www.talkcyprus.org

[stavrizatz]

Erolz wrote:
Quote: The use of nationalism is to aid building a nation. If we have no concept or support for Cypriot nationalism then how do we build a Cypriot nation?
There can be solution and peace without a Cypriot nation.

Erolz wrote:
Quote: We either believe that a thing called the Cypriot nation exists , not just on paper but in our hearts or minds, or we do not.
Some believe, some don't. I grew up believing that there was a Cypriot nation, only the last couple of years that I studied the topic a bit deeper I realised that was not the case.

Quote: If we do believe it exits then that is an expression of cypriot nationalism.
Yes

Erolz wrote:
Quote: If we do not believe it exists then we can not hope to build a cypriot nation.

It is possible because people change with time and their perception changes as well. Cypriot nationalism or Cypriotism is a new trend, at least in the South and eventually I think Greek nationalism will die out. If the same trend starts in the North, and I believe it allready started then there is the possibility that we could have a Cypriot nation.

However as Polis said in another thread and I'll agree with him:

"... and then again, instead, why don't we try to create a culture of respect for democracy, civil liberties and human rights and use that as a basis for the formation of a state where everyone (Greeks, Turks, Surians, Georgians, Russians, Filippinos, Poles, Sri Lankans and everyone else who chose to make this island their home - legally and not as part of a continuing war crime) can culivate their national identity at libery and in peace."

I think the way to go about it is neither the Greek nationalism promoted by the extreme Right and a group of Apoel fans, which is at some degree chauvinism, neither Cypriot nationalism promoted by the extreme left and a group of Omonoia fans. We don't need to forget our Greek or Turkish ethnic identity in order to progress as a Cypriot multicultural state.

[pg]

erolz wrote: I think we are in agreement.

All I was saying really is that if as a cypriot you do not believe you are a cypriot but are in fact a greek or a turk that happens to reside in Cyprus, then there is no chance of building a unitary inclusive Cypriot nation. This can only be done if you believe you are a Cypriot who happens to have an ethnic connection as a Cypriot with Greece or Turkey. I say these things in response to the suggestion that "Cypriot nationalism is not progress, freedom to say you are what feel you are is progress." At the end of the day unless we believe in the idea of Cypriotism as a national identity seperate from and over Turk and Greek then we have no ability or chance to build a Cypriot nation.

I also think we agree.

My point was just that I think that believing there is a Cypriot nation is not nationalism.