Melbourne, July: Events for Cyprus

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From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>

Originally From: Jack.Garivaldis@ftiap.com

The Victorian cultural activities and protest rallies are concluding this week after more than a fortnight of various actions. The most memorable of those were:

July 12 - two cultural events taking place:

1. The launch of a book '' 74 in the shade'' by Iakovos Garivaldis. A true story of courage and heroism in the midst of the 1974 invasion, written in a poem, about 80 pages long. The book has already received enormously positive reviews from academics, linguists and writers alike. The function was supported by the Hellenic Writers' Association of Australia, SEKA, and the Cyprian Community of Melbourne. Anyone wishing to order the book can write to the email address jack.garivaldis@ftiap.com

2. A cultural music concert, which was organised by all the Greek musicians of Melbourne for the benefit of the Cypriot cause. It was attended by about 400 Greeks and Greek-Cypriots who applauded the performers. The performers were Stelios Tsiolas, Kostas Tsikaderis, Ahileas Giagoulis, the Florina Choir and many other musicians and artists.

July 15

A dinner in memory of those who lost their properties, their possesions and their loved ones in the invasion and subsequent war in 1974. A number of people who fought in the resistance have spoken about their trauma and destruction of war. A couple of them were Mr Koulis Aristidou, who fought in the second invasion being part of the 33 regiment. Another was Andreas Spyridoy, and Antonis Koukouma who was taken to Adana as a prisoner but with the intervention of the Internation Red Cross was released to tell the stories of hardship, beatings and torture of the prisoners.

July 19

A rally, organised by the Cypriot Support Organising Committee here in Melbourne which involved about 6000 Greeks and Greek-Cypriots chanting "Turkish troops out of Cyprus" and "Justice for Cyprus".

The speakers which were from local government and opposition parties all spoke of a just solution in accordance with UN resolutions. One of the speakers, a Cypriot lady by the name of Niki Farfara Pashou, who has a brother missing in the invasion, read a letter who was meant for her brother. This letter brought many people's emonions to the forefront, and created an atmosphere of despair for the 24 years without a solution to the issue.

July 26

A second book launch, which was again supported by the Hellenic Writer's Association of Australia in memory of those who fought in that war and lost their lives. The book is a collection of poems, by Kaiti Paylou. Again this book can be obtained from writing to jack.garivaldis@ftiap.com

Iakovos Garivaldis President of the Hellenic Writers' Association of Australia

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