The national anthem of Cyprus is called: « Hymn to Liberty ».
Continent: Europe
History of « Hymn to Liberty »
« Hymn to Liberty » (Greek: « Ύμνος εις την Ελευθερίαν ») is the national anthem of Cyprus. The anthem is shared with Greece and reflects the historical and cultural ties between the two nations, celebrating the spirit of freedom and independence.
Key Dates and People
- 1823: The lyrics of « Hymn to Liberty » were written by Dionysios Solomos, a Greek poet, during the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire.
- 1828: The music for the anthem was composed by Nikolaos Mantzaros, a Greek composer.
- 1960: Upon gaining independence from British rule, Cyprus adopted « Hymn to Liberty » as its national anthem, reflecting its close cultural and historical ties with Greece.
Anecdotes
- Shared Anthem: « Hymn to Liberty » is unique in that it serves as the national anthem for both 🇬🇷 Greece and Cyprus. This shared anthem underscores the deep cultural and historical connections between the two countries.
- Lengthy Poem: The original poem by Dionysios Solomos consists of 158 stanzas, making it one of the longest national anthems in the world. However, only the first two stanzas are typically sung.
- Symbol of Unity: The adoption of « Hymn to Liberty » as the national anthem of Cyprus symbolizes the island’s struggle for independence and its solidarity with Greece. It is a powerful expression of the shared values of freedom and national pride.
Lyrics Excerpt
In Greek
Σε γνωρίζω από την κόψη
του σπαθιού την τρομερή,
σε γνωρίζω από την όψη
που με βία μετράει τη γη.
Απ' τα κόκκαλα βγαλμένη
των Ελλήνων τα ιερά
και σαν πρώτα ανδρειωμένη,
χαίρε, ω χαίρε, Ελευθεριά!In English (translation)
I recognize you by the fearsome
sharpness of your sword,
I recognize you by the gleam
in your eye as you survey the earth.
From the sacred bones
of the Hellenes arisen,
and valiant as in the olden days,
hail, oh hail, Liberty!Sources: