COMMUNITY
Forty-five years ago to this day the Turkish military launched its second offensive against the Republic of Cyprus, in full violation of international law, including the UN Charter, despite the ceasefire that had been agreed.
The Turkish army invaded Cyprus on July 20, 1974, and launched the second phase of the invasion on August 14 of the same year, occupying the best part of Mesaoria, Famagusta, Karpasia and Morphou.
On Sunday 11th August the British-Cypriot community held a commemorative event in conjunction with the Famagusta Association of Great Britain, at St John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, Wightman Road. Its president Dr. Vasilis Mavrou and president of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK Christos Karaolis were in attendance at the event.
The Cyprus High Commissioner Euripides Evriviades who is retiring from his post this month, also present, to address the Church faithful and many visitors on this occasion. He gave a passionate speech about his six years serving the London office. The Cypriot diplomat explained how he tirelessly worked to campaign and enlighten others, on the Cyprus cause.
He underlined the values believed are central to the dispute, with a fairer future, that’s deserved for his Cypriot compatriots.
“All Cypriots Greek-Cypriots, Turkish-Cypriots, Maronites, Latin, Armenian deserve much better… What we want is nothing more and nothing less than other what is given to peace-loving people democracy, human rights and the rule of law, we are not children of a lesser God, we all burn under the same sun, we want democracy, human rights and the rule of law for everyone.” Mr Evriviades said.
To his fellow-Cypriots he urged always carrying the Cyprus flag high, Euripides said, “if we don’t hold our [Cypriot] flag high, then nobody else will respect it.”
He concluded his speech, thanking the Cypriot community of the UK for their continuous support, “[translated in Greek]… I believe you have made me a better human being, I have learnt so much from you [the British-Cypriots].” He also thanked the Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades for his appointment to the UK post.
The Turkish side continues to disregard calls by the international community relating to Cyprus and continues to hold the city of Famagusta hostage of its illegal military occupation. Dubbed a “ghost town”, Famagusta’s fenced off section – called Varosi – remains to this day deserted, abandoned to the elements.
Turkish troops invaded Cyprus on July 20, 1974, five days after the legal government of the late Archbishop Makarios III was toppled by a military coup, engineered by the military junta then ruling Greece. Two unproductive conferences in Geneva followed; the first between Britain, Greece and Turkey and the second with the additional attendance of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot representatives. Three weeks after the ceasefire of July 22, and despite the fact that talks were still being held and just as an agreement seemed about to be reached, the Turkish army mounted a second full-scale offensive. As a result, Turkey increased its hold to include the booming tourist resort of Famagusta in the east and the rich citrus-growing area of Morphou in the west.
All in all, almost 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus came under Turkish military occupation. Nearly one-third of the population, some 200,000 Greek Cypriots, were forcibly uprooted from their homes and properties, thousands were killed during the hostilities, over 1,000 persons were listed as missing while thousands of Greek Cypriots and Maronites remained enclaved.
Numerous UN resolutions have demanded respect to the independence, unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus, the return of the displaced to their homes, and the withdrawal of foreign troops from the island, but all resolutions have been ignored by Turkey.
The latest effort to reach a Cyprus settlement will get underway next month: with the Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish-Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, to meet with the U.N. secretary-general to map out the next steps toward a hoped-for resumption of formal reunification talks.
United Nations spokesman Aleem Siddique said Anastasiades and Akinci also decided to carry on discussions with U.N. envoy Jane Holl Lute to prepare the framework for “structured and results-oriented” negotiations leading to a peace deal “with a sense of urgency.”
Siddique said the two politicians discussed “in-depth the basic principles” of a potential peace accord.
Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The last round of negotiations, in the summer of 2017, at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Article written by London Greek Radio
On July 20, 1974 at 5:20am, Turkish troops landed on the Republic of Cyprus’ coast five miles off Kyrenia. Since that day, nothing on the island has ever been the same.
Every year since, on the anniversary of the invasion, sirens have blared out over the Republic, recalling the moment Turkish troops invaded.
In 1974, approximately 40,000 Turkish troops under the command of Lieutenant Nurettin Ersin implemented their invasion plan, code-named ‘Attila’, illegally invading the island in violation of the UN Security Council Charter.
Turkey still illegally occupies 37 per cent of Cyprus’ territory.
Turkish troops invaded Cyprus on July 20, 1974, five days after the legal government of the late Archbishop Makarios III was toppled by a military coup, engineered by the military junta then ruling Greece. Two unproductive conferences in Geneva followed; the first between Britain, Greece and Turkey and the second with the additional attendance of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot representatives. Three weeks after the ceasefire of July 22, and despite the fact that talks were still being held and just as an agreement seemed about to be reached, the Turkish army mounted a second full-scale offensive. As a result, Turkey increased its hold to include the booming tourist resort of Famagusta in the east and the rich citrus-growing area of Morphou in the west.
All in all, almost 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus came under Turkish military occupation. Nearly one-third of the population, some 200,000 Greek Cypriots, were forcibly uprooted from their homes and properties, thousands were killed during the hostilities, over 1,000 persons were listed as missing while thousands of Greek Cypriots and Maronites remained enclaved.
Numerous UN resolutions have demanded respect to the independence, unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus, the return of the displaced to their homes, and the withdrawal of foreign troops from the island, but all resolutions have been ignored by Turkey.
The National Federation of Cypriots in the UK on Tuesday rallied Parliament, with the annual All-Party Parliamentary titled ‘Cyprus – Prospects for a Solution’. The Government Spokesperson of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Prodromos Prodromou, briefed the APPG and members of the UK Cypriot community with the latest developments on the Cyprus issue.
The Federation President, Mr Christos Karaolis, thanked the 19 Parliamentarians, including the Minister and Shadow Minister, who were present and welcomed guests to the event and spoke of the UK Cypriot community’s hope and determination to see a reunited Cyprus free from the outdated system of guarantees and without the presence of foreign troops, as well as the return of refugees to their hometowns and properties. He added, “what we’re asking for is both fair and simple; a fully functioning state that is in line with the rule of law and is free from foreign interference. Put simply a “normal state” as the UN Secretary-General Mr Antonio Gutteres said in 2017.”
Mr Karaolis reassured those present, that despite it being 45 years since the illegal invasion, the Cypriot community is ‘louder than it has ever been before’ with 376 MPs receiving emails ‘calling for Turkey to take it’s #HandsOffCyprus”.
45 years on from the most tragic page in the Republic of Cyprus’ history, at 5:30am the war sirens rang around the island once more.
President, Nicos Anastasiades, expressed his readiness on Thursday to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, welcoming the latter’s proposal for an informal conference.
The UN Secretary-General told the leaders at the end of the Conference on Cyprus in Crans-Montana two years ago that he wanted both of them to get back to him when they were ready with a plan on when, how, and where they want to meet and do a deal, and not before.
Article written by London Greek Radio
Middlesex University and the University of Westminster are delighted to announce the launch of the GRƐNGLISH PROJECT.
Led by Dr Anna Charalambidou and Dr Petros Karatsareas, the project seeks to crowd source Grenglish words – English words that the UK’s Greek Cypriots borrowed from English and turned into Cypriot Greek. For example, pason for ‘bus’, ketlon for ‘kettle’ or experiotita for ‘experience’.
Anna and Petros believe that Grenglish words are unique linguistic creations that are emblematic of the Greek Cypriot community’s history, resourcefulness and creativity. However, they are facing the threat of disappearance as younger generations of British-born Greek Cypriots tend to avoid them.
The GRƐNGLISH PROJECT brings together older and younger generations within the UK’s Greek Cypriot diaspora in a community campaign of language documentation. We invite everyone to visit our website www.grenglish.org and submit any type of linguistic material relating to Grenglish: words and their meaning, thoughts about their origin, visual material such as photographs, stories that involve the use of English.
Anna and Petros will curate all entries and produce an online Grenglish dictionary as well as a print dictionary, a permanent record for generations to come.
For further information please email Anna Charalambidou at A.Charalambidou@mdx.ac.uk or Petros Karatsareas at P.Karatsareas@westminster.ac.uk
Article written by London Greek Radio
Former Cypriot President Demetris Christofias died on Friday 21st June at Nicosia General Hospital, a month after he was hospitalised for acute breathing problems. He was 72.
Earlier on Friday his doctor, Michalis Minas told the Cyprus News Agency that the former president died at 5:36 pm local time.
Christofias served a single five-year term as Cyprus’ sixth President from 2008 until 2013.
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades confirmed his predecessor’s death expressing “deep sorrow.” Anastasiades said he and Christofias may have been on divergent political paths, but he did what he thought was best for his country.
Condolences to Christofias’ family poured in from Greek Cypriot political leaders as well as the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots Mustafa Akinci, who tweeted, (translated), “With great sadness, I’ve been made aware of the death of Demetris Christofias, a former Greek Cypriot leader and former General Secretary of AKEL. I express my sincere condolences to his wife and his three children, to the AKEL family and to the Greek Cypriot community in general.”
One of Cyprus’ best-known politicians, Christofias was born in Dikomo in the Kyrenia District, on 29th August 1946, and educated in Cyprus and Moscow.
First elected a member of parliament for Kyrenia in 1991, he was elected president of the House of Representatives in 2001. It was during his second term as speaker that he was elected president of the Republic in 2008.
Christofias was the only Cypriot president not to seek re-election, citing his failure to achieve his “life’s vision” of reunifying the country that had been split since Turkey invaded in 1974.
Christofias’ “man-of-the-people” persona endeared him to many.
He underwent a life-saving kidney transplant in 1999, in which the donor was his sister. He also had open-heart surgery earlier in the same year.
John Kyriakides, Chairman of LGR, said, “I am really saddened to learn of the death of Demetris. He was a good friend of LGR and I will keep fond memories of the former Cyprus President.”
An Extraordinary Cabinet Meeting was held on Saturday chaired by President Anastasiades confirming that the funeral of the former President will take place on Tuesday 25th June at the Holy Church of God’s Wisdom, in Strovolos, at 1700 local time.
After the meeting, Government Spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said that the Cabinet have declared national mourning until the day of the funeral, which will also be a public holiday.
Flags will fly at half-mast on all government buildings and schools.
Mr Christofias is survived by his wife, Elsie, two daughters, a son and grandchildren.
LGR express their sincere condolences to family and friends.
Article written by London Greek Radio
The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has elected the new Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain.
The Holy and Holy Synod unanimously elected Metropolitan Nikitas of Dardanelles as the new Archbishop of Thyateira.
Metropolitan Nikitas (Lulias) of Dardanelles, Exarch of All Hellespont, his birth name Nikitas Loulias was born in Tampa, Florida, United States June 22nd 1955.
He studied at the University of Florida, from which he received honours degrees in Religion (1976). He then attended the Theological School of the Holy Cross of Boston, where he graduated in 1980 and then completed postgraduate studies at the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1982).
He was ordained a Deacon in 1985 by Archbishop Jacob of America and in the same year he became a Presbyter. He served in Saints Constantine and Helen (Merriville, IN) Church, and, since 1987, in the Holy Diocese of Chicago as Secretary.
In 1988 he received the Archimandrite’s officium and became a Protosyncellus at the same Bishopric.
In St. Petersburg, Russia, he completed his studies in History and Russian language. He taught selected courses on Orthodoxy at the Loyola University of Chicago.
On December 2, 1996, he was unanimously elected as Metropolitan of Hong Kong and ordained on the 14th of the same month at the Patriarchal Church of St. George.
His enthronement took place at St. Luca Cathedral in Hong Kong on January 12, 1997 and became the first regular priest of the newly-established Hong Kong Metropolis, and then he was appointed at the Dardanelles Metropolis in 2007.
It is finally worth mentioning that Metropolitan Nikitas is the Director of the Berkeley USA Patriarchal Orthodox Institute “Patriarch Athenagoras” in Berkeley, USA.
Metropolitan Nikitas succeeds His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios who has been Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain since 16th April 1988.
Born in the present-day Turkish-occupied village of Marathovounos in the district of Famagusta, Cyprus, on 28th October 1928, Archbishop Gregorios was appointed to the Church of All Saints in Camden, London in April 1959. He was ordained presbyter by the late Archbishop of Thyateira, Athenagoras Kavvadas, in the same month.
In 1964 he was appointed Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Thyateira. On 12th December 1970 he was consecrated Bishop of Tropaeou by the blessed former Archbishop of Thyateira Athenagoras Kokkinakis at the Cathedral of St Sophia. From the first day of his ordination he undertook to organise and administer St. Mary’s Cathedral and the Church of St. Barnabas the Apostle in Wood Green, North London.
Article written by
A zumba class has raised £6002.00 for charity in a 8.5 mile sponsored walk.
Think Zumba walked through parks from East Finchley to Westminster last month [Sunday 5th May 2019] as part of a North London Hospice Big Fun Walk.
The group donned sashes, charity t-shirts and trainers to take on the challenge alongside hundreds of other walkers through Primrose Hill, Cherry Tree Wood and Regents Park.
Soulla Violaris was walking in aid of the North London Hospice, joining other charity walkers, for this fantastic cause. Soulla is a legendary broadcaster on LGR working for the station since 1985, till present time.
Well done Team Think Zumba and to everyone who donated to such an amazing and giving cause! We’ve raised £6002.00 for the North London Hospice – thank you NLH for all you do and now we give back to you xxx [Think Zumba]
Group leader Roulla Violaris said: “Unfortunately we have all lost someone close to us from cancer and we saw the North London Hospice as an appropriate charity to raise funds for, to help patients become more comfortable whilst having terminal cancer.”
The Think Zumba group in Barnet launched eight years ago.
Article written by London Greek Radio
London Greek Radio is pleased to announce that we will be joining thousands at this year’s Cypriot Wine Festival and Business Expo on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June.
Come and visit us at the LGR Stand. Meet a few LGR personalities and take part in our lucky free draw.
One winner will claim a pair of return tickets to Cyprus.
Ask an official LGR CyWineFest19 member of the team for details!
Cyprus Competition: Prize Draw Terms and Conditions
This prize draw is open to residents of the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man aged 18 years or over, except employees of London Greek Radio, their families, agents or anyone else professionally associated with the draw.
Details of how to enter form part of the terms and conditions. It is a condition of entry that all rules are accepted as final and that the competitor agrees to abide by these rules. The decision of the judges is final, and no correspondence will be entered into. The Promoter reserves the right to modify the Promotion at any time without prior notice.
Entries must be submitted via the completion of a form which must include a phone number and entry is restricted to one per person. Late, illegible, incomplete, defaced or corrupt entries, or entries sent through agencies and third parties, will not be accepted. No responsibility can be accepted for lost entries and proof of despatch will not be accepted as proof of receipt.
One winner will be drawn at random from all entries received by the closing date.
All entries must be received by 23.59pm on 2nd June 2019.
The winner will be contacted by telephone or email within ten days of the closing date of the prize draw and are required to confirm acceptance within 21 days of notification. Should the Promoter be unable to contact a winner, or should a winner be unable to confirm their acceptance of the prize, the Promoter reserves the right to award the prize to an alternative winner, drawn in accordance with these terms and conditions. The Promoter may ask the winner to provide proof of age and/or country of residence.
The prize as described is available on the date of publication.
The winner will receive two return tickets to Cyprus.
The prize excludes, transfers, accommodation, taxes, baggage charges, meals and drinks, excursions, attractions, treatments, travel insurance, personal expenses, and visas. The winner and their companion/s must hold a current and valid passport and any other relevant travel documentation required for travel to and entry to Cyprus.
It is the responsibility of the winner to (i) organise and pay costs associated with obtaining visas for the travelling party; (ii) ensure that the travelling party is adequately insured including without limitation covering overseas medical costs, and (iii) ensure that the travelling party adheres to the travel itinerary and other relevant safety instructions as set out by the prize provider.
It is the responsibility of the winner to manage the full coordination of any wheelchair or similar access requirements for the winner and/or their companion when taking up the prize, and to adhere to any applicable health and safety guidelines.
Where any of the winner’s companions are aged under 18 years old, they must have prior parental or guardian permission and must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over when taking up the prize.
The tickets must be used by 31st December 2019. The tickets exclude peak season and seats are subject to availability.
All elements of the prize are subject to availability, non-transferable and there are no cash alternatives. It cannot be sold or given to an alternative party.
In winning the prize, the prize winner automatically conforms to the standard booking terms and conditions of the airline.
The winner and their guests may be required to participate in publicity.
Events may occur that render the prize draw itself or the awarding of the prize impossible due to reasons beyond the control of the Promoter and accordingly the Promoter may, at its absolute discretion, vary or amend the promotion and the entrant agrees that no liability shall attach to the Promoter as a result thereof.
LGR is responsible for the first part of the promotion, which is the publication and adjudication of the prize draw.
This prize is up to the value of £500.00.
Promoter: LGR, London Greek Radio, 437 High Road, N12 0AP
Article written by London Greek Radio
London Greek Radio is pleased to announce that we will be joining thousands at this year’s Cypriot Wine Festival and Business Expo on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June. See us at Stand B39 nearest to the stage…
It’s back for the 37th year and we understand that it’s going to be bigger and better than ever!
For everyone who loves food, drink, culture and tradition, mixed in with business opportunities and a fun-filled party vibe, #CyWineFest is the place to go. Thousands of people attend over the two-day event each year.
Last year, LGR returned to #CyWineFest and this year, we have teamed up with the organisers, Parikiaki, to play a bigger part in the event.
The listeners have a chance to meet a few LGR personalities, and win prizes in our lucky draw.
The top prize is to WIN A PAIR of return tickets to Cyprus courtesy of London Greek Radio.
Ask an official LGR CyWineFest19 member of the team for details!
The event also includes a fantastic entertainment programme of both traditional Cypriot dances and musicians, and in true CyWineFest style, they are “topping the bill” with Peggy Zina attending from Athens.
#CyWineFest reveals line-up with Philhellenes Dance Group (South London dance group; Elizabeth Chapman (singer); Marathovounos Community Choir (from Cyprus); George Germanakis (singer); Alex Jacovides (bouzouki player); Katerina Neocleous (singer); Bi-Communal Music and Dance Association “Cyprus” (dance group from Cyprus); Tiana Lydia (singer), Platinum Performing Arts, Roger Grech (singer); Bambas Shaouna (Britain’s Got Talent); Mario Christou (dancing zeimbekiko), Eleni C (singer).
The thousands who attend can enjoy unlimited wine tasting with some of Cyprus’ award winning wines. They can also visit the CyWineFest Cocktail Bar, Laiko Kafenio serving Cypriot coffee and frappes, as well as souvlakia, traditional toasted sandwiches, kalamari, kleftiko, koubes, loukmades, ice cream and a whole range of sweet and savoury treats to try and buy.
Entry tickets start from £6.00 and tickets for the concert start from £25.00.
This year, the event takes place on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June, 11.30am – 11.30pm, at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Lee Valley Leisure Complex, 61 Meridian Way, Enfield N9 0AR.
London Greek Radio (LGR), official supporters of #CyWineFest.
We are looking forward to seeing you there. Come and say hello!
Article written by London Greek Radio
Think Zumba take on a 8.5 mile charity walk from East Finchley to Westminster on Sunday 5th May as part of a North London Hospice Big Fun Walk.
The group will don sashes, charity t-shirts and trainers to take on the ‘annual’ challenge. In the preceding years of 2017 and 2018, Think Zumba in Barnet have collectively raised £11,000, and these funds have been earmarked for the North London Hospice. Every penny that is raised has directly gone to support the work of this fantastic place.
The group have been helping raise money for the North London Hospice as an appropriate charity to raise funds for, to help patients become more comfortable whilst having terminal cancer.
We would be ever so grateful to anyone who would give even the smallest donation to help the group raise the necessary funds.
Here is a link to their MoneyGiving Page: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/THINKZUMBA
Here is a link to their MoneyGiving Page: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/THINKZUMBA
Article written by London Greek Radio
Cypriot girl urgently seeks Bone Marrow Donor
A Greek-Cypriot girl from Edmonton, Stella Charalambous, is in desperate need of a bone marrow donation. The Cypriot community, are asked to support and participate in a planned sampling to find a compatible bone marrow donor for Stella Charalambous, a Cypriot from North London, with roots in the Cypriot village of Argaka, who is facing a serious battle against leukaemia.
Sampling to find a compatible donor is being scheduled on Sunday 31st March 2019 at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church Hall, 2 Logan Road, Edmonton, London, N9 0LP from 11am to 3pm. Sampling will be carried out by means of ‘coating’ (taking a sample of your saliva).
If you are free on this day, aged between 17-55 and in good health please pop down and spare 5 minutes of your time.
Supported by The Leukaemia Society.
Article written by London Greek Radio
