Residents' reaction to the uprooting of a historic olive tree due to the widening of Sotiras Deryneia street.
The said road has a cost of €15.6 million including VAT.
It is recalled that the Project was signed in July 2022 and provides for the improvement of a road connecting the two Municipalities of 4 kilometers and the construction of connecting roads with a total length of 2,5 kilometers.
Residents of the area through posts have been fighting for a long time to deal with the cutting of a historic olive tree for the widening of the road in question.
Testimonies of fighters speak of mines that were placed in the olive tree during the liberation struggle of EOKA.
See the recorded testimonies of fighters as well as suggestions for dealing with the problem from the residents.
***By Katerina Constantinos Matsiou
During the EOKA liberation struggle (after October 1956), men from the Sotiras community of Famagusta had organized an ambush with mines which they placed on the trunk of an age-old olive tree, located near a crossroads next to a pomegranate orchard, in order to attack English soldiers who would pass through Sotira, in this case on their way to the city of Famagusta.
The fighters involved were: Antonis Adamou (Katsiaris) leader – deceased, Mr. Theofanis Paraskevas (team leader), Anastasis Ppantouras – deceased, Andreas Hadziaros – deceased, Georgios Dimitris Kourkounas – deceased and Adamos Ambalatos – deceased. Mr. Christofis Kaouras (Botsaris) was the manufacturer of the mines.
They dug and placed the electric mines next to the olive trunk and hid in an adjacent pomegranate orchard.
The orchard was the property of Simeon and Antonou Papacharalambous from Sotira.
They intended to detonate the mines by pulling the cable connected to a battery, at a distance of about 100 meters. While waiting for the English to pass, a mine exploded, without the desired result. They were forced to remove the other one so as not to endanger other people, residents who were passing by that point, either by bus, or by car, or with their animals to Varosi.
Theofanis Paraskevas together with Anastasis Ppantouras carried the mine, at the risk of their lives, to the lake of Paralimnion and hid it, where it exploded after a few days.
Characteristically, it should be mentioned that when Theofanis Paraskevas and Anastasis Ppantouras tried to dig up the other mine, they were both together. Everyone dug for a while, because the dirt road surface (havara) was very hard. But each of them, instead of standing further, and being careful, lest the mine explode and kill them both, remained next to each other. Despite instructions to each other to stay away while the other dug, they dug one after the other with their souls in their mouths.
Mrs. Elia, is a historical point... as characterized by Mr. Theofanis, since she escaped until now, let's not condemn her unfairly, let's protect her. "A respect even for the olive tree - a martyr in the struggle of the homeland. People are leaving... But we must show respect to those who shed their blood and were killed for the sake of the fight. We want a little respect, not applause, even for the olive-martyr. For the struggle and the homeland, witness the olive tree that was there before us and will be there after us."
There is a personal testimony (recorded) by Mr. Theofanis Paraskevas.
"The mentioned age-old olive tree is located in front of Famaghostou street and Bouboulina lane, in Sotira. Because of the historical importance, but also because of the life span of the tree, it is considered a big mistake to destroy this tree by widening the road. There are suggestions from local residents that it could be designated as protected or preserved by the competent state authoritiess. The road of Boubulina Street, from Famagusta Street to the chapel of Agios Mama, could be paved, the picturesqueness of this area would remain intact.
But who should take this responsibility? Is the cultural and historical value of the tree and this area more important than the asphalt?"
This road, which once led to Varosi. Once in 1974, in the dark days of the calamity, he protected from pain and fear, in those first days of the refugee, those who did not fit in our homes. The long-standing bark of its trunk, silently closes the history of this place in its heart. Don't fall victim to asphalt and concrete. Let it remain in its roots, to remind us of our culture.
May we be driven to the city again and you Elia be a Greek representative. Your branches and silver foliage are a blessing to the visitors of the beloved city of Varosios.
Let there be a solution to save the tree, to remain in its place. Not to be uprooted. After regret, however, it is found that it is easier to destroy our history and culture than to preserve them. All about asphalt and cement. With the excuse of development, to destroy our culture and history.
Attached you can see photos of Mrs. Elia, as described by Mr. Theofanis. I am also sending you a short video of the orchard with the pomegranates in the background.
The tree is the target of all services, to be uprooted (WITHIN A FEW DAYS) due to the widening of the Sotiras - Deryneia road. Already the fences have been demolished and all the remaining trees have been destroyed.
Many letters have been sent to many agencies to save him, from 2012 until now. Unfortunately, no one has responded positively. To remain in its place, to remind us of our culture.
OWNERS INTRODUCTION:
CONCESSION OF PART OF THE GARDEN TO BECOME A SIDEWALK SO PEDESTRIANS CAN BE SERVED AND THE TREE TO REMAIN WITH SOME MINOR CHANGES IN THE PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS PLANS. THE PURPOSE IS TO MAKE BOTH RESIDENTS AND VISITORS KNOW THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE OLIVE. HER OFFER TO THE STRUGGLE OF EOKA, 1955 – 59. TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO A REFERENCE POINT FOR EDUCATIONAL VISITS TO PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
The main straight road to the center of the Municipality of Sotiras is bypassed for the sake of some interests and they widen passages and destroy centuries-old trees and others in an orchard with pomegranates, by opening another road, the only one in the community.
A huge natural wealth is destroyed for the asphalt, instead of applauding the efforts and labor of the owners to keep this green lung in the Municipality of Sotiras.
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