The National Federation of Cypriots in the UK has been coordinating a campaign to plant olive trees across the United Kingdom to mark our commitment to freedom, peace and reunification in Cyprus, as we approach the 50th tragic anniversary of the illegal Turkish invasion and on-going occupation of the northern 1/3 of the island. The first 3 trees were planted at the War Memorials of Great Yarmouth and Caister-on-Sea as well as the Town Council of Cromer. It was then Scotland’s turn.
The Hellenic Community of Glasgow and the Hellenic Alliance of Scotland sought and received permission from Glasgow City Council to plant an olive tree at Pollok Park on Monday 5th August 2024. The plaque attached to the tree, reads:
The actual ceremony was attended by around 35 compatriots who braved the extremely wet weather and the tree was ceremoniously planted by the Trustee of St. Luke’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Glasgow, Ms Evridiki Chritie-Stakis, the Chairman of the Hellenic Alliance of Scotland, Mr Nondas Pitticas, Mr Nicos Kyriakou representing the UK’s Cypriot Federation and a few more among those attending the ceremony.
Nondas’ historical background was cut short because of the weather and rather than starting from Cyprus’ independence in 1960, it commenced from the eve of the invasion, 13 July 1974
What we remembered on that day:
On 20th July 1974, Turkey launched an invasion of Cyprus that shook the foundations of international law and violated the very principles of the United Nations Charter. This brazen act of aggression, carried out in two phases, resulted in Turkey seizing control of Famagusta and illegally occupying over a third of Cyprus's sovereign territory—a situation that persists to this day.
The human cost of this invasion was staggering. More than 160,000 Greek Cypriots were forcibly uprooted, becoming refugees in their own homeland. Even now, nearly five decades later, these displaced souls are cruelly denied the right to return to their homes and properties by the occupying forces.
In a bitter twist of fate, by the close of 1975, the majority of Turkish Cypriots residing in areas under the legitimate government's control were compelled to abandon their homes. This mass displacement was not a natural migration, but the result of Turkey's coercive policies, forcing these communities into the occupied territories.The plight of those who chose to remain is heart-rending. Initially, 20,000 Greek Cypriots and Maronites bravely stood their ground in the face of occupation. However, relentless pressure and harassment have whittled their numbers down to a mere 300 souls, primarily in the Karpasia Peninsula. This dramatic decline starkly illustrates the occupying regime's flagrant disregard for the Vienna Agreement of 1975, which promised to safeguard the rights and way of life of these communities.
Turkey's grand design for Cyprus becomes clearer when one considers its systematic policy of altering the island's demographics. Since 1974, more than 160,000 Turkish settlers have been transplanted to the occupied territories. This calculated move, coupled with the expulsion of Greek Cypriots, the obliteration of cultural heritage, and the erasure of historic place names, betrays a sinister agenda: the complete 'Turkification' of Northern Cyprus.
The international community has not stood silent in the face of these transgressions. The United Nations Security Council, through Resolutions 541 (1983) and 550 (1984), has unequivocally condemned the unilateral declaration of the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as legally invalid. These resolutions call upon all nations to respect Cyprus's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and to refrain from recognising or assisting this illegitimate entity.
Perhaps the most heart-wrenching aspect of this ongoing tragedy is the issue of missing persons. Thousands of Greek Cypriots were detained in concentration camps, with over 2,000 prisoners of war illegally transferred to Turkey. Hundreds more—civilians and soldiers alike—vanished in the occupied territories. Their fate remains unknown, a source of unending anguish for their loved ones.
As we reflect on these events, we must not lose sight of the human stories behind the statistics. Each missing person, each displaced family, and each violated right represents a wound in the heart of Cyprus that has yet to heal. The international community must redouble its efforts to right these historical wrongs and restore justice to this beautiful Mediterranean island.
The Symbolic Planting and Rooting of Hope:
As we stood in the rain at Pollok Park, watching the olive tree take root in Scottish soil, we were reminded of the enduring spirit of the Cypriot people. This tree, though small now, carries with it the weight of history and the promise of a better future.
The olive tree has long been a symbol of peace, its branches offered as a sign of reconciliation and hope. By planting these trees across the United Kingdom, we're not just commemorating a painful past; we're cultivating a vision for a peaceful, reunified Cyprus.
Each leaf of this olive tree represents a story – of those displaced, of the missing, and of communities torn apart. But it also represents the resilience of the Cypriot people and the unwavering support of their friends across the globe.
As this tree grows, so too does our hope for Cyprus. Its roots will deepen, just as our commitment to justice and peace for the island strengthens with each passing year. And one day, when its branches spread wide, we hope they will shelter a new generation of Cypriots – one that knows unity, not division; peace, not conflict.
This olive tree in Glasgow, like its counterparts across the UK, stands as a living memorial and a beacon of hope. It reminds us that even in the face of ongoing occupation and injustice, we must never cease in our efforts to nurture peace, to seek reconciliation, and to work towards a future where all Cypriots can return home.
As we nurture these trees, we nurture our hope for Cyprus. May their growth mirror the progress towards a just resolution, and may their enduring presence remind us all of our commitment to a free, peaceful, and reunited Cyprus.
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