Cypriots Remember "Black July"

August 2023 Cypriot communities in Australia have held events to condemn the military coup by the Greek junta and EOKA B’ and the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in the summer of 1974. Members of the Cypriot diaspora, representatives of the Greek communities in Australia, organizations and friends of Cyprus attended the events. On Sunday 16 July, the Justice for Cyprus Committee (SEKA) in conjunction with the Cyprus Community of South Australia held a wreath laying ceremony at the Community’s Memorial in Welland, attended by representatives of the South Australian Government, Local Government well as many community leaders. Speakers at the event were, Minister Tom Koutsantonis MP representing the Premier Peter Malinauskas, Minister Andrea Michaels MP, Mayor Angela Evans of Charles Sturt Council, the Cyprus Community President Andreas Evdokiou and SEKA Chairman Peter Ppiros. Also in attendance, were, Bishop Silouan of Sinope who conducted the “trisagion”, Mayor Michael Coxon of the West Torrens Council and many representatives of local Greek community associations. On Wednesday 18 July, as part of the commemorative events, a public meeting was held at the Cyprus Community clubrooms with guest speaker, on current developments in Cyprus, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Government of Cyprus Ms Doxa Komodromou, representing the President Nikos Christodoulides. Also in attendance was the High Commissioner of Cyprus in Canberra Antonis Siamoutis. Ms Komodromou and Mr Antonis Siamoutis, held meeting with Government and Opposition officials including Minister for the Arts Andrea Michaels and the office of Senator Simon Birmingham.

Greek Tribune Adelaide, South Australia