In mid-August, the Greek Cypriots commemorate the fall of Famagusta port (is) in the hands of the Turkish army in 1974, and Independence Day is celebrated on another date, October 1, Once the freshness back, and most Cypriots have returned from vacation. But it is on the stroke of midnight, August 15, 1960, that Cyprus has officially declared its independence after 82 years of British colonial rule.
"I do not know it was the anniversary today," told AFP the owner of the Greek Cypriot newspaper stand, one of the few shops open in the deserted capital of Nicosia.
"We celebrated in October, because right now everyone is at the beach," he recalls.
Fifty years after the departure of British, Greek Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and the leader of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC, proclaimed and recognized only by Ankara) Dervis Eroglu to negotiate a reunification of the island but discussions stalled.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded northern Cyprus following a coup d'état by Greek Cypriot nationalists backed by the junta of colonels then in power in Athens and to link the country with Greece.
For Tabitha Morgan, author of "Sweet and Bitter Island: A History of the British in Cyprus," most of turbulence that the island has known since independence are rooted in the way Britain was led Island.
"During the early days of British occupation, it (the island) is certainly remained one of the poorest possessions of the British Empire," she says.
For this reason, Cyprus was equipped with a poorly developed infrastructure, and until World War II, attracted very few directors competent, she said.
"Accordingly, for decades, Cyprus was known in London as the + colony + Cinderella," she says.
The fire of the British Governor's residence in Nicosia in October 1931, triggered by Greek Cypriots protest against tax increases, was a turning point, says Morgan.
"From thence to independence, the Cypriots will be denied any role in governing their country, apart from token positions," she says.
In the north of the island under Turkish occupation, no celebration will take place to mark the independence of the island.
"It means nothing to the Turkish Cypriots", told AFP Erol Kaymak, professor of international relations at the University of Famagusta.
"As for the Greek Cypriots, the departure of Great Britain is a part of their self-determination process, we do not see EOKA (the paramilitary organization that fought against British rule and in favor of the attachment to Greece) as an organization fighting for independence. "
"We believe we, as a terrorist group," says Kaymak.
"Instead, we celebrate our own independence of the Greek Cypriots. Today, we celebrate the defense of Famagusta by the Turkish army "in 1974, says he.
