Cyprus is a
bi-national community of Greeks and Turks, where Greeks are
the majority and the ruling government. When Cyprus was
declared independent from Great Britian in 1960, other
national symbols such as the flag were enshrined in the new
nation's constitution, but there was no mention of an
anthem. Much debates ensued, and neither community could
agree on a national anthem; during foreign state visits,
different instrumental marches were used. In the early
1970s, it was decided that the Greek anthem would be used by
Cyprus as well. (The Turkish community does not recognize
this and instead uses the Turkish anthem for their
self-proclaimed nation.)
In 2004, as a requirement of joining the European Union, a
peace plan was proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan,
which included different national symbols, to make them more
inclusive of both communities. This also included a wordless
anthem that was agreed to by both Turkish and Greek members
of the national symbols committee. However, the plan was
rejected by the voters and "Ode to Freedom" remains the
Cypriot national anthem. Stay tuned for further
developments.
Segnorees apo tin kopsi too spathyoo tin tromeri;
Segnorees apo tin opsi poo me vya metra tin yee.
Ap ta kokkala vyalmenee ton elleenon ta ye ra
Ke san prawt' anthreeomenee hyer'o hyeri eleftherya.
Ke san prawt' anthreeomenee hyer'o hye r'eleftherya,
Ke san prawt' anthreeomenee hyer'o hye r'eleftherya.
English:
I shall always recognise you
By the dreadful sword you hold,
As the earth, with searching vision,
You survey, with spirit bold.
'Twas the Greeks of old whose dying
Brought to birth our spirit free.
Now, with ancient valour rising,
Let us hail you, Oh Liberty!
Now, with ancient valour rising,
Let us hail you, Liberty,
Now, with ancient valour rising,
Let us hail you, Liberty!
