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- Ελληνικά
Michael Pasiardis writes in his poem "LEFKOSIA, EVENING 15.7.74".
Respected priesthood,
Respected relatives of our Heroes,
Ladies and gentlemen,
In 1974 the history of our Cyprus changed forever. The brutal Turkish invasion deprived us of 37% of our island and countless lads who gave their lives. One of them was Savvas Savvas from the Gerasa community, who sacrificed himself during the second phase of the Turkish invasion.
Representing the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, it is also my personal honour to be here among you today to express our gratitude and respect for his sacrifice, ensuring that his memory will remain alive in our hearts.
Savvas Savvas, the stepchild of Euripides and Elpida, a graduate of the Commercial Academy, joined the ranks of the National Guard at the age of 19. A member of the 399th Infantry Battalion, the 1974 war found him taking part in many battles on the heights near the Gregorios School in Nicosia.
On 14 August 1974, and despite the agreed ceasefire, the Turkish invasion entered its second phase. The ELDYK camp near the Gregorios School is attacked, which is successfully repelled. On 16 August, however, Attila II flattened the camp from the bombardment and the ELDYK men moved up towards the hill of the school.
The battle raged in parallel on the hill of the Gregory School, which Savvas' unit managed to occupy. In one of the most critical battles of the Turkish invasion, Savas tries to raise the flag on the Gregory School hill, to mark the area and give ELDYK indications of the positions held by the National Guard. Unfortunately he did not complete his mission, as he was hit by an enemy volley. The Gerasa community lost one of its own lads during this atrocity.
Throughout those tragic moments of the battle and the events that followed, his dead body remained on the battlefield. He was later buried in a mass grave in the military cemetery in Lakatamia.
His parents were unable to say goodbye to their child before they passed away, while his three siblings, Andreas, Maroula and Georgia, are awaiting the results of the identification and identification of his remains.
Compatriots,
Half a century after the catastrophe of 1974, the black anniversary of our country remains the unshakable reference point for every Cypriot. The memories of the catastrophe are still fresh and the wounds remain open.
With the continued occupation of our homeland, promoting a solution to the Cyprus problem and the reunification of Cyprus has been and remains the main priority of the Christodoulides administration. Let us not forget that the appointment of the UN Secretary General's Personal Envoy Ms. Holguin was achieved at the insistence and initiative of the President of the Republic. Moreover, Mr Christodoulides has repeatedly stated his intention and readiness to come to the negotiating table.
At the same time, Turkey is setting conditions and promoting the unacceptable demand for sovereign equality, which essentially promotes the two-state solution. Turkey's intransigent attitude, which fifty years later is provoking with its actions and statements, seeks to lead to deadlocks and cement the fait accompli. This, of course, will not be accepted from our side.
It is our responsibility to seek a solution to the Cyprus problem and to free the new generation from the burden of occupation. It is our obligation to break the deadlock, to demand freedom of movement and equal human rights on 100% of our country's territory. It is our duty to liberate our country by vindicating lads like Sava, who sacrificed themselves without hesitation in defence of our freedom. The commemoration of our heroes is a supreme act of national responsibility.
The statue of Savvas, for the erection of which I would like to praise the Association of Expatriates and Friends of Gerasa, stands proudly at the entrance of the village. Savvas Savvas deservedly earned a place in the modern history of Cyprus and is a model and a shining example of heroism. May your example be the bright guidance towards the reunification of our country.
(AS/AF/NZ)
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