"Cyprus 1974" Wood Engraving, Refugee Fund, Republic of Cyprus

"Cyprus 1974" Wood Engraving, Refugee Fund, Republic of Cyprus

Postage stamps--Cyprus--History

Γραμματόσημα--Κύπρος--Ιστορία

George Seferiades (1900-1971) who was better known as George Seferis was the most distinguished Greek poet of the 1930 s. A poet and a diplomat he wrote lyrical poetry and the Mythistorema in 1953. He served as Greece’s ambassador to Lebanon (1953-57) and the U.K. (1957-62). In 1963 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. In 1953 he wrote the poem "Salamina tis Kyprou", (Salamis of Cyprus) recalling the tragedies of long, long ago, and the words of which still apply to tragedies from the recent past. The following is a translation:
Lord, help us to remember
How this carnage came about
The rape, the deceit, the selfishness
The dying of love Lord, help us to uproot them.
Lying as we are on these pebbles
It’s better now to forget
Better not to speak
For who can change the opinion of the mighty.
Separately each of us has his dreams
Incapable of lending an ear
To the agony of others.
But, yes the messenger cometh
No matter how long the road
He brings to those who tried to chain Hellespont
The incredible message Of Salamis
The Lord’s voice calling over the waves
There, is an island.
(translated by B. Mihranian)

Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus

Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus

Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Library of Cyprus University of Technology

Digital Heritage Research Lab of Cyprus University of Technology

15th February 1993

Designer: A. Ladommatos

Απαγορεύεται η δημοσίευση ή αναπαραγωγή, ηλεκτρονική ή άλλη χωρίς τη γραπτή συγκατάθεση του δημιουργού.

www.cypruspost.gov.cy

TIFF

EL, EN

Image

1993-REFUGEE-1C

35.160417, 33.346556

Alex Matsoukis, Athens