On 22nd June, a sunny Sunday afternoon, we filled the Greek Cypriot Brotherhood hall to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Association of Rizokarpasso in Britain. We ate a traditional souvla meal, danced and enjoyed the company of friends and relatives in what was a truly, family and friends orientated, joyful community atmosphere. We were also meeting to recall and be proud of our ethnic roots and to remember the sacrifice that our enclaved compatriots in Rizokarpasso have made since 1974 and their heroic decision to remain in their ancestral homes. We are pleased that a very small number of compatriots have returned to Rizokarpasso since, as the years pass, the original enclaved people are growing older and their numbers are decreasing, whilst there were about 4,000 Greek Cypriots in Rizokarpasso before the Turkish invasion of 1974, there are now 258.
Present amongst the guests was the Consul General Odysseas Odysseos, Archimandrite Rt. Rev. Damianos, Deputy Leader of Barnet Council Ross Houston, President of the National Federation of Cypriots UK Christos Karaolis, Cllr Tony Vourou and Secretary of the Greek Cypriot Brotherhood Andreas Karaolis. The President of the Association of Rizokarpasso Mary Karaolis welcomed and thanked those present for their commitment and continuous support and thanked the Cyprus High Commission that every year arranges for the delivery of a €50 Christmas present inside a Christmas card from the Association of Rizokarpasso to be delivered to each of the enclaved school children in Rizokarpasso, currently 46 children. Everyone present was delighted to receive a 50th Anniversary commemorative brochure outlining the work of the Association of Rizokarpasso in Britain and the Help Rizokarpasso Charity for the past year and containing photographs and listing committee members since 1975. The brochure includes a brief history of the Association 1975-2025 as well as a brief history of Rizokarpasso with photos.
