PITTSBURGH, PA – The celebrations and commemorations in Western Pennsylvania honoring the Bicentennial of the Greek Revolution of 1821, which began in March, continue in July. This time, the theme is centered on the heroic participation, contribution, and sacrifices of the people of Cyprus – both in mainland Greece and its islands, but more importantly in the lesser-known movements on Cyprus itself for liberation.

The events will be virtual and the details available on the site: https://pahellenicfoundation.org/2021/Cyprus.

The program consists of interconnected historical accounts and tributes including two historical “firsts” in the USA. These events will be presented as a result of the collaborative activities among the American Hellenic Foundation of Western Pennsylvania (AHFWP), The Greek Nationality Room Committee at the University of Pittsburgh, and the European Art Center (EUARCE) of Greece.

The program will be presented over a five-day period and is open to the public.

On Wednesday, July 7, 8 PM EDT, Roll Call and Historic Reminisce of the Cypriot Fighters in the Revolution of 1821 – A historical account of, and tribute to the Cypriots who participated in the mainland campaigns in Greece as well as those who prepared the groundwork in Europe and who were also martyrs of struggles in Cyprus itself. Introducing this event, through a greeting, is distinguished guest, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the United States Marios Lysiotis.

On Thursday, July 8, 8 PM EDT, Letters from Cyprus – The Massacres of July 1821; the unknown memoirs of John Carne, Esq., Queen’s College Cambridge, who in  1826 published a series of letters on the massacres in Cyprus in the month of July 1821.

On Friday, July 9-Sunday, July 11 (8 PM EDT nightly), A Poetic Tribute to the Martyrs, "The 9th of July," An Epic Poem composed by Vasilis Michaelides and presented in the English translation by Andreas A. Melas, for the first time, in three parts – as a tribute to the slaughtered heroes of Cyprus of 1821 by students of Cypriot origin and friends of Cyprus. The distinguished guest introducing the poem, its inspiration, and its background/premise (the original as well as the translation) will be Mr. Melas.

Also Friday, July 9-Sunday, July 11 (8 PM EDT nightly), Hymnological Praise – "Triodion of the Hieromartyr," a set of hymns set in a traditional Byzantine musical manner set into hymnologically-metered English as a tribute and in reverence to the Cypriot Hieromartyr Archbishop Kyprianos (Strovolos, 1756-Nicosia, July 9, 1821). The hymns will be presented in three odes across each of the three days by members and friends of the Byzantine Choir of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh.

Pertaining to this program, the representatives of the program committee, Dr. Nick Giannoukakis, Chairperson of the American Hellenic Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and the Greek Nationality Room Committee, and the poet Evangelos Andreou, President of the European Art Center of Greece, note, among other things: "This year’s commemorations and celebrations of the Bicentennial of the Greek Revolution are within the framework of the activities that serve as a cultural bridge between Greece and Greeks abroad, a framework that we have established and are nurturing in Western Pennsylvania over a substantial period of time, with Pittsburgh as the center. Within this commemoration we are presenting – virtually – a series of special features and themes focused on the participation of people of Cyprus in the Greek Revolution of 1821; important contributions which are not too well-known in the lands of the Greek Diaspora. Therefore, in a historical ‘first’, we are – for the first time – presenting the Cypriot contribution to the national struggle, bowing respectfully to the sacrifices of those heroes of the faith and of liberty, the martyrs of Cyprus, whose memory shines the foundation of the resurrection, compelling us to offer the highest honor and gratitude.”

More information is available via email: [email protected].