The protocol of the First Phase of twinning between the Municipalities of Ayia Napa and Pogoni was signed (PHOTO)

In an atmosphere of emotion and national pride, it was signed at the Delvinaki Town Hall on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in the presence of local actors and the delegation of the Municipality of Ayia Napa, which consisted, in addition to the Mayor and his wife, of the Municipal Councilor Ms. Tasoula Tsokki Koumis, the Archpriest of the Holy Church of Panagia Agia Napa, Mr. Vasilios, the President of the "Aroma" Association of Agia Napa - Friends of the Sculpture Park, Mr. Christakis Pittas, the Doctorate at the University of Neapolis Pafos and former ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Greece, Mr. Georgios Georgis and the Cultural Officer of the Municipality Ms. Maria Tofini Tsantila, the protocol of the First Phase of Twinning between the Municipality of Agia Napa and the Municipality of Pogoni.

Two cities that have been linked by a common historical path since the 19th century since Hipparchus of the Palygenesian War, warlord Hatzimichalis Dalianis led the unique battle of Agia Napa on March 17, 1826 that took place on Cypriot soil during the Greek Revolution of 1821 A name inextricably linked to the struggle of the Nation, who sacrificed his life for freedom and managed to unite in a special way the place that gave birth to him, that is, Delvinaki Pogoniou with the unacritic Agia Napa of Cyprus.

During the ceremony, the Mayors of Pogoni and Ayia Napa addressed greetings. Konstantinos Kapsalis and Christos Zannettou, followed by a speech by the retired teacher Mr. Nikos Theodosiou and a video about the Battle of Agia Napa was shown. Then there was a memorial prayer and laying of wreaths at the Hatzimichalis Dalianis Monument and then the dance groups of the Pogoni and Agia Napa Municipalities danced Greek and Cypriot Traditional Dances in the Central Square of Delvinaki.

In his greeting, the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Christos Zannettou, referred to the path followed until the twinning, pointing out the fact that it is thanks to the initiative and efforts made by the President of the "Aroma" Association of Ayia Napa - Friends of the Sculpture Park, Mr. Christakis Pittas, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Agia Napa Sculpture Symposium, Mr. Kikis Constantinou, and the doctor at the University of Neapolis Paphos and former ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Greece, Mr. Georgios Georgis, who also brought to light and promoted the historical research of the distinguished Greek historian – researcher Vassilis Sfyroera which concerns the Unique Battle of Agia Napa on March 17, 1826.

According to dr. George Giorgis added that in 1826 the landing of the Greek Revolutionaries in Cyprus was not accidental, but part of a larger plan, a plan which included the landing of the Greek fleet in Beirut to investigate the case of securing aid, while in Cyprus in addition to supplying provisions, their plan included organizing an attack to capture Famagusta and with the city as a base to liberate all of Cyprus.

He also referred to the events that take place during the anniversary celebrations of March 25 and which the Municipality has now established as a recognition and promotion of this great event as, as he noted, apart from highlighting the importance of the previously unknown battle, they make it a point reference for all Cypriot Hellenism, whose ancestors did not refuse to help and even shed their blood in every national struggle of the Greeks. "Undoubtedly, the recognition of our nation's leading historical events preserves our history, our roots, our identity."

For the Municipality of Ayia Napa, added Mr. Zannettos, this twinning is the minimum tribute to the Captain of the Match Hatzimichalis Dalianis and with this act "we officially baptize the fraternal ties that unite us, the ties that our national hero bequeathed to us.

Through this Twinning Agreement of the two Municipalities, Pogoni and Agia Napa, he continued, which marks the beginning of the life and the heroically revolutionary course of Hatzimichalis Dalianis, "we can form a common framework of actions that will give new dynamics to our goals and we will be given the opportunity to know more about each other's local customs, traditions and traditions, find commonalities, create further strong ties that will give us the opportunity to exchange visits between our two cities, organize actions and promote the rich cultural traditions of both Cyprus and Epirus".

The signing of the relevant protocol will follow in Ayia Napa, while soon the two municipalities will announce their first joint actions.

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