The 20th of February 2021 saw a big development in Cyprus - a demonstration was held, thousands of young people came. There were no national flags, no party political flags or emblems - this was a strong showing that the youth in particular has had enough - It was called "Ως δαμε". No further.
They want an end to corruption and bad governance, an end to nepotism and backhanders. They want jobs, transparency, meritocracy and democracy as well as the reunification of the island -
It was heartening to see this.
I am currently reading Andrekos Varnava's book entitled " Assassination in Colonial Cyprus in 1934 and the Origins of EOKA. It is his attempt to read archives against the grain and extrapolate from historical sources what he thinks was the story behind the assassination of a prominent Cypriot lawyer - Antonis Triantafyllides. His account is well worth reading.In it he refers to many historical archives.
It is this passage below which struck me -
He quotes Sir Reginald Edward Stubbs from his own writings CO67/251/3 Stubbs memorandum 16 October 1933
"I know of no community which is so utterly unfit to take any responsible part in the Government of the native country as is that of Cyprus ( ....) and public spirit is a thing not only unknown but practically inconceivable."He claimed that in the other colonies where he had served Hong Kong and Jamaica many locals served the public good but in Cyprus men only entered public life to profit themselves and their extended family and friends."
Ouch.
2021 and this is the same cry going up from the population. It hurts to read the history and swallow it whole and you may say this is the account of one man but sadly I see many grains of truth in what he says. Is there hope for change ? The youth of Cyprus might have it in hand.
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