🔊Five Cypriot villages named Prastio unite to preserve cultural heritage On Sunday 22 March, a meeting of five villages sharing the name Prastio took place in Prastio Avdimou: Prastio Avdimou, Prastio Kelakiou, Prastio Kelokedaron, Prastio Famagusta and Prastio Morphou. A memorandum of cooperation was signed at the event, aimed at preserving cultural heritage and promoting joint development. The meeting was given particular significance by the presence of 12 Turkish Cypriots — originally from Prastio Kelokedaron and Prastio Avdimou. They conveyed a message of hope for a better future for their shared homeland. Four of the five villages were severely affected by the tragic events of 1963–1974. Greek Cypriots from Prastio Famagusta and Prastio Morphou became refugees in 1974. In 1964, Turkish Cypriots from Prastio Kelokedaron and from Prastio Avdimou, which was then mixed, were forced to leave their homes. Director General of the Ministry of Interior Ellikos Ilias, who was the keynote speaker, described the name "Prastio" as a living link uniting people, traditions and values. He called the participation of communities from occupied Prastio Famagusta and Prastio Morphou — now waiting 52 years for the return of their residents — particularly moving. More than 350 people attended the event. The programme concluded with Cypriot dancing. ➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿ 🤩FOLLOW CYPRUS NEWS 🇨🇾🇬🇧 👉CYPRUS NEWS IN RUSSIA 🇷🇺