Throughout the millennia of History, the honoured Hellenism has seen beacons of light, emerged, became manly and reaped. Among the glorious moments, two historical milestones marked the course of Hellenism everywhere: the 25th of March 1821 and the 1st of April 1955. A Revolution that was the starting point for the creation of the Greek State, vindicating the rebellious Greeks after 400 years of slavery. A Revolution that is considered a major event in the modern history of Europe, as it was the starting point for shaping the political map of the Balkans, the Eastern Mediterranean, Europe and the rest of the world.
Merchants, intellectuals and artists, clergymen, diplomats, with different ideological, political and social backgrounds, fought heroically in unequal battles, but with the soul and fortitude of the Greeks, and offered their lives as a token for the freedom of the homeland.
In the Moria, Rumeli, Messolonghi, Dervenakia, Psara, and Hani of Gravia, some of the greatest moments of Romanity were written. From one end to the other, Greece became a holocaust. The flame for liberation from the Ottoman yoke had grown in the souls of all Greeks, in every corner of the nation. Hundreds of thousands of Greeks were sacrificed for national independence and integrity. It could not have been otherwise, after all, since from early on many Cypriots had joined the Society of Friends, among them Archbishop Kyprianos, who, along with other priests and provosts, was hanged by the Ottomans on 9 July 1821. At the same time, about a thousand Cypriot volunteers were under the command of leading figures of 1821 and fought heroically, defending the ideals of Hellenism. The Cypriot contribution was also expressed in material and financial aid to Greece, as was the commitment of Archbishop Kyprianos from the beginning.
134 years later, Cypriots are inspired by the Epic of 1821, following the example of the Greek heroes and repeating history. The fortitude of the Greeks was the beacon in the Cypriot struggle for freedom from the British colonial regime and self-determination: "Freedom or death!". The young people of Cyprus were the first to throw themselves into the struggle, defying their safety and their future. People of all ages, from all walks of life, did not flinch in the face of torture and death and stood up against the English yoke. They fight in every inch of our Cyprus, armed with the teachings of the 1821 epoch, the Orthodox Christian faith and their love for their homeland. The air of freedom is blowing over our island, fanning the flame for independence.
Heirs and successors of Papaflessas, Kolokotronis, Diakos, Androutsos, Kanaris, Bouboulinas, Grigoris, Koutsoftas, Karaolis, Patatsos, Drakos, Lenas, Matsis, Evagoras and the other gentlemen of Cyprus, "took an uphill climb, took paths, to find the stairs that lead to freedom", thundering that "t is not for money that we fight, but for virtue".
Dear all,
The two epochs of 1821 and 1955 are two historical milestones of Hellenism that are inextricably linked. The national anniversaries we commemorate today give us the opportunity to look back at our history and draw lessons and messages from it, reflecting on our historical responsibility. The struggles of Hellenism throughout the centuries and the moments of pride remind us of our duty to continue and intensify our efforts until we achieve our goal, which is none other than the liberation and reunification of our Cyprus. The present state of affairs can in no way be the solution to the Cyprus problem nor the future of our country. We must work with perseverance and determination to break the deadlock and resume dialogue on the basis of the agreed framework, with respect for international law and the principles and values of the European Union.
The President of the Republic has been working in this direction since his first day in office. The contacts that President Christodoulides has held in Greece and Brussels in recent weeks are aimed at strengthening the effort to find ways of resolving the problems that will lead to the liberation of our country through a viable and workable solution, in accordance with the relevant provisions of United Nations resolutions and European law.
At the present juncture, with the unacceptable claims and projections of the Turkish side, the role of the European and international community is catalytic. The aim of the President of the Republic, through his contacts and through diplomatic channels, is the most substantial and prominent participation of the European Union in the effort to lift the intransigence of the Turkish side and to resume dialogue. The more active involvement of the European Union, in cooperation and in support of the UN effort, can ensure the creation of a mutually beneficial situation, which will lead through dialogue to a viable and workable solution for the benefit of the entire Cypriot people and the country.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
With unity, unanimity and collectivity, we must move forward to end the fait accompli created by the passage of time. We have a duty towards our history, our past and our future to rise to the occasion with respect for different approaches, with perseverance and focus, far from divisions and disagreements, and to continue our struggle until final vindication.
Once again we are called upon to seek what some consider impossible.
Once again we are called upon to seek what some consider impossible. We neither accept nor compromise with the present state of affairs. With determination and with the sacrifice of the heroes of Hellenism as our beacon, we will continue to strive for the liberation and reunification of Cyprus, convinced that a solution to the Cyprus problem will be beneficial for the country, its people and the European and international community. Egkomi, for organizing tonight's event for the national anniversaries and to convey the warm greetings of the President of the Republic and the entire Government.
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