Fraternization of Agios Ioannis (Saint John) of Pitsilia in the Limassol District with Agios Ioannis Kamenos in the Agios Vassilios District in Rethymnis Nomarchy.

Fraternization was proposed by Agios Ioannis Kamenos community of Crete in 1995 and was immediately accepted by Agios Ioannis of Pitsilia. Everything was arranged over the telephone. Mr. Michalis Tsarkatzis, president of the community and Mr. Emmanouil Saridakis, president of the “Salvaras” cultural association made everything possible.

The aforementioned representatives were driven by social and national reasons to help the fraternization of the two villages and verify the blood relation and the national identity that connect Greek-Cypriots with the Greeks in Crete. The fraternization memorandum will serve as an honour emblem that symbolizes the fight of both communities for peace in
Cyprus.

In July 1996 a committee of 13 people and the president of the community, went to Agios Ioannis in Crete. On the 27th of July, a day dedicated to Saint Panteleimon who is honoured in Agios Ioannis of Crete, the first part of the fraternization was completed with these goals:

  1. Meeting of the inhabitants of both communities and cultivation of respect, friendship and cooperation between them.
  2. Exchange of knowledge and information regarding agriculture, farming, tourism, local self-administration, cultural decentralization and other relevant sectors.
  3. Mutual enlightenment regarding the historical and cultural tradition of the two communities and exchange of relevant information.
  4. Scheduling and realizing of common programs regarding culture or production sectors.
  5. Visiting both communities every two years and organizing a day of events in on e of the communities.
  6. Reinforcement of the Cypriot fight for freedom and peace with protests, resolution of protests, enlightenment in Crete regarding the Cypriot problem, and other demonstrations.

It is noteworthy that the committee was warmly welcomed in Crete both at the Heraclion Airport as well as in Agios Ioannis. They enjoyed Cretan hospitality.
The effort for bringing the inhabitants of both communities closer to one another resulted to the beginning of friendships. A committee from Agios Ioannis of Crete with the nomarch Mr. Manolis Litinas visited Cyprus on the 14th of August in 1997 and the second part of the fraternization was continued on the 17 of August in Agios Ioannis of Pitsilia.

The connection between these two communities is constantly developing and more visits to both communities take place.

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