To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of the Republic of Cyprus on July 20, 1974, the organizers of the Clergy-Laity Congress have commissioned a special concert titled “Cyprus: Land of Embrace.” This event aims to honor the memory of the invasion and reflect on the ongoing division of the island.
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America began the program with warm words, thanking “all of the performers and producers of the program in advance for their labor of love, especially Isidoros and Maria Garifalakis for their lead sponsorship of this event,” as well as Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus for their participation, “which [brought] further dignity and honor to the evening.”
The Archbishop noted we are “fifty years from the invasion and the illegal seizure and occupation of one third of this sovereign Island Nation by the Turkish troops,” which we must not let the world forget: Cyprus is a touchstone of Greek identity and culture and will always remain so.
Archbishop Elpidophoros asked those present to take inspiration from the evening and to share the Cypriot cause for justice with the world saying, “we will not allow another decade to pass without a peaceful, just, and fair solution to be accepted.” He presented Madam Deputy Chief of Myrianthi Spathi with a gift, accepted by the honorary Consul General of Cyprus in Los Angeles Andreas Kyprianidis, for her tireless efforts and commitment to the Cypriot cause.
The concert featured electric performances by musicians from across the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, each of whom paid tribute to Cyprus through their musical gifts. An atmosphere of joyful reflection and solidarity prevailed as the audience and performers moved through the songs bringing exuberant celebration and somber remembrance. The audience spontaneously sang along – clapping their hands, some Greek dancing.
Acts and Highlights of the Concert
The first act, Mnemosyne (remembrance and honoring tradition), drew attention to the rich and unique culture of Cyprus with a collection of pieces such as the “Idiomelon of Apostle Barnabas,” founder of the Church of Cyprus, arranged by Georgios Theodoridis, and traditional melodies like “Vraka Konialis.”
The following act, Melpomene (tragedy and mourning), explored the ways that fallen human nature has been expressed in the numerous historic atrocities carried out on the island. Among the numbers performed were “Καρτερούμεν” (We Look Forward) and “Αχ χελιδόνι μου” (Oh my Swallow).
The third act drew the audience into a celebration of Cypriot poets and composers in a program entitled Caliope (music and arts), with performances of “Κερύνεια μου” (My Kyrenia) and “Λόγια κλειδωμένα” (Locked Words), among others.
In the final act, Kleio (celebrating history), the audience was invited into a celebration of the historical wins and the perseverance of Cypriots in the face of historical traumas. Arrangements included, among others, “Όμορφη πόλη,” (Beautiful City) and “Χρυσοπράσινο φύλλο” (Gold Green Leaf).
The musical contributions were performed by the Politiko ensemble, an eight-member orchestra, a vocal quartet of faculty and staff of the School of Byzantine Music, guest performers, and the Byzantine Choir of the School of Byzantine Music, directed by Georgios Theodoridis. Vocal soloists included Dimitrios Katsiklis, Spiros Perivolaris, Eleftherios Chasanidis, Stelios Kontakiotis, Demetrios Kehagias, Nektarios Antoniou, Eleni Gaglia, and Georgios Theodoridis. This collaboration of the exceptional performers during the Concert honored the resilience and spirit of the Cypriot community both in the past and in the present.