We are gathered here today, thanks to the kind initiative of the Lyceum of Greek Women of Famagusta, to pay tribute to its late president, Claire Angelidou. Today we honour the philologist, poet, fighter, member of the House of Representatives and the only woman Minister of Education of the Republic of Cyprus, the unforgettable Claire Angelidou. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth and I personally could not refuse the invitation of the Lyceum of Greek Women of Famagusta to put under our auspices today's event, which is dedicated to a distinguished former official.
One feels a sense of awe, respect and weakness, when one is invited to greet an event in honour of a prominent figure of modern Cypriot history, a charismatic and gifted personality, with such an active and fruitful activity in the political and intellectual life of the country, as was Claire Angelidou. Claire Angelidou, who left an indelible mark on the places from which she passed and was active.
As a student, she was still actively involved in the ranks of the liberation struggle of 55-59 and was in charge of all the women's groups of EOKA in the region of Karpasia. In her long career as a teacher, Claire Angelidou generously offered her students and colleagues not only knowledge, but also ethics, culture, consistency, seriousness and humanity.
As a Member of Parliament she fought with zeal and passion for her beloved Famagusta and not only, while from 1993 to 1997, when she served as Minister of Education and Culture, she was called upon to handle critical issues for Education. Claire Angelidou was the first to understand the importance of establishing a Deputy Ministry of Culture and worked hard and systematically in this direction. She lived and saw her dream approved by the Council of Ministers. If she were with us today when the State Ministry of Culture is now a reality, I am sure that Claire Angelidou would be smiling modestly, with great joy and satisfaction. Her poems, studies and articles have been published and translated into various languages. Her activity in the intellectual life of the country was intense. She was a member of many cultural and academic associations, clubs and institutions in Cyprus and abroad and, among other distinctions, was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Athens and Middlesex University in London.
What mainly characterised Claire Angelidou was her untiring diligence, consistency and efficiency, combined at the same time with kindness, modesty, respectfulness and a smile. She was a visionary, dreamer and ideologue and, at the same time, a person of action, of deeds and deeds. Claire Angelidou managed to combine in an admirable and fruitful way idea with action, speech with work, professionalism with humanity.
She left this life with the pain and sorrow of being a refugee, with the unquenchable desire to return to her beloved Famagusta, the "place of her heart", fully aware that she herself will not return to her native city, but others will succeed.
She writes in "The Last Word", one of her most moving poems:
"Keep the key. It is the house's.
When you go, open it.
In a place keep it safe
And somewhere - somewhere clean it.
It must not rust.
Be ready when they tell you
to come back...
[...]
I won't come back, as I thought.
You will go."
The late Claire Angelidou adorned and honored her homeland. She wrote her own history as a fighter of EOKA, as a philologist, as President of the Lyceum of Greek Women of Famagusta, as Minister of Education, as a spiritual man, as a woman of refugee and daily toil. She made history as a visionary of a free and prosperous homeland. The one year since her passing seems endless. Her loss is great. Her legacy even greater...
The best literary memorial we can offer to our beloved Claire Angelidou is the awareness of our duty to follow in her footsteps and emulate her bright example. Her legacy is a heavy one. The footprints of her path deep in this land. Oblivion cannot, and should not, cover them up. The figure of Claire Angelidou, as an unquenchable beacon, will continue to illuminate, inspire and guide the people of this land with optimism and agility.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Instead of an epilogue, allow me to close this greeting with the hope and optimism expressed by her own sensitivity and lyricism in the poem "The Anticipation":
"And these rabbits
we hid them under the leaves of the heart
full of hopes and dreams.
And the soil we keep warm
in our hands
filled with the shoots of anemones and lilies.
Only water and a little sun are expected
for the new flowering."
__________
Note.: The greeting was delivered on behalf of the Minister of Education by the Limassol District Inspector of Secondary Education, Mr. Stelios Theofilou.
(NΓ)
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