The Cypriot community of Sydney combined as one with a basic but direct message that they “do not forget” the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus 50 years ago.
The commemorative events organised by the Justice for Cyprus Co-ordinating Committee (SEKA NSW) to mark the Invasion concluded this past weekend as hundreds marched in Sydney to recognise the 50th anniversary and continue to push the message for a fair and sustainable solution to the conflict.
The Cypriot community stressed their ongoing wish for Turkey’s occupying troops to be withdrawn so that Cyprus can be freed, with the ultimate goal of then being able to open a dialogue that ensures events like that never happen again.
The events, organised by SEKA NSW, on Sunday (28 July) commenced with a memorial service for the fallen at the church of St Sophia and her Three Daughters at Taylor Square.
A memorial service was also held in honour of the fallen at the Cenotaph in Martin Place by the Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, which was followed by the laying of wreaths.
It was after the service at Martin Place when the hundreds of attendees conducted a peaceful march through the main streets of Sydney.
The events continued after that at the Cyprus Community Club in Stanmore wherein speeches were delivered by distinguished guests as well as a musical program from visiting Cypriot artists, singer Marios Charalambous and pianist Georgios Timotheou.
Among the officials present were the Commissioner of the Citizen of the Republic of Cyprus, Panayiotis Palates, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Antonis Sammoutis, and the outgoing Deputy High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus Stavros Nicolaou (whose next post is in Tel Aviv). The Consulate General of Greece was represented by the Trade Commissioner of Greece in Australia, Chrysa Prokopaki.
Other notable guests in attendance were the former President of the NSW Legislative Council, Amanda Fazio, the President of PASEKA and co-President of SEKA NSW, Chris Koulinos, co-President of SEKA NSW Miranda Adamou, the President of the Cyprus Community of NSW, Michael Kyriacou, the President of the Cyprus Hellene Club, Panikos Achilleos, the Secretary of the Federation of Cyprus Communities of Australia and New Zealand, Michael Christodoulides, President of the Cyprus Community of SA, Andreas Evdokiou, among many others.
The event also featured poem recitals and dance performances. The wreath laying ceremony was coordinated by lawyer Maria Pierou and educator Dimitris Kametopoulos.
In addition to the Sunday events, an official reception was also held on Saturday night to welcome the Commissioner of the Citizen of the Republic of Cyprus.
The reception saw photos brought by Palates from the time of the invasion hung in the room, which he stated were shown publicly for the first time.
