Introduction
Cyprus
I want to share from my heart regarding the Island of Cyprus – such a precious, hospitable nation and people. Unfortunately, in most recent history, it is presently an island divided with Turkish Cypriots in the north of the island and Greek Cypriots in the south. This division resulted from the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. (There is much back story here, which is worth researching, but suffice it to say, most Cypriots, when talking about the history of Cyprus, will return to the Invasion of Cyprus by Turkey in 1974, which created the division of the island).
The island’s north is now called the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,” considered a de facto nation and generally only recognized by Turkey and a few small nations. South Cyprus is the “Republic of Cyprus.”
As a result of the invasion of 1974, more than 200,000 refugees (or displaced people) were created—150,000 Greek Cypriots who lived in the north were forced to the south, and around 60,000 Turkish Cypriots in the south were forced to live in the north. A few older Greek Cypriots who lived in the north were allowed to stay in their villages, but to this date, fewer and fewer remain alive.
After this invasion, Turkey began to flood the north of Cyprus with what was called Turkish Settlers – those from small villages or farms, those who lived a simple life in Turkey that could participate in settling the north of Cyprus for Turkey. As you can imagine, this resettlement has created much tension between the two sides.
Cyprus is approaching the 50th Anniversary of this Invasion. Both the Greek Cypriot government and the Turkish government (mainland Turkey and Northern Cyprus)
The most significant movement toward some cooperation, albeit small, is when the Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004. At this time, a few northern and south borders had fewer restrictions for movement between the two sides, with border agents asking for passports or IDs to visit the other side. Some Greek Cypriots refused to see the north, even some of their lands because they refused to show a passport or ID to visit their land. There are many tensions, and only a fair and just solution will bring unity between these two sides.
My goal for this blog and others will be to mainly focus on the traditions, culture, festivals, and possibly handicrafts of these nations. I will try to avoid too many political discussions unless they form part of the overall background of what I’m writing about.
I look forward to sharing more with you about Cyprus and to your interaction with me about this nation.
Chronicles of the Middle East
Introducing Cyprus
‘Chronicles of the Middle East’ is about capturing the stories of people living in the Middle East and Mediterranean region and releasing these through photographs, videos, vlogs and blogs – For a greater understanding of the richness of the history of the Middle East and its peoples, and to show how what happens in this region affects all regions of the world.
