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- Ελληνικά
We honour for another year with pride our two great national anniversaries, the anniversary of the beginning of the Greek Revolution of 1821 and the anniversary of the beginning of the National Liberation Struggle of EOKA 1955-59. These two highlights of our nation constitute a milestone in its historical journey, since they illuminate the path we must tread, justifying the example and sacrifice of those people who fought with heroism and self-denial to defend the honour of our homeland.
The Greek Revolution condensed the will of the Greek people to throw off Turkish tyranny, uniting them around the high idea of gaining their freedom. In taking the battle against a clearly superior force, the Greeks and Greek women demonstrated unwavering devotion to the oath of the Society of Friends, unparalleled fighting spirit, heroism, courage and self-denial.
Founded on the universal human principles of justice, liberalism and equality of peoples, the Greek Revolution is a milestone not only for Greek but also for European and world history. By paving the way for the formation of a democratic, free state governed by the rule of law, the enslaved have since made Greece a favoured state, a reliable partner of a united Europe and a co-founder of world peace.
In this path carved by Greece, illuminating the world over the centuries, Cypriot Hellenism, also groaning under the Turkish yoke, was once again on her side, confirming her desire for freedom. Archbishop Cyprian early embraced the revolutionary preaching of the Society of Friends and joined it. The historical events of 9 July 1821 and the heavy blood toll paid by the Greeks of Cyprus are known to all.
The greatness of self-sacrifice, the solidarity and unity of the Greek people in 1821 inspired the people of Cyprus, giving them the baton to write, decades later, their own Epic. The Legend of Agia Lavra, the Hani of Gravia, Dervenakia, Alamana and 9th of July inspired the Cypriot Hellenism, leading it, decades later, to stand up and respond to the call of EOKA to start a pure struggle and through it to write its own history.
Fighters and people remained committed to the principles and values of Freedom, demonstrated unparalleled patriotism, incomparable unanimity and unsurpassed heroism in the face of overwhelming superiority, numerical superiority and the cruel tortures of British colonialism. In the detention cells, in the concentration camps and on the gallows of the conquerors, they raised a mound of their desire for Freedom. They raised as symbols of their indomitable souls and their indomitable spirit the battles, the sacrifices and the Prisoner's Memorials, recording an epic that was a source of courage and inspiration.
An epic that ended colonialism in our land and laid the foundations for the creation of the Republic of Cyprus, which, as a precious legacy of the struggle and sacrifice of our heroes during the period 1955-59, we are called upon today to protect and preserve. With the solidarity and unity of our people during that legendary period as the beacon of our course, we must, exactly fifty years after the Turkish invasion, conduct our own struggle for the prevalence of peace and justice in our land.
We must fight to find a viable and workable solution, which will free our land from occupying troops, invasive rights and dependencies on third countries and ensure a free homeland. To this end, we must further strengthen and upgrade the education of our children and young people and work together to ensure that our education continues to uphold the principles and values of freedom and the struggle for the common good, justice and progress, our language and culture. This is our highest obligation towards the sacrifice of Afxentius, Pallicaridis, Karoli, Matsi, Lena and so many other ordinary people of our land.
Dear teachers,
With all of you as key contributors, fellow travellers and guides, we invest in an Education which, as a guarantee for our historical continuity and social progress, will cultivate and shape tomorrow's citizens, characterised by a sense of responsibility and faith in peace, democracy, human rights, solidarity and mutual respect. It will cultivate citizens who will fight for the liberation of our country.
Dear children, dear young people,
You are the future and the hope of our country. Taking as models the vision of the fighters of the 1821 Revolution and the EOKA 1955-59 Liberation Struggle and all those who have defended freedom and democracy over time, we are confident that you will lead our Cyprus to further progress and development, consolidating its position as an important pillar of peace, stability and security in our wider region.
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