An event dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the start of the EOKA National Liberation Struggle 1955-59 was held on Monday, November 10, 2025, in the event hall of the Paralimni - Deryneia Municipal Hall.
The event was co-organized by the Municipality of Paralimni - Deryneia and the Council for the Historical Memory of the EOKA Struggle 1955-59.
Greetings were delivered by the Mayor of Paralimni - Deryneia, Mr. George Nikolettos, the President of SIMAE, Mr. Andreas Maimaridis, and the Minister of Defense, Mr. Vassilis Palmas, under whose auspices the event was held.
The main speaker of the event was the EOKA activist and sub-sector commander of Famagusta during the EOKA struggle 1955-59, Mr. Demosthenis Katsouris. The speaker was introduced by the Assistant Commissioner of the Public Administration Organization and former Mayor of Paralimni, Mr. Andreas Evangelou.
In his greeting, the Mayor of Paralimni - Deryneia, Mr. George Nikolettos, stated that the EOKA Struggle was not simply an armed uprising, but the voice of a people demanding freedom, dignity and justice. It was, as he noted, the moment when the Hellenism of Cyprus proved that there are no small peoples when they have a great soul. The Mayor emphasized that the Municipality of Paralimni - Deryneia is a place deeply steeped in the history and sacrifices of Cypriot Hellenism, a place where pages of heroism and self-denial were written through the actions of its people.
Referring to Demosthenis Katsouris, Mr. Nikolettos stressed that he is a true witness of History, a man who honored his oath to EOKA with purity and humility, without ever asking for titles or rewards. He expressed his gratitude on behalf of all the citizens, pointing out that Mr. Katsouris is a living link between generations, proving that Freedom is not a gift but a duty, a responsibility and a way of life; a flame that we must keep unextinguished, especially in the souls of the young.
