Another effort to prevent the closure of Melkonian.

Cyprus Mail has another article about the Melkonian School closure in Cyprus. I had posted an earlier update about the AGBU being granted the right to sell the property of the school.



The Armenian community has not seized its fight to keep the school open. I believe that there is a case for the European Court. Let us see how the events proceed.



I have sent emails to the government representatives bringing the issue to their attention. I urge my fellow Armenians to contact these officials as well to put pressure on them. Here is the text of the email for Cypriot Armenians:



Dear Mr. [name] ,



I am writing this letter to urge you to take action towards the preservation of the Melkonian School in Lefkosia. You may know that Melkonian School was founded to accommodate the scholarly needs of the children orphaned by the Genocide of the Armenian nation in 1915. Since then the school has grown into a renowned institution worldwide. It has had thousands of graduates from Cyprus, and all over the world.



The Cypriot graduates of Melkonian have had a tremendous input in developing Cyprus into a strong and vibrant country. I am sure you know some of them.



The international students of Melkonian have returned to their countries with utmost respect for the Cypriot society and have, and continue to spread the word about Cyprus. This is an important avenue to foster and maintain the Cypriot goodwill around the world. These graduates have become influential in their respective societies and continue to advocate for the just resolution of the problems facing Cyprus such as the illegal occupation of the North.



Unfortunately, Cyprus is facing the prospect of losing this important pipeline of influence abroad. The current trustees of Melkonian have shut down the school. To me, and fellow Cypriots that I have communicated my fears to, this is not acceptable.



We have to seize this opportunity and show to the worldwide Armenian community that we, the Cypriots, value our heritage, and understand the long-term consequences of losing Melkonian.



As a Cypriot I urge you to take a firm stand and fight to keep Melkonian in Cyprus. It is far too important of an institution to lose.



Sincerely;



Here is the text if you are not a Cypriot citizen. Your opinion is important as well. It is probably more important than a Cypriot's letter.



Dear Mr. [name],



I am writing this letter to urge you to take action towards the preservation of the Melkonian School in Lefkosia. You may know that Melkonian School was founded to accommodate the scholarly needs of the children orphaned by the Genocide of the Armenian nation in 1915. Since then the school has grown into a renowned institution worldwide. It has had thousands of graduates from Cyprus, and all over the world.



The Cypriot graduates of Melkonian have had a tremendous input in developing Cyprus into a strong and vibrant country. I am sure you know some of them.



The international students of Melkonian have returned to their countries with utmost respect for the Cypriot society and have, and continue to spread the word about Cyprus. This is an important avenue to foster and maintain the Cypriot goodwill around the world. These graduates have become influential in their respective societies and continue to advocate for the just resolution of the problems facing Cyprus such as the illegal occupation of the North.



Unfortunately, Cyprus is facing the prospect of losing this important pipeline of influence abroad. The current trustees of Melkonian have shut down the school. To me, and others concerned about Cyprus that I have communicated my fears to, this is not acceptable.



We have to seize this opportunity and show to the world community that the Cypriots value their heritage, and understand the long-term consequences of losing Melkonian.



As an Armenian friend of Cyprus, I urge you to take a firm stand and fight to keep Melkonian in Cyprus. It is far too important of an institution to lose.



Sincerely;



Here are the addresses that the letters can be sent:



The President of Cyprus: president@presidency.gov.cy


The Foreign Minister Lillikas: minforeign1@mfa.gov.cy


The Minister of Education Georgiades: pgeorgiades@moec.gov.cy


The Attorney General of Cyprus: roc-law@cytanet.com.cy