I had prepared my presentation for the founding conference of the EPOD, which, however, after the impressive opening ceremony of the conference, seemed incomplete to me. Firstly, because it was not possible to contain my anger and despair, after my visit the day before to the occupied territoriesAnd secondly because, initially, I faced the Unified Cultural Doctrine Cyprus-Greece and the surrounding area (EPOD) like a calm stream, while during its founding meeting I realized that it is an oceanWhich, if it storms, will swallow everything that, for years, has been bleeding Cyprus and Greece.
Yesterday's founding day of a unified cultural doctrine of Cyprus and Greece-Everywhere in the world, it is not an exaggeration to claim, that went down in historyIts founding members are 25. The Demetrios and Maria Delivanis Foundation is among them.
This excellent initiative, which contains originality, natural patriotism, searching for solutions to the many dead ends of Greece and Cyprus, a deposit of soul, but also a revival of many hopes for the future, belongs to the Xeni Xenophontos and his collaborators. Thanks to this inspiring initiative A period of intense action by the two states begins., which through the Unified Doctrine are enshrined as one and only Nation, which includes within it the Greeks of Apantachos.
The projection of one and only Nation, to which belong Greeks, Cypriots and expatriate compatriots in the far corners of the globe constitutes the core of the Unified Cultural Doctrine. Through the self-awareness of the common past and the indissoluble spiritual union with Greece, the cultivation and promotion is intensified of the eternal values of Greek culture.
Let me also mention another Unified Cultural Doctrine, the Defense, which at times played an important role in the relations between Cyprus and Greece. It is possible that Xenis Xenophon, mentally connected his Unified Cultural Doctrine with the Defense, although the differences between them are, indeed, crucial. And this is because the Cultural Doctrine, unlike the Defense Doctrine, has a fixed content, which remains unchanging over time, is applied on a permanent basis and not periodically, refers to the indissoluble cultural relationship between Greece and Cyprus and has as its main goal the abolition of the two states, through the union of Cyprus with Greece.
I should also add that with the decline of globalization and the prevalence, in the world, of the Nation-State, The content and importance of the Cultural Doctrine are more relevant than ever.It is what, through common traditions, mentally unites the Greeks into one and only Nation, despite the existence of two states.
The Unified Cultural Doctrine is expected to help address of our common problems, of the Greeks everywhere, and to impose the unique Greek Nation, sovereign and powerful, having traditions as its solid foundation.
It goes without saying that the choice of traditions as the basis of the new Doctrine is not accidental. They are those that have proven to withstand the passage of time, and that preserve the identity of the members of a Nation unchanged, so that it can be reassembled when any storm passes. Whether it is war, occupation, or terrorism, no matter how long these adventures last. The Greek Nation continued to exist for centuries, under Turkish occupation., because its traditions kept the enslaved Greeks united, but also conscious, about where they belong, and where they come from, for this entire endless period. And the bonds of enslaved Greeks, thanks to common traditions, they remained inseparable even with the Greeks scattered throughout the world.
But how are these traditions defined? They are the common language, the religion, the history of the Nation, certain particular habits, which are transmitted unchanged, from generation to generation. It is the special music, which upon hearing, those who belong to the same national unity are moved, as they realize that they are something condemning them, which spans the centuries.
It's made of the dances and national costumes, which are recognized by all those who have imprinted them in their memory, and realize that they are something inseparable from their existence. They are some special art forms, which belong to the members of one and only one Nation. There are also some food constructions and flavors, which remain attached to generations, no matter how many they are.
It is, still, some moments in our historical journey, as well as, among other things, difficult battles we won, scientific recognitions we won, athletic triumphs we had, which make us proud, which they unite us inextricably, where we are acutely aware that we belong to some brilliant corner of the Earth, and also that we want to continue to be bound by the bonds of our Nation.
Traditions are those that they make us eternal, and which ensure our unity, even when it is broken due to various anomalies. It is our indelible sealsAnd it is these traditions that reassure us that the long-awaited union of Cyprus and Greece, she sleeps protected within them, and will surely wake up someday.
In particular, we Greeks have, through our traditions, a centuries-old history that laid the foundations of civilization and science throughout the EarthThis past of ours, which is reflected in our traditions, It is our passport, which should make us proud and strong., to face every form of adversity. With our heads held high, and with the strength that is guaranteed to us, through this grandeur that we have been through time. And I should add that this strength that comes to us, from the brilliant achievements of our race, in the past, we've needed it these last few years, perhaps more than ever before.
And this, because The West is sinking into a progressive and inevitable decline., which however should not touch Greek culture, so that he may continue to be respected and honored, even by the successors of Western sovereignty.
At this point, let us ask ourselves what some of our very serious problems are, which we face mainly in Greece, and perhaps less so in Cyprus, and which we hope will be neutralized. under the strong influence of the Unified Cultural Doctrine. In short, it is about perpetuating a destructive weakness of ours, which poses serious obstacles to projecting our glorious tradition, as a passport, in our contacts with friends, partners and enemies. And through it to claim the place we deserve in the world.
It's about her vassalage, this very negative and extremely dangerous behavior of ours, which significantly limits the country's capabilities for the promotion and exploitation of our glorious historical traditions. Which often results in serving foreign interests against our national ones, and which entails risks for our national sovereignty, our development potential, and the claim to a dignified position on the international stage.
Traditions, when they are as valuable as ours, and when they remain unchanged over time, represent the strongest capital for a Nation. Provided, however, that historical data, coordinated policies in favor of forgetting the past, orchestrated attempts at overthrow and decadent developments they do not work together to eliminate them. Unfortunately, as is now clear in the case of our homeland, which at times weighs dangerously on Cyprus as well, these have been happening since our liberation until today, and can be summarized under the heading “subjugation.” Subjugation, but why?
The subjugation, the dependence of our homeland, as reflected in all aspects of our national, economic, social and cultural existence, on centers, actions and decisions outside it, is not, unfortunately, a new phenomenon, although it has dangerously intensified in recent decades. This repulsive reptile, which is dangerously poisoning our homeland, unfortunately, it is part of the foundations on which the modern Greek state was built. The liberation of Greece from the Ottoman Empire found the Great Powers unanimous, obviously because it served their interests, but not its independence. Makrygiannis' statement in his Memoirs is very characteristic that "The Europeans persecuted the unfortunate Greeks. In the early years they supplied the castles of the Turks. They were and are still being persecuted by them. so that they do not exist"England wants to make them English with English justice, the Maltese, barefoot and hungry, the French French, the Russians Russians and Metternich of Austria Austrians and whoever eats them from the four."
Dominance over a Greece formally free but not independent It was the bone of contention between the Great Powers of the time, with the projection of the opposition of Albion and Austria against Russia. Russia was then at the center, and it was the justification of how and why England was on Turkey's side for about three centuriesIt was precisely because Turkey was against Russia. The reason why Kapodistrias was murdered, who at that same time took over the governance of the newly formed Greek state, was probably because he was perceived as a RussophileAnd this treatment of Russia, which in many cases is unjustified or explained by interests that do not concern us, is maintained in our days, and is even intensifying, and even often turns against us.
Kapodistrias' vision was a free but also independent Greece, which was extinguished with his assassination. And as unthinkable as it may seem, this vision remained impossible to revive for 194 years. On the contrary, although the names of the Great Powers, which they are sucking the wealth out of our country, possibly mutate over time, and their respective objectives differ under the influence of evolving global conditions, But the loop of our subjugation has taken root and seems unmoved.. And not only that, but according to all indications, it is becoming increasingly strangling. One could, of course, seek numerous causes for this very unpleasant situation. However, among them the general observation prevails that over this long period, there have been no significant efforts to eradicate itThat is, dependence was tacitly accepted.
And alongside subservience, a certain, I would say, confusion of our national identity is also cultivated, which encourages a constant anxiety that "we are not Western enough", and which leads us to wrong decisions and actions. Although Western civilization has its roots in ancient Greece., its continuation for the liberated Greeks seems not to have been enough to convince Western friends, but primarily ourselves, that yes, we belong to the West, but having meanwhile crossed our own ByzantiumThis insecurity, which is difficult to analyze, is however at the basis of our subservience, as we try at every opportunity to prove the self-evident, namely that "we are Europeans". And in this struggle we leave behind us, trampling on them, our unique and exclusively our own roots, instead of proudly displaying them to the ends of the earth.
For this pitiful situation, in which our homeland has been for two centuries, there are, of course, very heavy and unforgivable responsibilitiesThis subjugation seems to be perpetuated, while every time it is in danger of being overthrown, by healthy popular reactions, as I am indicatively mentioning in the case of Prespa, as well as in that of the 2015 referendum, underground forces are being mobilized to silence them by any means, even the most ruthless. And always of course with the support of allies/friends/partners, who have replaced the former Great Powers.
And, precisely, here, in this constant dramatic fact, the catalytic, as we all hope, enters role of the Unified Cultural Doctrine, which, through its emphasis on traditions, is expected to inspire Greeks throughout the world, reconnecting them with strong national motives, to encourage them to face enemies and friends with their heads held high, as descendants of a unique culture, and to demand their rights, against friends and enemies. The Unified Cultural Doctrine, as we hope, will enshrine the Greek existence from one end of the Earth to the other, with the halo of its glorious past, which is highlighted through its traditions.
It goes without saying that a lot of work will be required, with productive imagination, faith in ultimate success, and fairly frequent meetings, which I believe should, from time to time, to be enriched by reflections, in the field of Greek and international politics and diplomacy.
Let me also argue that it is necessary to believe that the creation of this Unified Doctrine is the most important effort of our time to strengthen the relations of Greeks abroad, for the acquisition of national self-confidence, but also for the silent preparation of the union of Cyprus with Greece. But it is only the beginning, while the continuation and the final success depend on all of us.
May we finally realize who we are through the Unified Doctrine, Where do we come from, and what is our place in the world?
During the opening ceremony of the EPOD, His Beatitude Archbishop of Cyprus Mr. George and His Excellency the President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Nikos Christodoulides spoke with warm words. On the Greek side, Mr. Ambassador had other commitments and was replaced by the Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy.
I conclude by extending my warmest congratulations to the initiators of the Unified Cultural Doctrine, Xeni Xenophontos and associates, as well as my best wishes for a brilliant success of the Unified Cultural Doctrine, which is being born today and which Greece and Cyprus expect to ensure, in the long run, the desired union.
*An initiative by Mr. Xenis Xenophontos and his associates, which I hope will develop into something important
photo by GreekRadioFl
