The Global Overseas Cypriot Youth Organization or NEPOMAK (Νεολαία Παγκόσμια Ομοσπονδία Αποδήμων Κυπρίων) recently held two of its programs in July and August.
The youth organization which brings together Cypriots from Australia, New Zealand and around the world has enjoyed two successful trips to Cyprus under the NEPOMAK Discover Cyprus Program (NDCP) and the NEPOMAK Cyprus Culture Tour (NCCT).
The three-week NDCP trip for 18-22 year olds offered a crash course in Cypriot culture, history and heritage – from language classes at the University of Cyprus to visiting historic sites and night life. This year, 10 young Cypriots from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, Brisbane and Wellington, New Zealand participated.
Two of the young Cypriot Australians who participated in the NDCP were Kira Stephanos from Brisbane and Raphael Andrews from Melbourne.
Kira says Cyprus became a “home away from home” and brought her closer to her heritage and culture, but what stood out the most was the connections with new “friends for life”.
“The greatest impact of the NDCP comes from the incredible people I met on the trip,” she said in a statement provided to Neos Cosmos from NEPOMAK.
“In three weeks, I bonded with my fellow Cypriots in the diaspora, and I felt like I had known them my whole life.
“Our shared history and heritage quickly transformed strangers into lifelong friends. »
Raphael also says he made “friends, even family” with his diaspora during his time in Cyprus, particularly getting to know each other on bus rides – where he says they built a solidarity despite the vagaries of language – sharing that “South Africans think of traffic lights as “robots” and roundabouts as “circles”.
His strengths were the little things.
“Wake up at sunrise and walk to Zorbas for coffee before class, chat late at night in the kitchen over a game of tavli, or compete in a highly competitive Mario Kart tournament,” he said. he declares.
“But above all, enjoying παττίχα (watermelon) with haloumi, as my grandparents once described it.
“Other highlights would be the breathtaking beaches, churches and monasteries. The view from Troodos is like no other and walking the streets of Pano Lefkara on ancient stones truly transports you back in time. The picturesque villages nestled in the Troodos Mountains offer a glimpse of a simpler, more peaceful way of life.
The NCCT is aimed at 23-30 year olds and allowed participants to discover their heritage and culture by visiting historical, archaeological and natural places as well as numerous cultural and culinary hotspots. 21 people attended from Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Wollongong, Canberra, Brisbane, as well as New Zealand, America, Canada, the United Kingdom and South Africa.
Participants also attended the Global Cypriot Diaspora Conference, which included an invitation to the House of Representatives by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, to the opening ceremony at the Presidential Palace hosted by the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, and participated in interactive sessions related to issues of interest to the diaspora, as well as the Cyprus problem and other issues of interest.
Marie Trikkis from Wollongong and William Panayi from Canberra both participated in the NCCT program.
They too say they made lifelong friends in Cyprus, but both spoke about their experience in Cyprus and establishing a connection with their ancestral home that they never thought possible or done differently.
“My father always spoke to me about his connection with Cyprus. A connection I never thought I would have. I didn’t know the language or much of the history, so I never thought about going,” Marie said in the provided statement.
“The experiences and knowledge I gained in these 10 days are far more than any book could have taught me.
“It was more than I could have hoped for and left me with such an appreciation and new connection to Cypriot culture and history.”
She particularly enjoyed their trip to Omodos, exploring the village and observing lace being made by hand.
William really visited the historical and archaeological sites and churches/monasteries of Cyprus, which included “sites like the Tombs of the Kings, the Temple of Dionysus as well as visiting castles and amphitheaters like that of Kourion.”
He describes the Global Cypriot Diaspora Conference as an “eye-opener” that highlighted the “challenges and opportunities facing the country”.
“I will forever cherish the memories of this incredible trip… Cyprus will always hold a special place in my heart.”
For those who wish to attend next year, you visit NEPOMAK website and sign up to become a member.
