On October 1st, a bank holiday in Cyprus, we celebrate our Independence Day with festivals at schools and communities and a big military parade in capital city Nicosia.
According to the Zurich-London Treaty, Cyprus becomes an independent republic on 16th August 1960 with the charismatic Archbishop Makarios III as the first president who had already been elected on March 1st, 1959. Cyprus also becomes a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Commonwealth, and the Non-Aligned Movement. According to the above treaty, Britain retains two Soverign Bases (158.5 sq.km) on the island. The Greek Cypriots alternating support for independence and union with Greece, and the efforts of the Turkish Cypriots towards partition of the island, in combination with the military and strategic aims of the Great powers at various times lead to a friction between both sides escalating into violence in 1963.
Archbishop Makarios III - First President of the Republic of Cyprus
Between 1963 and 1974, talks between the two communities were held in an effort to find a mutually acceptable formula. However, the situation was dramatically altered in July 1974 when the military junta that was then ruling Greece staged a coup d'etat against Makarios announcing that Makarios was dead. The President had escaped to Paphos and from there he addressed the people of Cyprus through a local radio station. This triggered a huge wave of enthusiasm amongst the Greek Cypriots who were relieved to know that their beloved leader was alive.
Turkey, on the other hand, taking advantage of the situation and purporting to act under the Treaty of Guarantee attacked Cyprus on July 20, 1974. The Turkish Aggression caused heavy loss of life both in the battle field and during attacks on civilians including children and old people. In addition to this bloody invasion, illegal immigrants from Turkey were brought to inhabit the northern occupied part of the island. To this day, the island remains divided in two parts: the Republic of Cyprus which has been an official member of the European Union since 2004 and the illegally occupied area in the north.
Adana Concentration Camps - Turkey - July 1974
All six presidents of the Republic of Cyprus
Χρόνια πολλά στην Κύπρο μας κι'εύχομαι σύντομα να βρεθεί μια λύση!!
Posted by: Sophia | October 01, 2011 at 12:48 PM
Great tribute! Let's hope that the leaders of both communities will eventually work out a just and viable solution for Greek and Turkish Cypriots alike.
Posted by: Lakis Ioannou | October 01, 2011 at 12:55 PM
Χρόνια πολλά! Εύχομαι από καρδιάς να βρεθεί σύντομα μια δίκαιη λύση για την πολύπαθη Κύπρο.
Posted by: Olga | October 01, 2011 at 01:30 PM
Hello. My name is Ayçin. I am turkish cypriot and i am born here in Cyprus. I want a good solution like greeks. But things are very bad here in north cyprus. The Turks who are came from Turkey are like terrorists for us Turkish Cypriots. Is so horrible. They say we are their slaves! I am educate, my english is not good but I have university degree from Ankara University. I am psychologist. I working in a hospital in Girne. Sometimes I am feel jelous becose you greek can be so free. Also many others turkish cypriots now that doors are open come to greeks to work. Becose here no work. And all time the Tuurks say are our masters. Where we live? I am not think that now in 21 century they are masters and slaves. If we talk on the internet the turks who come from turkey watching us and we are lose our jobs.
Happy Independence Day to you. It was very nice to learn some greek history. I not know Makarios - and thank you for the links.
Posted by: Ayçin | October 01, 2011 at 02:07 PM
Fascinating history lesson-thank you : ) Oh and Happy Independence Day!!!!
Posted by: tipper | October 01, 2011 at 02:28 PM
Thank you very much for your constructive comment, Ayçin, I'm sorry things are so bad in the north. Yet, I'm glad the Internet allows us to communicate and exchange views freely. As a Greek Cypriot, I will never accept a solution unless all Turks depart from our island. It's OUR island, not theirs!
Posted by: Anastasia | October 01, 2011 at 02:51 PM
Happy Independence Day to Cyprus and all my friends there!
glitter-graphics.com
In the Netherlands, Liberation Day (Dutch: Bevrijdingsdag) is celebrated each year on May 5th, to mark the end of the occupation by Nazi Germany during World War II. The Netherlands were liberated largely by Canadian troops, with the assistance of the British and American Armie.s
Posted by: Alexia M | October 01, 2011 at 03:32 PM
Our treatment of both older people and children reflects the value we place on independence and autonomy. We do our best to make our children independent from birth. We leave them all alone in rooms with the lights out and tell them, Go to sleep by yourselves. And the old people we respect most are the ones who will fight for their independence, who would sooner starve to death than ask for help. Happy Independence Day to Cyprus.
Posted by: Jim | October 02, 2011 at 01:42 AM