In his speech, Russian Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus Murat Zyazikov recalled that Cypriots welcomed the world’s first cosmonaut with jubilation during his first visit to the island nation.
Monument to Yuri Gagarin in Nicosia Photo: Alexander Gasyuk/RG
“In February 1962, Yuri Gagarin, as part of the famous “Peace Mission”, visited Cyprus at the invitation of the Soviet Cypriot Friendship Society. In two days he visited all the cities , met with the head of state, Archbishop Makarios . The Soviet cosmonaut was greeted everywhere with jubilation. of all Cypriots. Yuri Alekseevich was sure that he was among the brothers of a friendly country, – said the head of the Russian diplomatic mission at the ceremony – Gagarin then said: “I will be very happy if my visit to Cyprus will contribute to strengthening the Cypriot-Soviet friendship “Times change, countries change, authorities change, many events are re-evaluated, but Yuri Gagarin’s name stays with us forever. We are proud of And we are proud that he was a friend of the Cypriot people. We appreciate that he keeps the memory of him in Cyprus alive” .
Indeed, today in all major cities of the island republic – Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Ayia Napa, there are streets named after Yuri Gagarin. And in 2011, as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first manned flight into space, a bust of the first astronaut was installed in the municipal park of the Cypriot capital.
Speaking at today’s event, Chairman of the Russian-Cypriot Friendship Society Haris Trassu recalled that Gagarin’s visit in February 1962 is remembered in Cyprus. “The significance and sincerity of this meeting can only be compared to the return from exile in Cyprus of Archbishop Makarios,” Trassou said, noting Gagarin’s speech from the balcony of the Rialto Theater in Limassol in front of audiences. thousands of Cypriots. Then the Soviet cosmonaut received silver keys to Limassol and was made an honorary citizen of this Mediterranean city.
The fact that Gagarin’s name continues to arouse deep respect among the inhabitants of the island was confirmed by the director of the planetarium and observatory “Kition” in the city of Larnaca, Yorgos Trulyas.
“I am very proud to be here, next to him. Next to the legend. In our planetarium, we always talk about Yuri Gagarin and his flight on the Vostok spacecraft around the Earth. “to be the first. He was a very brave man. For us, he was, remains and always will be a hero, a hero who inspires us to new achievements,” said Mr. Trullas and also laid a wreath at the monument at the space pioneer.
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