The Karavas Refugee Association

The Karavas Refugee Association was established in 1987 with a single and absolute goal: the return of the people of Karavas to their beloved homeland.

Since its establishment on the 20^th of January 1987, the Karavas Refugee Association has become the advocate of every Karavas refugee. It is the manifestation of the desire of the people of Karavas to return home. This is possible thanks to the activity and tremendous efforts of all the members of the Boards of Directors that have led it all these years.

Since its establishment, the Karavas Refugee Association has has been very active, especially so in the national, cultural, and social sectors.

The Cyprus Problem is at the core of the Association’s activity. All events – national, cultural and social – have the fundamental aim of maintaining the memory of the occupied town alive and enhancing the struggle of Cypriot Hellenism for freedom and justice.

The Association represents the entirety of the people of Karavas, regardless of their ideology. It closely monitors current developments on the political scene and carries out the necessary actions to defend the rights of the people of Karavas, those of the people of Kyrenia, and those of all refugees. The aim of the Association is the return of all refugees to their homes and the safeguarding of the rights to freedom, security and dignity.

Promoting culture also lies at the core of the Association’s. activity The Lemon Dance, the Christmas children’s events, the events hosted for Karavas graduates, and the events to enhance the memory of the occupied town of Karavas are just a some of the events which bring the refugees of Karavas together and equip them with the necessary strength to continue the struggle for return.

One of the fundamental achievements of the collective contribution of the Boards of Directors of the Karavas Refugee Association, the Karavas Municipality and all the refugees was the creation of Karavas Cultural Foundation, an effort that began in 1989 and was completed in 2001. The Karavas Cultural Foundation today houses the Municipality of Karavas, the Karavas Refugee Association, as well as other Karavas groups and has become a symbol for all refugees. It has become a place that nurtures the memory, mind and soul, and strengthens the will of Karavas refugees for the struggle to return to their homes.

Another core interest of the Association is the social contribution. Events in honour of Karavas pensioners and the moral and financial support of families with financial difficulties are a few examples of the social activity of the Association.

With the aim of maintaining the desire for return and the memory of the beloved homeland alive, the Association receives constant and unwavering support from the Municipality of Karavas and the other organized groups of Karavas.  Furthermore, the Association promotes its relations with twinned municipalities from Greece and Karavas expatriates living abroad, through their associations, namely Lambousa New York Association, Lapithos-Karavas and Outskirts Association of London, and Lambousa Melbourne Australia.