Anorthosis sent its own message on the 52nd anniversary of the second phase of the invasion. August 14, 1974, left an indelible mark on the city, yet it failed to extinguish the longing of the people of Famagusta to return to the land of their ancestors.
The announcement from “Kyriá”: “Fifty-two years now, our once-bustling, beautiful daughter lies silent. The clock’s hands stopped on August 14, 1974. But the heart of the city still beats. It finds the strength to beat. Loudly, proudly. With every beat, a verse forms on the lips of its residents, who have temporarily left it and patiently await the day of the Return: “I sing of a city….” Every beat of its heart is a countdown to the Return.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Fifty-two years ago today, the second Attila advanced toward Famagusta. The Turks showed no respect and broke the ceasefire, continuing—with the tolerance of the international community—to carry out their plan to occupy half of Cyprus, sending Ayşe on “vacation”.
With the vast majority of the men of Famagusta outside the city, guarding the Nicosia enclave, Varosha was essentially easy prey for Attila’s heavily armed, barbaric, war machine of Attila. The Turkish tanks sowed havoc and destruction, with women, children, and the elderly fleeing as refugees, seeking safety in the free zones. Meanwhile, those who did not flee either suffered rape and torture, were cowardly murdered by Turkish soldiers, or are still missing, fifty-two years later.
The flight was temporary. For a few days, for a few weeks, for a few years. But the decades pass, and freedom shows no sign of coming. Yet the flight remains temporary. The longing for Return grows ever stronger. The vision of resettling in the city of our ancestors remains the top priority for every Famagustian and grows stronger with each passing year. The flame of the Queen City continues to burn in the hearts of the younger generations, who grow up with the song of Famagusta on their lips.
Anorthosis Famagusta serves as the ambassador of Famagusta and the guardian of the vision of Return. Together with all the refugee associations, we wage a daily and unceasing struggle to keep this flame alive. We must remind first ourselves, then our compatriots, and finally the rest of the world, that this land does not belong to them. They took it by force and are holding it illegally. But just as suddenly as they came, so abruptly will they leave.”
