The Right. Hon. Theresa Villiers, Member of Parliament for Chipping Barnet and President of the Conservative Friends of Cyprus, hosted the UK Parliament’s first ‘Vasilopita’ celebration on Monday 9th January, bringing together members of the British Cypriot community and Conservative MPs including Bob Blackman, David Burrowes, Sir Roger Gale, Sheryll Murray, Martin Vickers, Julian Knight, Mark Menzies, and Sir David Amess. His Excellency the Cyprus High Commissioner, Euripides Evriviades, was present and the Vasilopita cake was blessed by His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain.
Cypriot families across the UK celebrate the New Year with the cutting of the Vasilopita cake, which brings good luck. A coin is hidden in the cake before baking.
The event was organised by photographer and cameraman, Doros Partasides, and Enfield Conservative Councillor, Jason Charalambous, Chairman of Conservative Friends of Cyprus. It took place at a crucial time for Cyprus, as President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, meet in Geneva for further talks concerning a united Cyprus. The negotiations have been underway since 2015. Although there are many difficult issues at stake, there is genuine hope that a settlement may be reached which could then be voted on in referendums in Cyprus.
In response to a recent question from Ms Villiers at PMQs, the Prime Minister stated in Parliament that she enthusiastically supported the Cyprus talks.
Theresa Villiers said: “It was a privilege to host the first ever Vasilopita ceremony to take place in Parliament. It was great to be able to welcome so many colleagues to the event, allowing us to show support for the Cypriot community at such an important time. I would like to send my best wishes to President Anastasiades and Mr Akinci as they continue their negotiations in Geneva. They have reached a crucial stage and I hope they get the fullest possible support from the international community and from Cypriots in their efforts to reach a settlement to reunite Cyprus after so many years of division.”