Cyprus, still divided and still "hosting" United Kingdom, Turkey, Greece and green liner UN troops. 50 years since ceasefire but still divided. As our wounds that aren't healed, still hurts and even more as noticing that our pain is profitable or beneficial to some. During pandemic year 2020 and early 2021, I have spent the longest time ever in Cyprus since I left the island in 2013. During those 4 months, I have spent most of my time with my 96 yo grandma and every story that was involving a Greek-speaking Cypriot and none were matching what we were indoctrinated in schools. There wasn't any hatred between Cypriots. Instead, all Cypriots lived in harmony until British colonial strategy "divide and conquer" was seeded and applied on Cyprus, too. Within the time, belonging to "homelands" from ethnic segregation was a cause of bloodshed, fear and further atrocities that it left us in fear and pain. Thus; divided, even today.
"island / two" as a documentary photography project based on different series based on Cyprus, believing that:
Cypriots' mutual pain can heal through recognition by compassion. As soon as we are compassionate with one another and celebrate all our colors within,
it will be the day for becoming one and united for demilitarized, liberal Cyprus.
GHOST TOWN
Maraş/Βαρώσια/Varosha
2021
Once, Varosha was the most precious, top tourist destination and most developed town in Cyprus. In 1950s, independent movement against British Rule in Cyprus followed by success, though shortly after increasing Greek nationalism in Cyprus has yielded Turkish troops invasion in 1974. Since then, only Turkish army had access to Varosha. Nearly half a century long remained as a forbidden zone was guarded by Turkish army and to be used as valuable "key" during Cypriot negogitiations. Emotionally challenging place hosts plants growing wildly in the displaced people's living rooms or bedrooms. Broken glass and bullet holes decorate the walls of homes and shops that were looted during the invasion. Since 2020, the town has been opened to public as a "sightseeing", allowing visitors to stroll around or to cycle via designated renovated roads. I can't imagine the pain for those who experienced its most vibrant times. However, while I was passing by another building that was looted, abandoned, still bulletmarks on its facade , seeing a couple who were posing happily, smiles to a phone's front camera, only deepened a feeling of shame, sadness and anger on me even after I left the "ghost town".
AYGURUŞ
Esentepe /Αγιοσ Αμβροσιοσ
2020-2021
The village of Agios Amvrosios was originally inhabited by Greek-speaking Cypriots till forced to be displaced. Relocating people based on their ethnicity happened due to invasion in '74. Ethical identification has been done by colanial British rule as Turkish/Muslim or Greek/Christian for Cypriots. Thus, Turkish-speaking Cypriots as current inhabitants of Agios Amvrosios (known as "Ayguruş" among them) arrived from their village, Aynikola (Agios Nikolaus), located in southwest of the island near Paphos. Subsequent to failed peace negotiations, the Turkish-speaking community founded "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in 1983 by full support and recognition of Turkey. Soon after, many villages and cities underwent "rebranding" for Turksih asymilation. Thus, Agios Amvrosios is known as Esentepe (Breezy Hill) today. Despite its "untold" history, this village, where I grew up and most of my family still resides is nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains with stunning sunsets, landscapes and beaches. The house I grew up in was initially provided to my parents as a temporary shelter, until a peace agreement is signed. However, still living in division for half, it has became a home.
"FOREIGNERS'" CEMETERY
Ayguruş/Αγιοσ Αμωροσιοσ
2021
Following an indistinct path, aiming to collect mushrooms. Apperance of yellow stones wall dividing green surface by a sea blue griding to sky blue, continues of the wall ending partially demolished arch of a gate. Excitement and satisfaction to walk further, to catch even more picturesque landscape, a true color pallet of Cyprus's winter, a couple of months before the sun converts surfaces to yellow, trees' green on blue background undistinguished horizon line.
Carrying on to walk by half arched gate, hints appearing in lying grey cross marblesh have carved names and dates, all before July 1974. What was it? Greed? Hatred? Revenge? Apathy? Even for those six feet under? Why? How? What for? Hatred? Revenge? Apathy?
Probably, all in one. After this experience, I researched on Christian cemeteries known by locals as "Greek Cemeteries" to figure out that same scenery were prevalent on other villages too, in northern part of the green line. Furthermore, I discovered that some British people living in northern part requested to authorities for restoration of Christian cemeteries, however a rejection was given by a statement;"'Foreigner's Cemeteries' isn't our duty to restore it but their relatives are responsible who don't care."
Apathy? Hatred? Revenge? Greed?
NORTHERN SHORE
2021
Beside the common habit among locals of littering waste, Cypriot coast receive many debris from neighboring countries. This fact is noticeable as soon as examining items scattered around by their labels. "Made in .." or other texts written in Turkish, Greek, Arabic, or Hebrew. Numerous items, particularly those related to emergencies or health care had Arabic texts, often. Coincidentally or not, it was unavoidable not to reflect on the thousands of lives lost in the Mediterranean Sea in the past decade due to caused catastrophes in the region.
HERE AND THERE, CYPRUS
