Freedom walk
AN AUSTRALIAN Cypriot duo have invited everyone to join them on a walk from Apostolos Andreas to Aphrodite’s Rock to show faith in humanity, cultural diversity and a free and united island.
The 16-day island trek by Yalçın Adal and Stavros Protz next month has already raised more than half of their A$12,000 target on the crowdfunding website www.chuffed.org and will be documented by an international film crew.
Mr Adal said: “I was inspired by Colin Thubron’s account of a 600-mile trek around Cyprus in the last year of peace, 1972. He included myths of the Houses of Regina and called it ‘the island’s halcyon time’.”
They referred to a legend that he who looks through the “101st window of the Queen of Cyprus” at St Hilarion Castle will see paradise and may ask for their heart’s desire. The Cypriot duo, both of whom were taken to Australia as children by their families just before and after the island’s 1974 conflict, will jointly wish “that one day the people of this island, regardless of age, colour, ethnicity, gender or religion will be able to live freely”.
Supporters may share their own heart’s desire with the team by sponsoring them to “Carry A Wish” which will also be shouted from the ancient window.
Mr Adal added: “I am hopeful that the best days of Cyprus are still ahead and invited my friend Stavros to join me to recreate our own journey taking in the castles and temples of the island.”
His parents, Halil and Yüksel Adal, have volunteered to be their support team.
Mr Protz said it had also been his dream to walk for peace, inspired by his love of nature and his island, “daunted by over half a century of a senseless conflict”, adding: “I couldn’t think of anyone who might be up for it until Yalçın called. It was a real moment of synchronicity.
“To us our friendship is simple. There is no divide.”
The two friends are currently promoting their trip in towns across Australia and will begin their shared journey on Wednesday, March 21 at Apostolos Andreas Monastery, on the first 28.1km leg to Dipkarpaz. Anyone may walk with them by donating A$50 for the first day’s walk. The “price” of participating in each subsequent day increases by A$50 per day up to A$800 to walk the final leg.
Day Two will see the pair complete a 26km stretch from Dipkarpaz to Avtepe, followed by an 18.1km walk to Balalan on Day Three and another 27.4km on Saturday, March 24 to Kantara.
Sunday, March 25 sees them trek 26.8km to Tatlısu, before a further 29.6km to Görneç on Day Six, 22.2km to Buffavento, 23.3km to St Hilarion and the final North Cyprus stretch — 23.3km to Lefkoşa — on Thursday, March 29 for a rest day in the capital.
The team cross the border on Day 11, March 31, to walk from the capital to Palaiometocho with another five days pounding the trail, taking in Flasou, Pano Amiantos, Platres and Salamiou, on their way to the western edge and a final day’s 33km trek to Aphrodite’s Rock on April 5.
Crowdfunding donations may be made online via the link www. chuffed.org/project/journe y-into-cyprus and they may be followed via their social media page Journey into Cyprus — East to West.