Tag Archives: Inter-communal relations

Memorial to the Greco-Turkish alliance

Μνημείο Ελληνοτουρκικής Φιλίας (4)n Μνημείο Ελληνοτουρκικής Φιλίας (5)n Μνημείο Ελληνοτουρκικής Φιλίας (7)n

Artist: Unknown

Location: Greco-Turkish Alliance Square, Larnakas Avenue, Aglandjia. Nicosia district

Material: Cement and Brick

Category: Inter-communal relations, Modern sculpture

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The initiative for the monument was taken in 1982 by the committee for Aglandjia environmental improvement. Before Aglandjia became a municipality this committee was the only official authority for Aglandjia area. The decision ignited intense reaction from “Kyriakos Karaolis” nationalist association that took it as “an attempt that undermines the fighting spirit and morally enslaves our people […] The timing for such monuments is unrealistic when the biggest part of Aglandjia fields are occupied”. Equally intense were the reactions of the inhabitants, a large part of which are refugees from the occupied areas, commenting: “If they dare go through the ‘Monument of Disgrace’, we will have no choice but to burn it”.

The unveiling took place in 1983.

Selected sources:
~ Σημερινή (Simerini), August 12, 1983, p. 9.

Keywords:

Memorial to the Armenian Genocide

Μνημείο Αρμενικής Γενοκτονίας (1) n

Μνημείο Αρμενικής Γενοκτονίας (12) n  Μνημείο Αρμενικής Γενοκτονίας (14) n

Artist: Giorgos Kalakallas 

Location: Larnaka marina, Finikoudes beach walk, Athinon Avenue. Larnaka district. 

Material: Brass and granite 

Category: Armenians, International relations, Inter-communal relations, Modern sculpture

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The monument marks the place where Armenian refugees, fleeing persecution during the “Armenian massacres” or “Great Crime” of 1915, first landed in Cyprus. According to the plaque inserted on the nearby wall “It represents the gratitude of the Armenian nation towards the people of Cyprus for their assistance and generosity to those refugees and stands in memory of the countless victims of the Armenian genocide”. 

The creation of the memorial was a joint effort on part of Cyprus and Armenia. It was initiated by the Armenian Representative in the Cypriot parliament Bedros Kalaydjian and funded by Cyprus government. The unveiling took place on May 28th 2008. 

Selected sources:
~Αρχείο Συμβουλευτικής Επιτροπής Μνημείων Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (Advisory Monuments’ Committee) 14.3.01/9, document May 19, 2005; July 19, 2005.

Keywords:

Kostas Misiaoulis (Κώστας Μισιαούλης) and Dervis Ali Kavazoglu (Ντερβίς Αλί Καβάζογλου) busts

Dervis Ali Kavazoglu n Kostas Misiaoulis n
Dervis Ali Kavazoglou                                        Kostas Miaoulis 

Προτομές Ντερβίς Αλί Καβάζογλου και Κώστα Μισιαούλη n

Artist: Leonidas Spanos 

Location: Athenou-Larnaka road, at the entrance of the village. Larnaka district. 

Material: Bronze 

Dimensions: 145 cm x 103 cm x 21~103 cm

Category: Inter-communal relations, Political Assassinations, Turkish Cypriots

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The memorial was commissioned in 1996 by the Athienou popular unions and the cost was covered through fundraising. On the ground in front of the two busts is written: “Passer, remember that here fascists murdered the heroic martyrs of Greek Turkish friendship on April 11th 1965” (Εσύ διαβάτη που περνάς να θυμάσαι, εδώ δολοφονήθηκαν στις 11-4-1965 οι ηρωομάρτυρες της ελληνοτουρκικής φιλίας από τον φασισμό).

The unveiling took place on April 6th 1997.

Selected sources:
~Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), October 7, 1996, p. 6.

Keywords: