Cabinet declares May 12 ‘Day of the Farmer’ nearly 600 years after uprising

The cabinet has declared May 12 to be the Day of the Farmer after suggestions by agricultural organisations who wanted to honour a historical uprising by Cypriot serfs between 1426 and 1427.

“With this decision, the government proves its appreciation, respect and support to the rural world of Cyprus, which, facing many challenges, especially at this time, manages not only to stand up but to contribute the maximum both in the economy of our country and to society in general,” an official announcement said.

According to the proposal submitted to the council of ministers by the Agriculture Minister Costas Kadis, the choice of this date is not accidental.

According to history, when in 1426 “the oppression and economic bloodshed of the Cypriots by the Franks exceeded all limits, the Cypriot farmers, under the leadership of the serf ‘Alexis’, revolted” but while they took back some control for a number of months, the Franks ultimately dominated within 10 months of the rebellion.

The leaders of the uprising including ‘Alexis’ were executed on May 12, 1427 outside the Venetian walls of Nicosia where they were hanged.

The agricultural organisations, in their recent letter to the minister emphasised the importance of the uprising, especially now during a crisis when farmers are called on to play a leading role in the economy.

They hailed the move later on Wednesday in a joint announcement saying the date was one of the most historic moments for the Cypriot people and especially the farmers.

“The uprising that took on a Cypriot character and was directed against Frankish rule, was a liberation movement for justice and freedom and demanded that the land be given to its cultivators,” the joint announcement said.

“During the months that the revolution lasted, the Cypriot farmers took their land back.”

The uprising was prompted, they said immediately after a particularly catastrophic invasion by the Mamluks of Egypt in Cyprus, the defeat of the Cypriot forces in battle near the village of Choirokoitia, Larnaca on July 7, 1426 and the capture of the then King of Cyprus Janus (1374 – 1432). Janus was captured and later replaced in Cyprus by his brother Hugh of Lusignan whose family was forced to flee to Kyrenia ahead of the invasion, as the Mamluks pillaged Larnaca and Nicosia.

At the same time there were epidemics and a plague of locusts that pushed the serf farmers to the limit and they, supported by the population, began the uprising during which at one point Alexis was ‘crowned’ king in Lefkoniko.

With help from Europe the rebellion was quashed and King Janus returned to Cyprus after being released. He arrived in Paphos the same day Alexis and his men were executed.

“The revolution of the Cypriot peasants was pioneering because it was directed against the institution of the conquering king, which at that time no one thought to do,” the agricultural organisations said in their statement. “It was unique, majestic and very daring.”