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- Ελληνικά
It is with feelings of gratitude and respect that we commemorate today the national anniversaries of March 25, 1821 and April 1, 1955 and commemorate the protagonists of these unique struggles of Hellenism, for whom we rightly feel proud.
The Epic of 1821, as a political and social event, not only marks the uprising of the Greeks against the Ottoman yoke, which led to the creation of the modern Greek state. It served as a legacy for the development of the philhellenic movement and became a beacon that enlightened the oppressed everywhere; it became synonymous with the desire for freedom.
Despite the mockery of the then powerful nations, the Greeks were not discouraged and, with faith and stubbornness, they succeeded in consolidating the Greek Revolution, which spread like lightning. With the flame of freedom burning for centuries, the Greeks claimed the impossible beyond all reason. And in the end, the impossible became possible.
To this day, the epoch of 1821 continues to inspire and ranks among the top events in history that set the course of developments in European territory. The motto "Freedom or Death" is much more than the national motto of the Greeks. It was the Greek soul that no longer tolerated slavery and claimed the high good of freedom.
In the uprising of the Greeks, Cypriot Hellenism did not remain uninvolved. The contribution of our homeland was practical and substantial, both financially and in terms of heroism. A top example of self-sacrifice was the hanging of Archbishop Kyprianos and the massacre of other priests on the fateful day of 9 July 1821.
It was the supreme example of the Greeks of 1821 that illuminated the steps of the Greeks of Cyprus, when in April 1955 they decided to take an uphill journey to find the paths that lead to freedom. Indifferent to the supremacy of the British colonialists, they answered the call of their homeland and shouted thunderously their presence in the rendezvous with history.
The unrepeatable struggle of 1955-1959 was the last uprising in the wider Greek area. We bow to the greatness of those who selflessly offered their lives for the freedom of Cyprus and stand in awe before the Prisoner's Memorials and wherever else their names are indelibly engraved: Grigoris Afxentiou, Kyriakos Matsis, Markos Drakos, Evagoras Pallikaridis, Stylianos Lenas, Andreas Zakos, Andreas Karyos, Michalakis Karaolis, are just a few of the legends, continuators of a glorious path, of which we are deeply proud.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
More than two centuries since the Revolution of 1821 and more than seven decades since the Liberation Struggle of 1955-1959, freedom as a concept and as a value is far from being a given in our long-suffering homeland. In the complex international environment, we are struggling to create the conditions for the liberation and reunification of our homeland. It is after our specific and targeted initiatives that the UN Secretary General has appointed his personal envoy to explore the ground for the resumption of meaningful negotiations for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.
With commitment to international and European law and taking the resolutions of the Security Council as our starting point, the President of the Republic has made it clear to all directions that the Greek Cypriot side is ready to come to the dialogue table even tomorrow. We recognise the difficulties and challenges involved in this endeavour. We recognize that if we are to return to dialogue, the Turkish side must respond, abandon its intransigence and provocative claims and end the illegal occupation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This year marks 50 years since those fateful days of July 1974. It is our duty and obligation to hand over to our children a homeland without barbed wire and dividing lines. Without troops and guarantees. A homeland of security, peace and prosperity. A homeland united, in which they will be free, together, to create and progress.
That is why the message of our national struggles for unity and solidarity is more relevant today than ever before. The goal of vindicating our homeland and reuniting our country and our people is common and requires unity and solidarity.
The anniversaries we commemorate today serve as a compass to guide us on our difficult path. We have an obligation to fight to preserve the freedom that our ancestors gave us with sacrifice and blood. The goal of liberation and reunification of our homeland is not a slogan. It is a promise of life for all of us. Our history dictates it to us. Our heroes shout it. We owe it to future generations.
Happy Birthday to Greeks everywhere!
(MKY)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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