"From the depths of the centuries, all those who made Greek history more difficult in order to preserve their freedom gaze at us: the Marathoners, the Salamis, the Triumvirate of Leonidas and the younger ones of the Albanian epic. The fighters of the 21st century, who taught us that liberation from the yoke of the oppressor is always won by blood. Hellenism is still looking at us, and is watching us with anxiety, but also with national pride. Let us answer with deeds, that we may become "many carts" of these."
Ladies and gentlemen,
The above is an excerpt from the call of EOKA, exactly as it is reflected in its first proclamation. 68 years ago today, the Cypriot Hellenism responded to this call, aiming at the successful conclusion of the struggle undertaken by the Organization to throw off the English yoke.
This unique struggle, founded on principles, values and ideals, was the component of all previous uprisings of our people and its most decisive act for the conquest of their longed-for freedom.
With the flame of national consciousness and liberation smouldering even under the harshest conditions of slavery, the people of Cyprus exhausted every peaceful effort for the satisfaction of their historical claims. And when these efforts repeatedly ran up against stubborn British intransigence, it decided to launch a dynamic armed rebellion, challenging every form of tyranny and oppression. A history written with patriotism, unparalleled heroism and the stature of the people who nurtured the nation. A history that could not be tamed by the overwhelming superiority, numerical superiority and cruel torture adopted by the mighty British Empire.
Instead, it was impossible for English rule to stand up to a revolution that bore the stamp of young people who consciously invested their lives in the Struggle. The stamp of the young people of Cyprus who knew how to live and how to die. Opposing the courage and high spirit with which the longing for freedom armed them, the young people responded to the detention centres, the concentration camps and the gallows of the conquerors, with sacrifices, holocausts and imprisoned graves. They proudly climb the steps to meet freedom. They pull with valiant soul for the scaffold of glory. They face death without fear, for they consider their life in slavery unnecessary.
It was impossible to defeat a liberation struggle which women carried on their shoulders, with their decisive assistance. By declaring their presence, through their active and consistent involvement in every aspect of its organization and conduct, women became the messengers, nurturers and protectors of the fighters. They became heroines themselves, facing with courage and pride the death of the freedom fighters, the death of their father, their husband, their child, considering their sacrifice for the homeland as their supreme honour.
The contribution of the Church of Cyprus was equally decisive, since, apart from the valuable financial support of the Struggle, with inspiring priests at the forefront, it succeeded in keeping the people's spirit unbreakable. The Archdiocese, the Metropolises and the monasteries were transformed into shelters for the fighters, contributing greatly to the success of the EOKA epic.
An epic whose impact, condensing the common will of the Cypriot Hellenism for the conquest of its freedom, broke the narrow boundaries of the Greek territory. The Mahairas, the Barn, the Prisoners of Memory, Matsis, Pallikaridis, Dragon, Paridis, the freedom fighters as a whole, became symbols, sending the message of unyielding resistance for the preservation of dignity and constituting a source of inspiration for all struggling peoples.
The EOKA Struggle, the brightest period in the history of our homeland, ended colonialism and laid the foundations for the creation of the Republic of Cyprus as an independent state. A state that is our heavy heritage and the strongest weapon for our survival. And that is why today, as never before, we have a duty to shield and protect it, demonstrating unity and unity of purpose.
Cyprus cannot remain the only divided country in a united Europe. Almost forty-nine years after the Turkish invasion, the consequences of which we are still experiencing, the time has come for a just solution to our national problem. As the President of the Republic himself has stressed, a priority for the Government is the prevalence of justice in our country and the reunification of our homeland through finding a viable and workable solution. A solution that will be based on international and European law and will free our country from occupying troops, interventionist rights and dependencies on third countries. One that unites its legitimate inhabitants, allowing them to live together in peace, security and prosperity.
To this end, we seek the further involvement of the European Union in the effort to create the necessary conditions for the start of the dialogue. Given the readiness of our side to come to the negotiating table, we hope that Turkey and our fellow Turkish Cypriots will soon show the same goodwill in order to achieve the desired result.[LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
With our eyes fixed on the armies of heroes that form and hold together, as strong links, the chain of our history throughout the centuries, we will continue to fight for our duty to ensure the continuity of Cypriot Hellenism in a free and reunited homeland. This will be the vindication of the sacrifice of the heroes of the Liberation Struggle of 1955-59 and of all those who participated in the struggles of our people over time.
Honor and glory to the fighters and the heroes of EOKA!
(MB)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
Source
