www.talkcyprus.org

[StelC]

I do not know why but a couple of weeks ago I had the desire to go to my university’s library and look for Greek books just to see the collection they have there. I was surprised to see such a big collection since it is a Canadian university. I picked a Greek book called “Αρματωλοί και Κλέφτες”. It is an old book describing the years right before 1821, which I never had the chance to read during school. I read the book within a couple of days, constantly feeling proud of the characters described in the book as I was reading it. As I was returning the book to the library the following day I couldn’t helped wondering. How could I, a person so proud of his Greek descend, ever agree to never fighting back to take what was once “ours” if a solution is ever agreed upon.

I learnt history through my schoolbooks and what people had told me. I knew Turkey and Turkish Cypriots through the fear and hate of those close to me. I came to hate the Turkish and Turkish Cypriots while in the army. I avoided contact with Turkish people at university.

I feel proud of my history, of my people, of my national anthem and flag.

The next book I borrowed had to do with the recent negotiations (prior to 2003). I came to understand both sides-the unreliability and inconsistency of Denktash being a negative factor nonetheless. I now have two more books, a historical one written by Christofis Oikonomides and another describing the sources of nationalism in Cyprus.

Through these books and many more to come, I am slowly getting a grasp of the real facts. Gradually understanding what happened. I always knew that my side had a big share in the troubles which broke out in the 1960s. However, like most of my people, I always thought that Britain was to be blamed for giving too much power to the Turkish Cypriots. For giving them the “right” of having unreasonable demands.

It had never crossed my mind that they had the right of making demands as well. If you think about it, how selfish were the Greek Cypriots asking for a union with Greece if 15-20% of the population did not want that?
We had the chance to settle the problem so many times but we always asked for too much. Which has lead us up to this point, a point where we now know that what we are negotiating for is less than anything else ever been offered to us.

My point isn’t that however. The way I feel about Turkish people, and perhaps Turkish people, arises from whatever I have been taught so far. As I self educate myself on the real facts, the hate is fading away and turning into compassion.

Who is going to educate my side, and your side on what really happened? A solution is nothing if the foundations are not there to support it. The way we feel about our history needs to change. Nationalism needs to dwindle. How is that going to happen though, if we both feel so proud of who we are? If we both feel the urge to pass it on to our children?


Ill try and keep an eye on these forums, for the first time feeling content in engaging in conversations with people from the other side.

[Xenos 2Fan]

Hosgeldin (welcome) to the forums. 8)

[pg]

Great post!

While you are at it, have a look at Papadakis book "Echoes from the dead zone". Just a recommendation.

[100%cypriot]

the issue now is not to keep blaming each other but to see how we are going to correct it

[brother]

Hi StelC and welcome to the forum :welcome:

That was a great first post, i look forward to talking and debating with you.

[Dhavlos]

great first post, i hope there are other like you!

:welcome:

[city]

Welcome to the forum StelC!

I hope to 'see' you here more often. We need many more people like yourself, on both sides. People that are questioning what they have been taught in the last decades, people that think about their islands future and about the people on both sides, people that are willing to educate themselves and to also face the not always pleasant truth.

Once again, welcome!

[Bananiot]

Christophis Oikonomides is one of the few sane people we have in Cyprus. He is getting on now but still remains a source of inspiration for the Cypriots that long for lasting peace and a solution.

[repulsewarrior]

welcome Mdme C. I too look forward to your posts and know that your contribution has renewed the hope of many.

[Londoner]

Welcome to the forum StelC - is the book you referred to on Nationalism in Cyprus by William Mallinson?

[StelC]

Its good to see you guys didnt argue the point i made in my post.
Quote:
the issue now is not to keep blaming each other but to see how we are going to correct it

I strongly believe that unless the past is cleansed out of all nationalistic views we cannot do much. All over the world, in places where there have been conflicts and civil wars they tried setting up reconciliation committees, which have been means of speaking out the truth and promoting everlasting peace among the people. South Africa being the best example.

Its disappointing to see that the Cypriot history recited by both sides after 1974 was even more biased than before, leading to the increased widening of the gap. Therefore, for many years relying simply on small conferences to “brake the ice” between the two communities.


The book I have is called “Imagining the Modern” by Rebecca Bryant.

ps. repulse warrior where in canada are you? Are you greek or turkish cypriot?

[cypezokyli]

hi stelc.
:welcome: to the forum

great first post.
tp be honest, i had more or less the same experience.
staying with the school info is dangerous.
but is as dangerous to read only one book on a subject.

good thing is that concerning the cyppro, the last 15 years we have (finally) academic views. all the years before we had only journalistic books or politicians opinions - which are all boringly similar. reading academic work gives you a way better picture...

keep those posts coming

[repulsewarrior]

Indeed, keep posting. Dialog, communication, are what is needed after the isolation from each other for so long. Also, remember that this electronic age and our tap tap tapping is something which is new to the world and our way of thinking.

Also I must say how much I have learned since joining this forum is tremendous, and I am very glad to have the opportunity to share in the discussion, and the debate. It is true, it has changed my way of thinking, as I believe that it has effected all of us.

[hakkinen]

hey
i ve just joined the forum and i have to say that all the posts that i have read so far are really good and i look foward in talking and readind what everyone has to say.
my 'real discovery' of cyprus started last year when i started a master in peace studies, trying to avoid i have to admit in the beggining anything that had to do with cyprus. but during the course i realized that all i learnt (nationalism, conflict resolution, UN) led me to Cyprus. so i started to read whatever i could find and realized my real lack of knowledge. i was shocked when i realized the propaganda in the education system and the media. what we had accused the 'other side' to do we had mastered ourseleves! even though i was brought up in a moderate house were i didnt learn to hate the turks or the turkish cypriots i didnt learn the whole story....

[cypezokyli]

:welcome: to the forum hakinnen.

where are you making your masters if i may ask ?