The Greek Centre in Melbourne will be illuminated in red as the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) marks the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
As communities across Victoria gather to commemorate the tragic anniversary this Sunday at Federation Square, the lighting of the Greek Centre will also honour those who lost their lives and are still missing since 1974.
The GCM together with SΕΚΑ Victoria, the Cyprus Community of Melbourne & Victoria, and the 50th Year Action Group, unite to advocate for a free and united Cyprus.
These acts of remembrance symbolise solidarity with displaced families and commitment to defending the history, culture, and religion that have been integral to Cyprus for thousands of years.
GCM President Bill Papastergiadis reaffirmed their stance against the division in Cyprus and support of a peaceful resolution.
“As we illuminate the Greek Centre in red, let it serve as a beacon of hope and a reminder of our unwavering commitment to the cause,” he said.
“Together, we can keep the memory of this tragic event alive and work towards a brighter future for Cyprus.
“We encourage all members of our community and beyond to participate in our commemorative activities and stand with our Cypriot brothers in solidarity.”
SEKA Victoria President Pavlos Andronikos said it is important to remember the past injustice if a resolution is to ever be possible.
“Remembering is of the utmost importance, for it makes acquiescence impossible. To want justice, you have to remember the injustice,” he said.
“The Greek building bathed in red light is a symbol of our remembering. We remember all those unjustly killed, the missing, the women violently raped, the refugees who lost not just homes but villages as old as time.
“Remembering is a call to action, to anger, to protest, to hope.”
Theo Theophanous, President of the Cyprus Community of Melbourne and Victoria and former government minister added that Cyprus is now at a “crossroads with a new separationist regime wanting to divide Cyprus permanently, effectively into two countries.”
“This is designed to cause division amongst our communities in Australia that have always supported a unified Cyprus under a federal system.
“We call on the Australian Government to place pressure on Turkey to reverse this trend and come back to real negotiations for a free democratic, unified Cyprus.”
The Greek ad Cypriot communities will gather at 2pm on Sunday July 21, at Federations Square. There will be a flag-raising ceremony and wreath-laying followed by speeches from state and federal politicians, and community church leaders.
