We wish you a good and safe trip, dear ship, on your maiden voyage, as you are loaded with hope and courage. Ships like you used to furrow the same seas thousands of years ago, carrying to the four corners of the sea oil, wine, stories, experiences and ideas.
It was ships like you that built the great civilization of the sea: with ever-wide horizons, passionately inquisitive, full of faith in communication and exchange.
You may not meet with Cyclops, dragons, sirens or the Laistrygonians on your way or come across other monsters that have been subdued or mysteries that have been solved.
You will, however, sail across the same, identical world, which is full of stone-carved horses with upright manes, quiet amphorae and slanting dolphin backs, a small yet Great world!
You are starting, dear ship, on a research journey, which is valuable for science but has, at the same time, a symbolic dimension.
Tomorrow at the cape columns you wíll bow before the tragic king who gave his name to the sea that is more Greek than the land of Greece.
And after lighting a candle for the Virgin of Kanala you will dance to the Francosyrian tunes and take part in the skinbag game, rest in the shade of the plane tree of Hippocrates and cast anchor before the castles of the island that instituted the law of the sea.
And from Rhodes to Ro - the furthermost rock. I give your captain, Kyrenia ship, an olive plant - a symbol of Greece, a symbol of Peace.
I give this on behalf of all Greek women for the Greek Lady that lies awake over there, to sieve the light and lie over her gently in her sleep*.
And then, dear ship, the wind and the sturdy arms of your men will lead you to your final destination, to the gold-green leaf that is cast in the sea.
Apart from the minerals, the wine and the millstones, Kyrenia ship, you carry the weight of your own name, which is heavy and invaluable.
Your city is occupied. Your prototype is held captive.
Enemies have often set foot on the ancient earth of that mythical country but have not been able to take root there. A sample of this primeval earth will soon be given to you by the mayor of Kyrenia, to hold in your bosom, to remember and be your yardstick.
Your route, Kyrenia ship, is a course that binds, a course that is intangible, nevertheless unbroken. So, farewell, Kyrenia ship, on your long journey.
We bid you farewell, with the sounds of the santouri, the most entrancing tunes.
Our navy will be with you. Our wishes will accompany you. Let Aeolus unfurl your sail. And may St. Nicholas protect you. Goodbye, then. Bon voyage.
And perhaps on your return journey the earth that you will keep in your hold will be the earth of free Kyrenia. Farewell.
The Lady of Ro, Despina Achladioti, saved the small island of Ro from falling into the hands of the Turks by hoisting the Greek flag every day on the uninhabited island.