THE CONCERT IN CYPROS AT 19/5/1997
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The singer Sakis Rouvas is a very handsome young man, who wears
leather pants and funky shirts, he dances and with his "show" drives
15 - 16 year old girlies wild. Stupid, like some people think he is,
he most definitely is not. If he was he wouldn't have hired a smart
manager and he wouldn't have made the right career moves (clubs,
concerts, albums), he wouldn't have chosen songs that suit him and he
wouldn't have earned the money he does.

Sakis Rouvas along with a Turk "youth singer" named Bourat Kout,
participated in a concert that was organised yesterday (19/5/97) by
the U.N. in the Green Line in Cypros. The concert that took place
with the blessing of the Cypriot Goverment was not a success. The
tickets weren't sold as the organisers expected.

On the contrary the anti - concert as was reported by the greek
newspaper "TA NEA" yesterday turned into a massive rally of protest
with 5.000 - 6.000 participants. Of course this wasn't uneventfull.
Stones were thrown, affrays with the police, fires broke out, tear -
gas was used, etc. There were injured people and naturally arrests.
On the whole it was a peaceful protest (yeah, right!). The purpose of
this was the reconsiliation of the Greek Cypriots with the Turk
Cypriots.

I'll say my opinion from the beggining. Firstly the concert shouldn't
take place on the 19th of May. That is a day for remembering and
grieving for all Greeks. That is the day of the genocide of the
Greeks of the Black Sea by the Turks. Secondly, it shouldn't have
taken place on the Green Line, that land is covered with blood and it
is disrespectful and tactless to sing and dance over it. These things
should have been taken into account, not by the U.N. that has no such
interest and history, but by the Cypriot goverment. And of course
Sakis being Greek should have thought of these things too.

But beyond that the concert was something that should have happened.
At another time and place, I repeat but it should happen
nevertheless. I hope that there are a lot of happenings like that
organised in the future. I wish the young to sing and dance and fall
in love and be friends. Denctas is the one who wants the Turks of
Cypros confined. Denctas is the one who profits from this hate and
isolation. If the Turks of Cypros are allowed to see the other side
of the island, the Greek side, where life is sunny and cheerful and
wealthy and not miserable, the Greeks of Cypros will profit a great
deal. And that is something Denctas doesn't want. On the contrary
that is what the Greek goverment of Cypros is after.

Newspaper, "TA NEA" 21/5/1997