21149 - Malta in the memory of the Cypriot people
N. Lygeros, B. Tsatsampa
Translated from the Greek by Athena Kehagias
An even more astonishing example regarding the integration of the 1565 siege of Malta in the Hellenic history, derives from the Cypriot nation.
This traditional song is not only plenitude compared to that of Thasos, but it even describes the combat elements and of course it obtains a chant style.
This version is in the Cypriot dialect and was published by Sakellarios Athanasios, in the second volume of the Cypriots (Athens, 1891, pages 181-183). Hubert Pernot and Nikolaos Politis consider that this primary script was current at the era of the events, and as we do not see evidence of the war of Cyprus, that is the fourth war between the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire, which started in 1570.
Therefore it is very likely that we have on our hands a text of the period between 1565- 1570.
We clearly see in the chant, that the mandate for the siege of Malta came from Constantinople, which coincides with the historical data.
There are of course changes which were incorporated by the tradition of the acritic cycle, such as the astrological references.
We also know, that historically the Greek inhabitants helped the Knights against the Ottomans and the incident with the Cypriot lad, reminds us of this valuable assistance against barbarism.
And in regards to the conclusion of the chant, it is hard not to drink a sweet wine as a treat to the Mnemosyne.