Honoring the Martyrs: The 28th Anniversary of Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomos

Today, Cyprus honors its martyrs, Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomos, who were murdered by Turkish invaders on August 11 and 14, 1996, in the most cowardly manner.

The flame from Greece's Olympus reached the Troodos Mountains of Cyprus: a march to the mountain peaks of Megalonisos in memory of Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomos.

At the occupation barricade of Deryneia, just a few meters from the sacred site of the sacrifices of Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomos, their memory burns like an unextinguished wick for the two hero-martyrs. Their names dominate the scene and guide the way to occupied Famagusta and occupied Kyrenia.

It was here that Isaac and Solomos were murdered by the Turkish conquerors on August 11 and 14, 1996. Two Levantes, with identities and consciousness shaped by the mountains—Troodos, Madari, Papoutsa, Kionia—above all, two lavenders that never caught the eye of Pentadaktylos. Memory has triumphed over oblivion. The fight continues.

This is reported by the Isaac and Solomon Memorial Initiative, whose members arrived in the free areas of Famagusta Province to honor the young men.

After the arrival of the flame, brought by runners, cyclists, motorcyclists, and swimmers, a commemorative event was held at the Paralimni cemetery, in front of the tombs of the heroes, Tassos and Solomos.

With poignant speeches from 28-year-old Anastasia Isaac and Andri Markou, daughter of the brave officer Tasos Markou, who left a lasting legacy for the two Levantes and those who come from afar.

In the presence of Solomos' father and Tassos' mother, a promise was made to continue the fight for justice, no matter how much the rulers of the land wish for it to be forgotten.

Their foundations lie in the mountains, from Chionistra to Pentadaktylos. We persist. We will not settle for anything less than freedom, and we insist—paraphrasing the "Axion Esti" of Odysseus Elytis: "Wherever evil finds you, brothers, wherever your mind is clouded, remember Tassos Isaac and remember Solomos Solomos," states the Initiative in its announcement.

"On Sunday, August 11, we mark the 28th anniversary of Isaac's murder, and everything contributes to the reaffirmation of their will: Liberation is the only solution.

We move forward on the path marked by Solomos and Tassos; we re-sign the struggle of memory against oblivion, of life against death, of freedom against slavery. We are fully aware of our mission.

We honor their grace and sacrifice, promising to carry their message to Famagusta, Kyrenia, Morphou, Karpasia, Mesaria, and Pentadaktylos, completing the pilgrimage. 'The mountains are lifted by the people on their shoulders,' notes the Initiative.

According to Alpha channel of Cyprus:

Twenty-eight years after the murders of Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomos by the Turks in the area of the Dead Zone in Deryneia, their memory remains alive.

In the afternoon, the streets of free Cyprus were filled with motorcyclists reiterating the need for memory to prevail in the face of oblivion and the demand for justice for the sacrifices of the two young men.

In Nicosia, motorcyclists gathered at the GSP.

The two-day trek of memory and resistance organized by the "Isaac-Solomos Memorial Initiative" centered around the four mountain peaks of free Cyprus, with the occupied Pentadaktylos as the horizon.

Motorcyclists, runners, cyclists, and swimmers concluded their journey at the Paralimni cemetery, where the graves of the two heroes are located. A large crowd gathered there to honor their sacrifices.

The events culminated at the occupation roadblock of Deryneia, where several participants spent the night.

Today, Sunday, August 11, marks the 28th anniversary of the murder of the two heroes, and a memorial service will be held at the holy church of Agios Dimitrios in Paralimni.