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- Ελληνικά
It is with feelings of special emotion and honour that I participate in today's event, in an extremely important cultural spot of the city of Athens.
We are here today to honour the unique work, the important work of the excellent journalist and timeless friend of Cyprus, Sotiris Danezis.
Such events, especially in the heart of the Greek capital, dedicated to our martyred Cyprus, cannot but mobilize our common memories and sculpt our common national memory and consciousness. They are, among many other things, a striking proof of the connection between the Hellenism of Cyprus and metropolitan Hellenism and Hellenism everywhere.
This year marks a tragic milestone for Cyprus. It bears the burden of the black anniversary of 50 years, half a century since the barbaric Turkish invasion, the burden of the ongoing illegal military occupation, the continuation of the crime of colonization, the blatant violation of the human rights of Cypriots, European citizens.
The bloodline that Attila began to draw from Kyrenia on 20 July 1974 continued during the second phase of the invasion, with the cutting off of Karpasia, the advance towards Morphou and the occupation of Famagusta.
Half a century later, the memory and the pain of that black summer continue to haunt the "being" of our existence. Half a century later, Famagusta, "a city within the barbed wire", stands mute, imprisoned, patiently enduring the return of its uprooted inhabitants, the voices of its children, the presence of its own people.
In 1974 the Republic of Cyprus was subjected to a double rape that wounded it, divided it, broke it, but - despite the ongoing attempts at its annihilation - did not destroy it. Yes, we count this year 50 tragic summers together and many open wounds. However, contrary to the wishes and efforts of some, we are at the same time counting 50 years in which the Cypriot people did not compromise, did not give up, did not forget. Despite the difficulties, the pain, the problems, we did not compromise and we did not get used to it. On the contrary, the Cypriot people believed, developed and further strengthened their statehood, the Republic of Cyprus, by constantly making efforts to end the occupation and reunification.
Without ever forgetting, the Cypriot people stood, regrouped, temporarily housed their refugees, raised their children.
Without ever forgetting, the Cypriot people stood, regrouped, temporarily housed their refugees, raised their children. The Cypriot people, to the disappointment of some, did not forget. The photo and multimedia exhibition "Famagusta 3.5%" created by Sotiris Danezis, an accomplished journalist, war correspondent, documentary filmmaker, photographer and producer of audiovisual works, not only reminds us of the achievements of the ongoing occupation, but also bears witness to our obligation towards our homeland.
Through archival material and photographs that he himself took when the occupation regime allowed him access to the occupied land three years ago, as well as through contemporary taped testimonies, the exhibition presents the history of the once "cosmopolitan reign". In this way, Sotiris triggers the memory and trauma that accompanies the enclosed city, the once "diamond of the East" that remains hostage behind the barbed wire of occupation.
The exhibition is, as it has been aptly described, a "crack in time" as it offers the visitor a mental journey to the occupied city. In spite of all that we see, of looting, decay and abandonment, Famagusta remains in the memory and soul of its people, like all of us, whole and alive, with its historical pulse, beating for centuries before the invasion, matching the pulse of our own heart, anxious for the longed-for day of return.
On behalf of the State of Cyprus, on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, allow me to thank Sotiris Danezis from the bottom of my heart for his enduring interest, love and concern for Cyprus, as well as for this expensive and invaluable tour of Famagusta. A walk that raises awareness and informs our Greek brothers and especially our young people about the suffering of the invasion and the ongoing occupation of Cyprus, with Greece always at its side, in order to achieve the obvious, the assertion of the just demand to make Cyprus a free, reunited homeland of all its legitimate inhabitants.
Dear Sotiri, thank you very much and I wish you every success in your important and distinguished work, so that we can be informed and understand the indescribable, often indescribable, conditions and challenges that people in war zones face. We admire, in every sense of the word, your bravery and dedication to documenting the truth and providing objective journalistic information, especially at a time when the basic principles and values of journalism are being trampled upon.
I would like to take the opportunity of my presence here today to announce that the Republic of Cyprus will bear the financial cost of hosting your exhibition in Cyprus.
I could not omit the fact that this very important exhibition is hosted in the space named after the late Melina Mercouri. This is no coincidence, as she stood, throughout her life, actively by Cyprus and its struggle. And everyone remembers very well April 1975, a year after the tragic events, when she participated, leading the way with the women of Cyprus, in their historic march to Famagusta, demanding their inalienable right to return to our enslaved lands.
(PM/EP/NZ)
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