Anniversaries and events have always been important in our lives. It is no different for tcountries too. In keeping with tradition Cyprus issued these two FDCs and the lovely stamps on them to highlight some important dates, namely on the 29.9.1985. Merja sent me these two pretty FDCs.
EOKA (Greek for National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters)) but sometimes expanded as Ethnikí Orgánosis Kipriakoú Agónos (Greek for National Organisation of Cypriot Struggle) was a Greek Cypriot nationalist military resistance organisation that fought a violent campaign for the end of British rule of Cyprus, as well as for self-determination, and for union with Greece (enosis). The United Kingdom had promised Greece unification with Cyprus if Greece would enter World War I on the side of the Allies; but the Greeks declined this invitation and therefore the promise was never realised. In the 1950s, EOKA organised to free the Greek Cypriots from British rule. The leadership of AKEL at the time (a political party with communist roots), opposed EOKA's military action, advocating the Gandhiesque approach of civil disobedience such as workers' strikes and demonstrations. This came into direct contrast with the previous leadership who some five years previously had organised the plebiscite of 1950, where the vast majority of Greek Cypriots who voted were for the union with Greece (98%). EOKA was an anticolonial, antiimperialist nationalist organisation with the ultimate goal of "The liberation of Cyprus from the British yoke". Although not stated in its initial declaration of existence which was printed and distributed on the 1st of April 1955, EOKA also had a target of achieving enosis (union of Cyprus with Greece). Despite this ideology being reflected in many of its members (and chiefly its military leader George Grivas) throughout the armed campaign, it was not of universal acceptance. The head of the political arm of EOKA, Makarios, took a more compromising approach especially during the later stages of the struggle. There were arguments of collusion with the CIA to further american interests. Ultimately, the intents of the struggle were political, not military. EOKA wanted to attract the attention of the world through high profile operations that would make the press headlines. In his memoirs Grivas admits to "by deeds of heroism and self sacrifice to draw the attention of international public opinion, especially among the allies of Greece".
International Youth Year. With the slogan "Participation, Development and Peace" the United Nations Organisation proclaimed 1985 as International Youth Year. Basic aim of the International Youth Year is for mankind to become aware to a large degree of the importance of Youth and to give the chance and possibility for a greater active participation and involvement in the process of social and economic development and in the benefits that result from this. The 13c stamp, depicting the International Youth Year emblem, has been released on this occasion.
European Music Year. The Council of Europe and the European Communities declared 1985 as European Music Year. The reason is that this year the birth-anniversaries of great European composers, Bach, Handel, Scarlatti, Berg and Schutz coincide. It aims at making better understood the role of music in modern society and the responsibilities of the governments of Europe towards music. Cyprus has released the 15c stamp depicting the Cypriot composer, orchestra-conductor and musicologist Solon Michaelides (1905-1979).
40th Anniversary of the United Nations Organisation. The foundation of the United Nations Organisation on October 24, 1945 is a milestone and starting point of the post war history of the world. With 159 members (in 1985), the UNO functions for the preservation and consolidation of world peace and security, the development of friendship among peoples of the world and the attainment of international cooperation in the search for ways and methods of peaceful confrontation of world and international problems.
25th Anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus. Twenty five years ago, a short while after midnight of the 15th to 16th of August, 1960 the flag of the Republic of Cyprus was hoisted for the first time in all public buildings in Cyprus. The Republic of Cyprus was recognized as a sovereign and independent state and was accepted in the family of nations in September 21, 1960, when it became a member of the United Nations Organisation. In 1961 Cyprus became member of the Council of Europe and the British Commonwealth. The government of the Republic was carried out smoothly and the Republic proceeding with a firm and quick step towards progress, till December 1963 when, owing to the partitionist and expansionist policy of Turkey, Cyprus was wounded by the Turkish Cypriot rebellion. Yet both communities continued living in peace next to each other until the Turkish invasion of July-August 1974. Today, twenty five years after the establishment of the Republic, the people of Cyprus continue experiencing the painful results of the invasion and they are firm in their resolve to continue their efforts and find a peaceful, just and viable solution to the problem which safeguard of all inhabitants.
30 Years from the Commencement of the National Liberation Struggle. Thirty years have passed sine the heroic liberation struggle of the people of Cyprus started on April 1, 1955. The epos of legendary E.O.K.A. (National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters) is the result of a deliberate effort of the people of Cyprus who inspired by lofty principles and ideals and joined in a campaign with unanimity and faith in the struggle fought, under the political leadership of Archbishop Makarios III and the military leadership of Georghios Grivas-Dhigenis, to throw off the foreign yoke and for the freedom of their country. The heroic epos of 1955-59 with its sacrifices, its gallows and holocausts, marks the steps of our history and our national fate and renews today our faith and attachments to the moral values which guide our trying historic course. The stamp depicts a detail from the "Barn of Liopetri" painted by Pol. Georghiou.
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