisers are in touch with other associations to replace the Diastasis Cultural Association.
The concert, however, is still set to take place for the time being.
Along with the Diastasis Cultural Association, the One Dream One Wish Foundation, which has withdrawn interest over “the political dimension the event has now gained”, also pulled out of the event, which some called a celebration of a “killer queen” – pointing to Queen Elizabeth II as having been head of state during Eoka’s 1955-1959 liberation struggle from colonial rule.
The rockslide appears to have been set off by presidential candidate Giorgos Kolokasides who last week called for the event to be cancelled, arguing that it is provocative and unthinkable for such a celebration to take place as the queen is linked to the darkest moments of Cypriot history.
The Diastasis chorus and dance group had been ticketed to play alongside the Royal Signals and the Military Wives Choir – the latter adding a “military flavour” to the event, according to the British bases.
The event, organised by the British bases, is set to take place at the ancient site of Curium on June 2.
The charitable organisation Little Heroes also announced that it withdrew from the event – despite being one of the two children’s cancer charities set to receive donations from the funds raised.
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