Lena Meladiou and Özker Özgür were honoured with Democracy Awards at the Networking Event of the Cyprus Forum last night.
They were honoured with this award with votes among other candidates who have all dedicated their lives to the advancement of democracy and peace in Cyprus.
The award ceremony was launched as an initiative to posthumously recognise individuals who have made significant contributions, and to celebrate and preserve their legacies.
The 8 candidates who were enlisted for this award, and their contributions:
Lellos Demetriades served as Mayor of Nicosia for 30 years. In the early 1980s, Demetriades collaborated with Akinci through a series of informal agreements to upgrade the city’s sewerage system, marking the first step toward Nicosia’s reunification. Demetriades envisioned a unified Nicosia and a reunified Cyprus.
Tuncer Bağışkan was a researcher, writer, and archaeologist. He conducted archaeological surveys and excavations across Cyprus and started folklore research with the Folk Arts Association in 1987. In 2011 and 2019, Bağışkan directed officials from the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus to possible burial sites, leading to the discovery of remains of Greek Cypriots.
Lena Melanidou co-founded and conducted the Choir for Peace in Cyprus, uniting Greek and Turkish Cypriots since 1997 to promote reconciliation and a peaceful solution to the political conflict. As a peace ambassador, she represented the Cyprus issue to foreign negotiators and politicians. She made sure the songs were performed equally in both languages and pushed for the speeches to be translated into Turkish.
Özker Özgür was an educator, politician, and influential leader in the peace struggle in Cyprus, dedicating his life to community unity, peace, and a federal solution. He chose the surname “Özgür,” which means “free”, symbolising his commitment to freedom. His efforts focused on democracy, political equality, and the human rights of every Cypriot.
Stella Soulioti was a trailblazer and a highly influential figure in Cypriot political life. She held numerous key roles in service to Cyprus. In 1976, she became the first woman to join the Greek Cypriot negotiation team during the bi-communal talks.
Türkan Aziz, was a pioneering figure in Cypriot healthcare, serving as the first director of midwives and nursing staff and becoming the first Turkish Cypriot head nurse at Nicosia General Hospital after the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960. Her contributions extended beyond this role, as she achieved significant successes in combating malaria during the British period, leaving a lasting impact on public health.
Xenofon Kallis, who led the missing persons service at the foreign ministry for many years, dedicated his life to uncovering the fate of those missing from the 1955-59, 1963-64, and 1974 conflicts. He worked tirelessly alongside families, earning the respect of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. His commitment to locating and exhuming the remains of victims was unparalleled.
Vedia Barut, a prominent figure in the Turkish Cypriot community, was not only a businesswoman but also endeared herself to the public through her involvement in culture, arts, and theatre. Known for her warm relationships with people, she also worked as a newspaper trader in Nicosia for nearly 60 years, facilitating communication between the north and south of Cyprus by exchanging newspapers even when the border gates were closed.
Source: https://voicecyprusnews.com/lena-meladiou-and-ozker-ozgur-were-honoured-for-their-contributions-to-peace-and-democracy/
