"50 nautical miles for 50 years of occupation": Charity event and commemorative sea march

A series of events was successfully held on Sunday, 13 October at noon, at Ayia Napa Marina as part of the 4th Two-Day Charity Festival, "Saint Lazarus and his Little Friend Savvas", which takes place annually in the orchard of Saint Lazarus in Dromolaxia, with the participation of 150 organisations and establishments, under the message "Saint Lazarus is Celebrating, Love is Celebrating".

The event was held at the Marina in the presence of local bodies, officials and the public, with greetings addressed by the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Christos Zannettou, the CMO of Ayia Napa Marina, Costas Fitiris, which Priest Andreas preceded on behalf of the Metropolis.

The speakers emphasised the importance of preserving the Cypriot people's memory and unity while emphasising the event's cultural and philanthropic significance. In addition, they expressed their warm congratulations to Marilena Makri for her important contribution.

A highlight of the day was the sailing route of Marilena Makri, the 21-year-old Cypriot sailing champion who represented our country at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020 and Paris in 2024. Marilena sailed on 12 October from Agios Nikolaos in Pernera Beach and arrived at Ayia Napa Marina on the afternoon of the same day. On Sunday, October 13th, at 11:30, she started her journey from Ayia Napa Marina towards Larnaca, the home of the church of Saint Lazarus, covering a distance of 50 nautical miles that symbolises the 50 years since the Turkish invasion. Her emotional ride was the event’s cornerstone, drawing warm applause from the audience.

The event ended with a recital by the young artist Nefeli Antoniou, member of the Charisma Band. With a unique performance, Nefeli offered the perfect musical conclusion to an already gripping event.

The “Saint Lazarus and his Little Friend Savvas” festival is held annually on the occasion of the feast for the transfer of the relics of Righteous Lazarus of the Four Days, with all of the festival’s proceeds going to the Saint Lazarus Centre for People with Disabilities, which offers services to adults with mild and moderate intellectual disability, as well as other non-profit institutions that provide care, education and health services to our fellow citizens.

This year, the festival programme included commemorative actions for the 50 years of half of our homeland’s occupation after the barbaric Turkish invasion and the 60 years since the Turkish bombings in Tillyria.