On Thursday 25 July 2024 at 19.00, the President of the Republic Mrs Katerina Sakellaropoulou will inaugurate the exhibition “Cyprus ’74. I will never forget“, organised by the National History Museum, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. The exhibition is dedicated to a special aspect of the Cypriot tragedy, the nationwide support for the people of Cyprus and their continuous struggle for freedom and justice.

Through rare posters of the period and corresponding photographic material, which emit a variety of messages and symbolism, the tragic events are highlighted in an understandable way. The posters of the exhibition are presented thematically and come from the rich collection of posters of the National Historical Museum. They were issued to inform about events of support in Cyprus, the dynamic rallies organised by Greek and international organisations, the political messages, the call for solidarity with the victims of the invasion. They are also autonomous works of art ‘created by the Turkish invasion’. Several of the posters are works by well-known artists, such as Tassos, Panagiotis Gravvalos, Andreas Antis Ioannidis, Telemachos Kanthos, Andreas Ladommatos, Lefteris Economou, Spyros Ornerakis, Stamatia Trivoulidou, etc., or small graphic works of art by anonymous artists that reflect the mood and pulse of the time. Some are inspired by photographs of the period that accurately captured the events.

Particular mention is made in the report of the contribution of the Panhellenic Association of Support to Cyprus (PESK), whose founding members were prominent figures of the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece. The PESK was created in Athens immediately after the invasion, in August 1974. It brought together men and women who dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to solidarity with Cypriot Hellenism. Among them, Lili Alivizatou, Ioannis Mazarakis-Ainian, Dina Kourouklis, Andreas Vardoulakis, Katie Tenekidis, Dora Xydi, Amalia Fleming, Loukia Konari, Lina Kasdagli, Tatiana Gritsis-Milliex, etc.

The exhibition is curated by Mrs Dimitra Koukiou, Deputy Director of the National Historical Museum and Professor Petros Papapolyviou in collaboration with the curators of the National Historical Museum, Mrs Iphigenia Vogiatzi, Anna Kandia and Androniki Markasioti.

During the opening event, the following will address the audience:

• Mrs. Marietta Minotou, President of the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece

• Mrs. Hariklia Dimakopoulou, Secretary General of the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece

Keynote Speaker:

• Mr. Petros Papapolyviou, Associate Professor of Modern Greek History, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Cyprus. Refugee from Lapithos of Kyrenia

Exhibition Duration: 25 July – 31 December 2024

Opening Times: 

• July-August, Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00-16:00,
• September-December, Tuesday-Friday: 9.00-16:00, Saturday-Sunday: 10.00-16.00