Honouring Heroism Through Verse: PASCAL Secondary School Lemesos Pupils Shine in Pancyprian Poetry Competition

With great pride and emotion, we announce the recognition of two of our pupils in the 2024–2025 Pancyprian Student Competition organised by the "Grigoris Afxentiou" Study Centre. This year’s theme, “Grigoris Afxentiou lives on in the collective memory of Cypriot Hellenism and continues to inspire future generations”, stirred the hearts and pens of our young writers, who paid tribute to the legendary EOKA Deputy Leader through poetry, memory and honour.

Miltiadis Schoinis Panayiotou (6A) was awarded First Prize in the Poetry category for his deeply moving piece titled “The Last Farewell”. Written in the imagined voice of the hero himself, the poem becomes a powerful ode to sacrifice, echoing with conviction, dignity and hope.

The Last Farewell | Το Ύστατο Χαίρε

Greek (original)	English (translation)
Πολεμώ και στο ντουφέκι μου	I fight, and in my rifle
το μπαρούτι μυρίζει ελευθερία.	the gunpowder smells of freedom.
[...]	[...]
Συγχώρα με τώρα	Forgive me now
πλησιάζει η φωτιά	the fire draws near
Ψηλά η ζωή!	Life held high!
Σε χαιρετώ με την ιαχή της Ελευθερίας…	I salute you with the cry of Freedom…
Ο γιος σου, Γρηγόρης Αυξεντίου	Your son, Grigoris Afxentiou

Through this poignant monologue, Miltiadis brings Grigoris Afxentiou to life in his final moments, offering readers a farewell filled with bravery, emotion and spiritual triumph.

Anna Pittali (6B) received a Commendation for her poem “Eternal Journey”, a lyrical and heartfelt tribute to the immortal legacy of the hero. Her verses build a bridge between past and present, inviting the reader to feel the presence of Afxentiou as an eternal guiding light.

Eternal Journey | Αιώνιο Ταξίδι

Μα σαν έρχεται το βράδυ επιστρέφεις σε ό,τι έχεις αγαπήσει,	But when evening falls, you return to all that you’ve loved,
στα γνώριμα μέρη, στον Μαχαιρά, στη Λύση.	to familiar places, to Machairas, to Lysi.
[...]	[...]
Να μην ανησυχείς, Αθάνατε Ήρωα Γρηγόρη,	Do not worry, Immortal Hero Grigoris,
η θυσία σου ποτέ δεν θα λησμονηθεί,	your sacrifice will never be forgotten,
το φωτεινό παράδειγμά σου αιώνια θα ζει	your shining example will live on forever
και σαν φάρος φωτεινός θα μας οδηγεί.	and will guide us like a radiant beacon.

At a time when silence threatens to obscure the voice of history, our pupils turn it into poetry. Every word becomes a promise that the sacrifice of Grigoris Afxentiou will not be forgotten, and that his flame still burns brightly in the hearts of the new generation.

Warm congratulations to Miltiadis and Anna for their character, talent and sensitivity. Special thanks are extended to Ms Andria Ioannou, Greek teacher and Head of the Department of Modern Greek and Classical Studies, whose passionate guidance continues to inspire her pupils to explore language and literature while nurturing their historical awareness, emotional depth and love for their homeland.

For when our youth learn and write about our heroes, History does not fade; it is reborn.