Petrakis Giallouros

He was born in the village of Rizokarpaso¹, in the province of Famagusta, on August 29, 1938.

He was killed on February 7, 1956 in Famagusta² by the British, during a militant demonstration he led.

Petrakis Giallouros attended the Primary School of Rizokarpaso, and when he was killed, he was a graduate of the Greek High School of Famagusta³.

Tall, slim, with curly hair and blue eyes and always first in his classes, Petrakis was the standard-bearer at his school’s events.

His speech and conversation, says his mother, has always been Greece. His misery and lust, his dream and song: the union of Cyprus with Greece.

He was the manager of the student teams of the Greek High School of Famagusta in the EOKA race. His duties included organizing the students of his school, writing and teaching songs of militant content, distributing leaflets, hiding and dealing in weapons, carrying the mail and organizing militant student demonstrations. For his activities, he was pointed out by the conquerors, who also hunted him.

On February 6, 1956, the students of Famagusta Gymnasium clashed with the army and the government ordered the closure of the Gymnasium. The next day, February 7, 1956, a large force of students from the Gymnasium and Commercial High School of Famagusta gathered on Ermou Street⁴ and organized a demonstration.

During the demonstration the students set up barricades and stoned the English soldiers. They used live fire against the protesters. During the retreat, an English soldier took aim and shot Petrakis Giallouros in the heart. Petrakis took about ten steps, shouted “LONG LIVE THE UNION” and fell.

He was the first student whose blood watered the land of Greek Cyprus. His sacrifice will teach future generations the way of virtue and duty for the freedom of the country.