Bi-communal march to rally public confidence
A BI-COMMUNAL peace march is to take place in along the Finikoudes seafront in Larnaca tomorrow in an attempt to boost confidence between the two sides that was damaged after the 2004 referendum on the Annan plan.
The march is being organised by the Youth Encounters for Peace (YEP) bi-communal groups. The YEP groups of young Cypriots are not affiliated with any political party and have been operating on a volunteer basis since 1997. They have all joined the common struggle to eliminate prejudice and stereotypes of each other, acknowledging each other’s pain and at the same time celebrating our togetherness.
“These are times when the level of trust between the two main communities in Cyprus has reached an alarmingly low level,” said an announcement from the organisers.
“The enthusiasm and hope that we experienced after the opening of the checkpoints in April 2003 has been replaced by disappointment at the continuing stalemate and, for many, there is an indifference for the dream of reunification of Cyprus.”
However, despite this, the organisers said there were still many people from both sides who still trusted each other and their friendship was not affected by the constant ups and downs of the political barometer.
“These people of all ages and everyone else who believes in peace, in friendship, in trust, in reconciliation, in forgiveness and in the need for citizens to build bridges between them as prerequisite for the solution are invited to this march,” they said.
One of the organisers Nicos Anastasiou said the march was not only open to Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots but to anyone concerned with the future of Cyprus.
“People of other nationalities who live in Cyprus and have their children being raised here are, of course, especially welcome to the march,” said Anastasiou.
“They often feel left out from such events even though they need and deserve to have a say in what is going on about the future of this island. So, this is a call for all who are for peace, who are against fanaticism, racism and all kinds of prejudice.”
Tomorrow’s march will begin at midday. Turkish Cypriots will be waiting for the Greek Cypriots in the area next to the mosque and the fort in the Finikoudes seafront area, while Greek Cypriots will start the march from the Ayios Lazaros square at exactly 12pm.
The two groups will merge in the area next to the mosque and then march together for about 10 minutes along the Phinikoudes sea front.
Members of bi-communal youth groups will be holding banners with the phrase “I trust my friend….” that will have the name of a special friend from the ‘other side’.
A short symbolic ceremony will then take place in Europe Square, followed by contributions by the Bi-communal Choir for Peace, the Bi-communal group Dance for Peace and singers Adamos Katsantonis and Yiltan Tasgi. The event is supported by the municipality of Larnaca.
For Turkish Cypriots, bus departures from Nicosia will take place from the Ledra Palace at 10:30am, while Famagusta departure will take place from the Strovilia checkpoint at 10:30am.
For the Nicosia bus facility contact Sarper Ince (0533-8409792), and Famagusta Shenol Saglamer (0542-8527877).
All buses will start the return journeys at 3pm.
For Greek Cypriots, anyone from Nicosia wishing to attend but does not have a means of transport should contact Anna Argyrou at 99-427119.
For further information please contact the YEP project coordinators, Sarper Ince (0533-8409792), or Nicos Anastasiou (99-498531), or e-mail to: [email protected]
