• Fri. Feb 7th, 2025

CYPRUS TRAVELLER GUIDE

Updated daily for people visiting & living in Cyprus

April 1st Public Holiday In Cyprus

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 war of independence against the British Empire in 1955. It was this date when the rebellion, led by EOKA for the island to secure independence officially began. Hostilities would last four years and see Cyprus finally gain its independence on October 1st 1960. 

April 1st Public Holiday In Cyprus

BRITISH ADMINISTRATION

British administration over Cyprus began in 1878 when it gained control of the island in exchange for military support for the Ottoman Empire. The British however, annexed the island at the start of World War 1 when the two empires found themselves on opposing sides. In a changing world after the war, the idea of self-determination or a possible unification with Greece gathered momentum with Greek Cypriots on the island and this ultimately led to the formation of EOKA.  

THE EOKA STRUGGLE

A referendum organised by the Church of Cyprus on January 15th 1950 saw 95.7% of the all voters advocate an end to British rule and a union with Greece. Greece had made numerous efforts to force the issue with successive appeals to the UN, but it was obvious that a peaceful outcome would not prevail. This directly led to the foundation of EOKA in 1954 by Greek Cypriot Nationalist leader George Grivas with a view of forming an ethnic Cypriot group of fighters that would take the fight directly to the British. EOKA stands for National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters and they became not only the flag bearers for the island’s fight for independence, but also spearheaded a brutal campaign against the British. Whilst Grivas led the military arm of EOKA, Archbishop Makarios III was installed as their political leader and he became their main negotiator and the eventual first president of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960.

April 1st Public Holiday In Cyprus

A MILITARY CAMPAIGN

EOKA’S main goal was to achieve independence or a union with Greece and they used a military campaign of guerrilla tactics to carry out attacks against British Colonial Authorities all over Cyprus. On April 1st 1955, co-ordinated attacks led by George Grivas against British military and police installations across the island began. The civil war would last until the signing of the Zurich-London agreements in 1959, which established the Republic of Cyprus as an independent state.

A PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Today the holiday is a day to honour 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 will also take place across the whole of Cyprus. Banks, government offices and many businesses will remain closed.

April 1st Public Holiday In Cyprus

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