2023: Foundation stone laid for Cultural Village in Lempa
The first Cultural Village to be created in Cyprus, centred around the Stass Paraskos College of Art in the village of Lempa, Paphos, is launched. The foundation stone was laid by President Nicos Anastasiades on January 20, 2023.
Deaths
1989: Sir John Harding, Governor of Cyprus
1979: Pantelis Michanikos, Poet
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Other Events
2020: Human-to-human transmission of COVID-19 confirmed
On this day in 2020, a Chinese epidemiologist confirmed that the COVID-19 virus is transmitted from person to person. Cases were identified in nearly half of China’s provinces and major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.
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1995: Miltiades Chacholiades, First Rector of the University of Cyprus
Miltiades Chacholiades was appointed Rector of the University of Cyprus, serving in that role until 1998.
1991: ‘Empros’ Newspaper stops publishing
The daily newspaper Empros, the voice of the political group that split from AKEL and founded the Renewal Democratic Socialist Movement (ADISOK), suspended publication, after 274 editions.
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1984: Cyprus Problem
Kyprianou–Denktaş talks collapse
The meeting between Cyprus President Spyros Kyprianou and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktaş ended in a complete breakdown of talks.
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1977: Jimmy Carter submits Cyprus settlement plan
The Carter administration submitted the American-British-Canadian plan for a settlement of the Cyprus issue. The framework plan was handed to UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim and later presented to Cypriot Foreign Minister Nicos Rolandis and Rauf Denktaş in New York on November 10, 1978.
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1961: Cyprus Army established amid intense debate
The Cyprus Army, a joint force composed of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, was established under the Zurich-London Agreements and operated until December 1963. Following the Turkish Cypriot uprising and withdrawal, the army was dissolved. The law establishing the Cyprus Army was passed on January 20, 1961, during an all-night parliamentary session marked by intense debate.
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1956: Nicosia Municipal Theatre construction approved
The decision to build the Nicosia Municipal Theatre was taken on January 20, 1956, during the mayoralty of Themistoklis Dervis. Construction began two years later. The neoclassical building was designed by Greek set designer Giorgos Hatzidakis, with civil engineer Marios Santamas.
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1955: Grigoris Afxentiou’s first meeting with Grivas
Afxentiou learned about the planned struggle from his cousin Grigoris Grigora, was initiated into the organisation by Andreas Azinas in January 1955, and had his first meeting with Grivas on this day in 1955.
1952: GSP crowned champions in 2nd Pancyprian Basketball Championship
The second Pancyprian basketball championship took place, with GSP winning the title again, having also claimed the first championship two years earlier.
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1950: Socrates Loizidis exiled by the British
Socrates Loizidis was exiled from Cyprus, as the British authorities considered him dangerous.
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1941 – Earthquake (6.5 Richter) severely affects Famagusta district
A powerful local earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale was felt across the Eastern Mediterranean. It caused significant damage in the Famagusta district, including injuries, animal deaths, and building collapses in Paralimni and Famagusta, as well as damage in Nicosia and Larnaca. It also triggered a small tsunami that struck the coast of Israel.
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1915: Edward Grey proposes ceding Cyprus to Greece
British Foreign Secretary Edward Grey proposed that Greece accept Cyprus, along with part of the Asia Minor coast facing the Aegean Sea, in exchange for entering the war. The proposal was discussed by the British Cabinet on this day in 1915, where it met opposition from War Secretary Lord Kitchener.
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