THE STORY BEHIND THE PUBLIC HOLIDAY CELEBRATING CYPRUS INDEPENDENCE
CYPRUS NATIONAL DAY
Cyprus commemorates Cyprus National Day on April 1st, which marks the anniversary of the start of the Cyprus struggle for independence against the British Empire in 1955. It was at this date when hostilities, led by EOKA, which was the National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters, began to free the island of colonial rule. The Hostilities would continue for nearly five years but would see Cyprus finally gain its independence on October 1st 1960.Â
BRITISH ADMINISTRATION
The British administration of Cyprus began in 1878. The British, who needed a base of operations in the region, gained control of the island in exchange for military support to the Ottoman Empire. This agreement was short-lived, however, when the British and the Ottomans found themselves on opposing sides at the start of World War 1. In a changing world after the Great War, the idea of self-determination or a possible unification with Greece gathered momentum. This led to Greek Cypriots on the island ultimately forming EOKA, who became the main flag bearers for the island’s fight for independence.Â
THE EOKA STRUGGLE
A referendum organised by the Greek Orthodox Church on January 15th 1950, saw 95.7% of all voters on the island, advocate an end to British rule. This prompted the installation of Archbishop Makarios III, as the main Greek Cypriot political leader. He became the main negotiator and constantly held conferences with Greece and the British. A union with Greece was the favoured proposal with Greece fully embracing the idea. Greece made numerous attempts to force the issue with successive appeals to the United Nations, but the British continuously vetoed this. These failed efforts directly led to Greek Cypriot Nationalist leader George Grivas, forming EOKA in 1954. EOKA also formed a military wing that included an ethnic Cypriot group of fighters that would spearhead a brutal military campaign against the British a year later.Â
A MILITARY CAMPAIGN
The main goal for EOKA was to achieve independence for the island or a union with Greece. After negotiations again broke down, a coordinated attack led by George Grivas against British military and police installations across the island began on April 1st 1955. A military campaign of guerrilla tactics saw a series of continuous attacks against stronger British Colonial forces all over Cyprus. These actions would lead to a civil war on the island that would last until the signing of the Zurich-London agreement in 1959. This agreement established the Republic of Cyprus as an independent state and would see Archbishop Makarios III installed as the first president of a new Republic of Cyprus the following year.
A PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Today, April 1st is a day that commemorates and honours the history, culture, and independence of Cyprus. The celebrations typically include parades, flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural performances, and fireworks. Church services and public remembrance services also take place across the island. As the day is an official holiday, banks, government offices and several businesses will remain closed.
