The President of the Republic visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum

The President of the Republic, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, visited on 11 May 2023 the Holocaust Museum Yad Vashem, where he attended a special ceremony in memory of the Holocaust victims.

In a highly emotionally charged atmosphere, during a ceremony in memory and honour of the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, the President of the Republic lit the flame of Remembrance and laid a wreath.  

Following a guided tour through the Museum, the President of the Republic offered to the Yad Vashem archival material consisting of documents and photographs originating from the Cyprus State Archives and the Press and Information Office (PIO) respectively, in relation to the Jews, who came to Cyprus on their way to Israel between 1945-’49.

In his brief address, the President of the Republic said, inter alia, that “I am here to honour and commemorate the people who perished. Their memory lives on forever”.

The President of the Republic said that Cyprus and Israel share a unique historic bond: 53 thousand Jews have passed through the “Karaolos” area, north of Famagusta, Dhekelia and Xylotymbou.  

The contribution of Prodromos Papavasiliou, in particular, has been acknowledged by the State of Israel as he has been decorated for the assistance he provided to the Jews, the President said.

Referring to the material offered by the PIO archives, the President of the Republic said that these are documents and photographs recording and depicting the experiences of thousands of Jews who found themselves in Cyprus.

The President of the Republic said that the Yad Vashem is working closely with the PIO, noting that he looks forward to a closer cooperation between the Cyprus State Archives and the Yad Vashem.

The President of the Republic also stressed that he was devastated at the sight of some photographs of Jewish children, women and men who, despite their suffering, were smiling and looking to the future with optimism and hope.

Concluding, President Christodoulides signed the Museum’s Visitors Book, in which he wrote:

«Once again I am devastated by the millions of faces, victims of the worst crime against humanity.

I unite my voice along with the voices of people from all over the world. It is our duty to remember. It is our duty to fight against antisemitism as well as against every form of hatred and discrimination.

We remember. Never again!».

(EP)

 

 

 

 

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