Australian duo finish ‘Unite Cyprus’ trek
AUSTRALIAN Cypriot duo Yalçın Adal and Stavros Protz have finished their 16day trek of the island for a “united Cyprus”.
An international film crew followed their journey, which began on March 21 from the eastern tip of the island at Apostolos Andreas in Karpaz, and ended at Aphrodite’s Rock in Paphos.
Last Friday afternoon the pair headed to the Ledra Palace buffer zone where they were greeted by a welcome party at the Home For Cooperation. They danced with supporters to live music before being joined by Australian High Commissioner to Cyprus Alan Sweetman in planting a myrtle tree to “heal our beloved island of Cyprus”.
Later in the evening they were welcomed by members of Unite Cyprus Now at the Lokmacı border crossing, where they gave speeches.
The following day they continued westward to Palaiometocho, before heading to Pano Amiantos in Limassol on Monday.
Before setting out on their last 30km journey, from Salamiou village in the Paphos area on Thursday, the pair shared a video calling on supporters to look out for their upcoming documentary, in which they aim to share Cypriot culture, the legend of the “101st window of the Queen of Cyprus” at St Hilarion Castle, and raise awareness about a Cyprus “with no division”.
“It got hard . . . in the end. We were tested emotionally and physically,” said Mr Adal.
They have so far raised $6,828 of their $12,000 target for the whole effort and those wanting to support the documentary can make a donation via their “Journey into Cyprus Documentary — East to West” page on the crowd-funding website www.chuffed.org.