Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides on Wednesday stressed the importance of passing on the legacy of Eoka’s liberation struggle to younger generations during commemorations at Apostolos Varnavas cathedral.
He said teaching the sacrifices of those who fought for Cyprus’ independence from Britain reinforces respect for historical identity.
President’s remarks
In a social media post, Christodoulides wrote that “virtue and courage require deep knowledge”. He said that teaching the sacrifices of those who fought for Cyprus’ independence from Britain does not undermine efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem.
Government spokesperson statement
Government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said, “we honour the memory, the sacrifice, the struggle of one of the most glorious chapters of our modern history. We have an obligation to convey and pass on this episode to the younger generations.”
Background on Eoka and the Cyprus Emergency
Eoka was formed in 1955 under the leadership of General George Grivas and launched an armed campaign against British colonial rule with the aim of achieving union with Greece. The period was known to the colonial government at the time as the Cyprus Emergency and saw violence directed at British forces as well as intercommunal tensions between Eoka and the Turkish Cypriot paramilitary faction, the Turkish resistance organisation (TMT), led by Rauf Denktash.
How should Cyprus balance teaching its modern history with efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem?
