The Cypriot and Greek communities of Victoria will observe the 50th anniversary of the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus with a ceremony at Federation Square.
Scheduled for Sunday, July 21 at 2 PM, the event will feature a flag-raising ceremony, wreath laying, speeches by the Mayor of Melbourne, state and federal politicians, as well as community and church leaders. Musical performances by a choir and artists like Marios Charalambous, singing cherished songs such as “Ena to Helidoni” and “Tis dikaiosynis Ilie Noite”, will also be part of the program.
This commemoration marks half a century since the invasion of Cyprus, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives (with over 1,000 people still missing) and the displacement of approximately 175,000 Greek Cypriots from their homes. The enduring effects include the ongoing occupation, the division of the island, and the presence of more than 30,000 Turkish troops in Cyprus.
Theo Theophanous, President of the Cypriot Community of Melbourne and Victoria, emphasized the community’s pride in its Hellenic culture and continued advocacy for peace and a unified, free Cyprus.
