Cyprus marks 95th anniversary of the 1931 October uprising

On October 21, 2026, Cyprus commemorated the 95th anniversary of the 'Oktovriana' or October uprising, a significant anti-colonial rebellion against British rule that began in 1931. The uprising, which lasted until early November, remains one of the most intense anti-colonial challenges faced by Britain during the interwar period.

The revolt was ignited on October 21, 1931, when approximately 5,000 protesters—primarily students, priests, and city notables—rallied in Nicosia to demand 'Enosis', or union with Greece. The unrest escalated after Governor Ronald Storrs imposed tax hikes to address a budget deficit in September, leading to the resignation of Greek Cypriot members of the legislative council. On October 18, Bishop Nikodemos of Kition issued a call for civil disobedience. The conflict culminated in the besiegement and burning of the old government house.

Political party Disy commemorated the anniversary by calling for continued efforts toward a reunified Cyprus free from foreign occupation. The event serves as a historical marker for the island's long-standing pursuit of self-determination, linking past struggles for independence to contemporary demands regarding national sovereignty and the removal of international guarantees.