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It is with feelings of deep emotion that I am here today for the unveiling of the Commemorative Plaque of the "Hosted Children in Greece" initiative of the Group of Unaccompanied Children who were hosted here in 1974.
The Cypriot state and in particular the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth honour and express our gratitude to our Greek brothers who, with feelings of solidarity and generosity, embraced the Cypriot children of the refugees, offering them everything that the Turkish invasion of '74 deprived them of.
Special thanks to the Holy Metropolis of Ilia and Oleni and to the late Metropolitan Athanasios who stood at the forefront of this selfless offer during those difficult days, giving hope, strength and courage to the thousands of families of Cyprus who counted countless wounds and losses.
Today, our minds cannot help but turn back to the tragic memories of the invasion of the Turkish "Attila", the images of the thousands of bereaved families, the stranded, the dead, the missing, our occupied land. Thousands of families, thousands of children become refugees in their own country and are forced to live in tragic conditions, in refugee camps and tents. Some of these children, at this dramatic time in their lives, were lucky enough to find themselves in the warm embrace of Greece. At the call of the late Bishop of Ilia and Oleni, hundreds of families, institutions and boarding schools throughout Greece offered them shelter, food and education. Above all, however, they managed, through the power of love, to collect the pieces of their grieving souls and heal their childhood wounds with affection and care.
On this very spot, 49 years ago, those children of the invasion, with a suitcase in their hands, a silent cry on their lips, and a thousand and two "whys" painted on their faces, were warmly welcomed by the crowd gathered on the waterfront. As one of those children testified, "the shouts and applause were an indication that we were being greeted as 'little heroes', while the widespread affection of the crowd was as if we represented something special and unique."
Undoubtedly, this extraordinary initiative was recorded as a special and unique piece of modern Greek history that highlights the essence and meaning of love, philanthropy, charity, morality and dignity, concepts that define the universal values and ideals that gave birth to Greek civilization. The nationwide mobilization confirms the special temperament of the Greek and testifies to the enormous reserves of his spiritual greatness.
This monument will forever echo a great "Thank you" for the selflessness, contribution, kindness, care and unconditional love shown by anonymous and anonymous Greeks, mitigating the enormous burden left behind by the Turkish invasion.
This monument will forever echo a great "Thank you" for the selflessness, contribution, kindness, care and unconditional love shown by anonymous and anonymous Greeks, mitigating the enormous burden left behind by the Turkish invasion.
Today, half a century later, while our Cyprus is still divided, facing the consequences of the invasion and occupation, another war is raging on European soil, forcing millions of people to seek refuge elsewhere. Today, when so much is at stake, including the very future of our children, we need the universal values and ideals of Hellenism to light the way.
At this difficult moment in history, it is our wish and hope that Europe, based on the firm universal values transmitted by the Greek spirit, will be able to face the dangers and difficulties of the times united, giving the new generation the hope to dream and hope for a better tomorrow.
/SX
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