Κάθε Ιούλη, από το 2003 όταν άνοιξαν τα οδοφράγματα και μέχρι το 2008, η δικοινοτική πλατφόρμα «Συμμαχία Σταματήστε τον Πόλεμο-Κύπρος» (ΣΣΠ-Κ) οργάνωνε μαζί με άλλες οργανώσεις και ακτιβιστές κοινές εκδηλώσεις στη μνήμη των αδικοσκοτωμένων θυμάτων κι από τις δύο κοινότητες.
Τον Ιούλιο 2009, μετά από εισήγηση της φίλης Σεβγκιούλ Ουλουντάγ, η ΣΣΠ-Κ μαζί με άλλες 18 οργανώσεις αποφάσισε μια διαφορετική εκδήλωση. Να τιμήσουμε μερικούς από τους αφανείς ήρωες που βρίσκονται στον αντίποδα της ιστορίας των εγκλημάτων που διεπράχθησαν κι από τις δύο πλευρές τα τελευταία 50 χρόνια. Έτσι, επιλέξαμε 6 Ελληνοκύπριους και 4 Τουρκοκύπριους που σε καιρό πολέμου, ρισκάροντας ακόμα και τη ζωή τους, έσωσαν ή προστάτευσαν συνανθρώπους τους, προερχόμενους από την κοινότητα «του εχθρού», από βέβαιο θάνατο, σφαγή ή βιασμό. Οι ιστορίες προήλθαν από έρευνες και άρθρα της Sevgul Uludag που δημοσιεύθηκαν στις εφημερίδες Yeniduzen και Πολίτης.
Εκτός από το οφειλόμενο χρέος της κοινωνίας προς αυτούς τους ιππότες της ηθικής το καθήκον μας επιβάλλει να αναδείξουμε αυτές τις μέχρι σήμερα άγνωστες στον περισσότερο κόσμο ιστορίες θάρρους και ανθρωπιάς για τρεις λόγους:
ΕΠΕΙΔΗ τέτοια παραδείγματα αυτοθυσίας και ανθρωπισμού αποτελούν πηγή έμπνευσης για τον καθένα μας που θέλει να παλέψει ενάντια στον εθνικισμό και ενάντια στον πόλεμο.
ΕΠΕΙΔΗ η εκδήλωση το 2009 υπήρξε ορόσημο καθώς οργανώθηκε σε μια περίοδο όπου οι συνομιλίες βρίσκονταν σε εξέλιξη ενώ την ίδια στιγμή ο εθνικισμός και στις δύο πλευρές, όπως και σήμερα, σήκωνε κεφάλι, με εκδηλώσεις μίσους και προβοκάτσιες.
ΕΠΕΙΔΗ είναι σημαντικό να θυμούμαστε και θυμίζουμε στους νέους πως στην Κύπρο δεν ήμαστε πάντα διχασμένοι αλλά πως για αιώνες οι δυο κοινότητες οι απλοί άνθρωποι ζούσαν αρμονικά. έκαναν φιλίες, αλληλοβοηθιόντουσαν, θρηνούσαν μαζί στις λύπες και μαζί γιόρταζαν στις χαρές.
Για τους διοργανωτές της εκδήλωσης τότε, όπως και όλες οι παρόμοιες εκδηλώσεις μνήμης, αποτελούν μια απάντηση στις προκλήσεις των εθνικιστών. Παράλληλα συμβάλλουν στο χτίσιμο και στις δυο πλευρές ενός κινήματος από τα κάτω που να παλεύει ενάντια στον εθνικισμό, ενάντια στον πόλεμο.
Φέτος συμπληρώνονται 50 χρόνια από τον Ιούλιο του 1974 όταν τις ερπύστριες των τανκς του πραξικοπήματος ακολούθησαν οι ερπύστριες των τανκς και οι αεροπορικοί βομβαρδισμοί του τουρκικού στρατού και της αεροπορίας.
Γι’αυτό και σήμερα το καθήκον παραμένει επιτακτικό για κάθε δημοκράτη και ακτιβιστή της ειρήνης που παλεύει υπέρ της προσπάθειας για μια ειρηνική και τη δημοκρατική επανένωση του νησιού.
Ιούλιος 2021 Φαίδων Βασιλειάδης και Δημήτρης Χ Δημητρίου
*«Συμμαχία Σταματήστε τον Πόλεμο-Κύπρος» – «Χέρια Πάνω από τη Διαίρεση» (HAD) – Εργατική Δημοκρατία – Πολιτιστικό Κέντρο BARAKA – Κόμμα Νέα Κύπρος (YKP) – Κίνημα Οικολόγων Περιβαλλοντιστών – ΑΠΑΝΕΜΙ – Κίνηση Επανένωσης Κύπρου – Νεοκυπριακός Σύνδεσμος – «Δικοινοτική Πρωτοβουλία Συγγενών Αγνοουμένων, Δολοφονηθέντων και Θυμάτων Πολέμου» -«Παγκ. Κίνηση Διεκδίκησης Δικαιωμάτων Προσφύγων και Παθόντων» – «Επιτροπή Πολιτών για τη Διάνοιξη της Λήδρας και άλλων Οδοφραγμάτων» Συμφιλίωσης/ Uzlaşma – Συντεχνία Τ/Κ Δασκάλων (KTÖS) – Πλατφόρμα Ε/κ και Τ/κ Εκπαιδευτικών «Ενωμένη Κύπρος» – ΡΤΚ -Παράρτημα Λονδίνου – Όμιλος Ιστορικού Διαλόγου και Έρευνας.
July 22, 2009 – We honour Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots for acts of courage and humanitarianism in time of war
First and foremost they behaved humanely…
Every July from 2003, when the roadblocks first opened, until 2008, the bi-communal platform “Stop the War Coalition – Cyprus” StWC-Cy organised along with other organisations and activists joined events in memory of the dead victims from both communities.
In July 2009, at the suggestion of our friend Sevgiul Uludag, the StWC-Cy along with 18 other organizations decided a different approach. To honour some of the invisible heroes, who were the exact opposite of these who committed crimes against both communities in the previous 50 years. Thus, we selected 6 Greek Cypriots and 4 Turkish Cypriots who in time of war, risking their own lives, saved or protected their fellow human beings, coming from the community of the “enemy”, from certain death, massacre or rape. The stories came from Sevgul Uludag’s investigation and articles published in Yeniduzen and Politis newspapers.
In addition to the debt owed by society to these knights of morality, it is our duty to highlight these hitherto unknown stories of courage and humanity for three reasons:
BECAUSE such examples of self-sacrifice and humanism are a source of inspiration for each of us who want to fight against nationalism and against war.
BECAUSE the event in 2009 was a milestone as it was organized at a time when the talks were in progress while at the same time nationalism on both sides, just like today, was on the rise and busy organising events desinged to provoke hatred.
BECAUSE it is important to remember and remind young people that in Cyprus we were not always divided but for centuries the two communities of ordinary people lived harmoniously side by side. They built friendships, supported each other in difficult times, mourned together in sorrow and celebrated in joy.
For the organisers of the event, like all other commemorative events, these were in response to the challenges posed by the nationalists. At the same time, it was a contribution to the building of a movement from below that fights nationalism and against war on both sides of the divide. This year marks the 50th anniversary of July 1974, when the tracks of the tanks that made the coup were followed by the bombardment of the tanks of the Turkish army and air force. That is why today it’s still the duty of every democrat and peace activist to continue the fight for the peaceful and democratic reunification of the island.
July 2021, Phaedon Vasiliades & Demetris Hadjidemetriou
* Stop the War Coalition-Cyprus – Hands Across the Divide (HAD) – Workers Democracy – BARAKA Cultural Center – New Cyprus Party (YKP) – Cyprus Green Party – APANEMI – Cyprus Reunification Movement – Neocypriot Association – Bi-communal initiative of Relatives of Missing Persons, Murdered and Victims of War – Pancyprian Movement for Pursuing the Rights of Refugees and Victims – Citizens’ Committee for the Opening of Ledra and Other Checkpoints – Reconciliation / Uzlaşma – Union of Turkish Cypriot Teachers (KTÖS) – Platform of G/C and T/C Teachers «United Cyprus» – CTP –London Branch – Association for Historical Dialogue & Research.
Σε ένα σπίτι στη γειτονιά του Άι Γιάννη στη Λάρνακα η Έλλη και η κόρη της Αρετή ακούνε μεγάλη φασαρία να γίνεται έξω. Η Έλλη τρέχει και ανοίγει το ραδιόφωνο που παίζει στρατιωτική μουσική που μετά από λίγα δευτερόλεπτα διακόπτεται από μια ανακοίνωση.
ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΗ ΡΑΔΙΟΥ
Πατριώτες πολίτες της Κύπρου, ο ένδοξος κυπριακός στρατός με τη βοήθεια της ελληνικής πατρίδας έχει ανατρέψει την καταπιεστική και κομουνιστική στηριγμένη κυβέρνηση του Μακάριου. Μία νέα εποχή είναι μπροστά μας, μια νέα εποχή εθνικής δόξας και επιτεύγματος. Μια νέα εποχή που θα κάνει τους ένδοξους αρχαίους Έλληνες πατέρες μας υπερήφανους για άλλη μια φορά. Είμαστε σε πλήρη έλεγχο. Ο Μακάριος είναι νεκρός. Οποιαδήποτε αντίσταση θα συντριβεί αδίστακτα. Όποιος βρεθεί σε εξωτερικούς χώρους χωρίς άδεια θα συλληφθεί. Περαιτέρω ανακοινώσεις θα ακολουθήσουν σε νέα δελτία.
Η στρατιωτική μουσική συνεχίζει.
Όλοι κοιτάζουν το ραδιόφωνο. Αργά, η Έλλη μειώνει την ένταση του ραδιοφώνου.
ΕΛΛΗ
Ω Θεέ μου! Ο Μακάριος είναι νεκρός.
Ο σύζυγός της ο Ματθαίος μπαίνει στο δωμάτιο
ΕΛΛΗ
Ο Ματθαίο, μόλις άκουσα απ’ το ράδιο πως ο Μακάριος είναι νεκρός. Τον σκότωσαν!
ΜΑΤΘΑΙΟΣ
Το άκουσα και εγώ. Δεν είναι σίγουρο όμως. Ο στρατός έχει καταλάβει τα πάντα. Υπάρχουν φήμες ότι ο Μακάριος είναι ακόμα ζωντανός, αλλά κανένας δεν ξέρει.
ΕΛΛΗ
Τι φρίκη! Το ραδιόφωνο λέει ότι είναι νεκρός! Δεν το πιστεύω, δεν μπορεί να είναι νεκρός! Προσπάθησαν πολλές φορές πριν και πάντα απέτυχαν.
ΜΑΤΘΑΙΟΣ
Ποιος ξέρει; Αυτοί οι ηλίθιοι είναι μόνο λόγια. Δεν έχουν εμπιστοσύνη. Μονάχα λίγοι τρελοί ακροδεξιοί βλάκες στηρίζουν το πραξικόπημα.
ΕΛΛΗ
Ναι, αλλά πίσω τους έχουν τον στρατό.
ΜΑΤΘΑΙΟΣ
Το μεγαλύτερο μέρος του στρατού είναι στρατολογημένα νεαρά παιδιά, τα παιδιά μας. Δεν μπορούν να βασίζονται σε αυτούς και μέχρι τώρα δράση έχουν κυρίως Έλληνες αξιωματικοί μαζί με μερικούς ηλίθιους ακροδεξιούς.
ΕΛΛΗ
Πρέπει να φύγουμε και να πάμε κάπου πιο ασφαλές;
ΜΑΤΘΑΙΟΣ
Δεν υπάρχει άμεσος κίνδυνος! Πάντα αντιδράς υπερβολικά! Πρέπει να μείνουμε ήρεμοι. Θα επικοινωνήσω με το ΑΚΕΛ που πρέπει να οπλίσει τον κόσμο του για να αντισταθούμε.
ΕΛΛΗ
Εντάξει, εντάξει, αλλά πρέπει να προσέχεις. Όλοι σε ξέρουν και γνωρίζουν τι πιστεύεις πολιτικά Ματθαίο!
ΑΡΕΤΗ (15χρονη κόρη του Ματθαίου και της Έλλης)
Τι γίνεται όμως αν έρθουν να μας πιάσουν; Τι θα γίνει αν σε πυροβολήσουν;
ΜΑΤΘΑΙΟΣ
Δεν θα έρθουν εδώ, δεν τους έχουμε κάνει τίποτα. Αυτοί τωρά ασχολούνται με την προσπάθεια τους να πετύχει το πραξικόπημα…. αλλά είμαι σίγουρος πως δεν θα τα καταφέρουν.
Μια γειτόνισσα, η Σωτήρα μπαίνει μέσα.
ΣΩΤΗΡΑ
Έχουν αποκλείσει τους δρόμους!
ΕΛΛΗ
Πως το ξέρεις?
ΣΩΤΗΡΑ
Ο γιος μιας γνωστής μου οδηγούσε στην κέντρο της πόλης και τους είδε να φτιάχνουν οδοφράγματα. Ευτυχώς κατάφερε να τους φύγει. Είναι παντού.
ΕΛΛΗ
Μπλοκάρουν τους δρόμους!
Ο γιος τους, ο 22χρονος Στέλιος μπαίνει στο δωμάτιο
ΣΤΕΛΙΟΣ
Νομίζω ότι συλλαμβάνουν όλα τα γνωστά μέλη του ΑΚΕΛ. Ξέρει κανείς τι συμβαίνει στην υπόλοιπη Λάρνακα;
ΕΞΩ ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΑΙ ΓΙΑΝΝΗ ΟΙ ΚΑΜΠΑΝΕΣ ΚΤΥΠΟΥΝ: ΚΟΣΜΟΣ ΑΡΧΙΖΕΙ ΝΑ ΕΡΧΕΤΑΙ ΚΑΙ ΣΥΝΤΟΜΑ ΣΧΕΔΟΝ ΟΛΗ Η ΓΕΙΤΟΝΙΑ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΕΚΕΙ
ΠΑΝΑΗΣ
Ο Μακάριος δεν είναι νεκρός, ο Μακάριος ζει. Το πραξικόπημα οργανώνεται και διευθύνεται από Έλληνες αξιωματικούς της Χούντας. Συλλαμβάνουν αριστερούς – μέλη του ΑΚΕΛ και άλλους που αντιστέκονται.
ΛΟΥΚΑΣ
Πρέπει να ενημερώσουμε όλη την Λάρνακα και να υπερασπιστούμε το αστυνομικό σταθμό. Έχουμε κασέτα που μιλά ο Μακάριος από έναν ραδιοφωνικό σταθμό στην Πάφο.
Ολόκληρη η γειτονιά φαίνεται να έχει συγκεντρωθεί εκεί και όλοι ρωτούν τι συμβαίνει και ανταλλάσσουν πληροφορίες. Ο Άλεξ, ο καντηλανάφτης της εκκλησίας είναι επίσης εκεί, η γυναίκα του Μαρίνα πάει κοντά του κρατώντας το μωρό τους που είναι μονάχα δύο εβδομάδων και τους βλέπουμε να μιλούν.
Στη συνέχεια σταματούν οι καμπάνες και ακούγεται μια φωνή. Είναι η φωνή του Χάρη, σαράντα εννέα χρονών, γνωστός συνδικαλιστής στην ΠΕΟ (το αριστερό συνδικάτο), που γεννήθηκε και μεγάλωσε στον Άι Γιάννη.
ΧΑΡΗΣ
Ο Μακάριος είναι ζωντανός, μεταδίδει από την Πάφο! Δεν τον σκότωσαν! Ο Μακάριος μας καλεί να αντισταθούμε στο πραξικόπημα. Έχω μια κασέτα με ηχογράφηση με τα λόγια του. Πρέπει να οργανώσουμε διαδήλωση με αυτοκίνητα, φορτηγά και διπλοκάμπινα και να μεταδώσουμε τις ειδήσεις έτσι ώστε όλοι να το μάθουν! Είδει οργανώνουμε πομπή. Θέλουμε εθελοντές. Ζήτω Μακάριος! Ζήτω η δημοκρατία!
Το πλήθος πανηγυρίζει και επαναλαμβάνει τα συνθήματα.
Ο Χάρης κατεβαίνει από την καρέκλα που στεκόταν και ένας μεγάλος αριθμός τον περικυκλώνει, ενθουσιασμένοι και έτοιμοι. Ο ΚΟΚΟΣ, ένας νεαρός περίπου είκοσι χρονών, περπατά προς τον Χάρη, γυρίζει σε όλους και λέει.
ΚΟΚΟΣ
Ο στρατός και οι πραξικοπηματίες επιτίθενται στο αστυνομικό σταθμό. Η αστυνομικοί μέσα αμύνονται αλλά δεν θα αντέξουν πολύ χωρίς υποστήριξη. Πρέπει να στείλουμε κόσμο εκεί αμέσως, διαφορετικά η αστυνομία θα πέσει στα χέρια τους. Όσοι έχουν όπλα, να πάμε.
ΣΤΕΛΙΟΣ (Στο Ματθαίο)
Θα πάρω το όπλο σου και θα πάω μαζί τους.
ΜΑΤΘΑΙΟΣ
Έχουμε πολλές χαρτούτσιες. Πήγαινε αλλά να προσέχεις.
Πριν φύγει με τους άλλους, ο Στέλιος πηγαίνει στον Άλεξ και του σφίγγει το χέρι.
ΑΛΕΞ
Ο πάτερ μου είπε να μείνω εδώ να φροντίσω την εκκλησιά μην συμβεί τίποτα.
ΣΤΕΛΙΟΣ
Σίγουρα, να είσαι προσεκτικός, θα τα πούμε αργότερα.
ΑΛΕΞ
Και εσύ να προσέχεις.
Ξεκινά μια αυτοκίνητοπομπή με τρία φορτηγά και μερικά αυτοκίνητα σαλούν. Πολλοί πηδούν στο πίσω μέρος του φορτηγού, συμπεριλαμβανομένου του ΑΝΤΡΕΑ, ενός 14χρονου παιδιού. Καθώς ξεκινούν, μερικές γυναίκες φωνάζουν στο αγόρι.
ΘΕΟΔΟΥΛΑ
Εσύ κατέβα! Είσαι μικρός!
ΧΡΥΣΤΑΛΛΑ
Σταματάτε τον, είναι ακόμα κοπελλούδι!
Μίλησαν αργά όμως, η πομπή είχε φύγει
Μια ομάδα περίπου έξι ανδρών, συμπεριλαμβανομένου του Στέλιου, παίρνουν τα όπλα τους και φτάνουν στο αστυνομικό τμήμα, παίρνοντας τους πίσω δρόμους και σοκάκια για να μην τους δουν.
ΕΚΤΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΣΤΑΘΜΟΥ ΑΣΤΥΝΟΜΙΑΣ – ΛΙΓΟ ΜΕΤΑ
Καθώς πλησιάζουν το αστυνομικό τμήμα, ο Στέλιος τους σταματά. Όλοι μένουν σιωπηλοί καθώς βλέπουν στρατιώτες να συγκεντρώνονται στο μπροστινό μέρος του σταθμού. Προσεκτικά πηγαίνουν στο πίσω μέρος του αστυνομικού τμήματος και μπαίνουν από την πίσω είσοδο όπου τους συναντά ένας οπλισμένος αστυνομικός.
ΚεντρικόςαστυνομικόςσταθμόςΛάρνακας
ΑΣΤΥΝΟΜΙΚΟΣ
Αλτ! Ποιοι είστε;
ΣΤΕΛΙΟΣ
Ενισχύσεις! Δεν είμαστε με το πραξικοπηματίες!
Η ομάδα παρουσιάζεται στον υπεύθυνο της αστυνομίας.
ΣΤΕΛΙΟΣ
Ήρθαμε να βοηθήσουμε.
ΑΣΤΥΝΟΜΙΚΟΣ ΔΙΕΥΘΥΝΤΗΣ
Πόσοι?
ΣΤΕΛΙΟΣ
Έξι.
ΑΣΤΥΝΟΜΙΚΟΣ ΔΙΕΥΘΥΝΤΗΣ
Πάρτε θέσεις κοντά στο παράθυρο, αλλά κρατήστε τα κεφάλια σας χαμηλά. Κρύβονται πίσω από τα τζιπ τους και προσπαθούν να μας περικυκλώσουν.
INT: ΑΣΤΥΝΟΜΙΚΟΣ ΣΤΑΘΜΟΣ – ΠΡΩΤΟΣ ΟΡΟΦΟΣ
Όλοι παίρνουν θέσεις στον πρώτο όροφο και αρχίζουν να πυροβολούν με τα κυνηγετικά από τα παράθυρα στους στρατιώτες που ήταν στον κεντρικό δρόμο έξω με θωρακισμένα οχήματα και σύγχρονα αυτόματα όπλα.
Ξαφνικά ένας δυνατός ήχος μιας μοτοσικλέτας κάνουν όλους να στρέψουν την προσοχή τους προς την πίσω μεριά για να δουν τι συμβαίνει. Δύο νεαροί άνδρες εμφανίζονται πάνω σε μια μοτοσικλέτα στο πίσω μέρος της αστυνομίας. Τρέχουν με ελιγμούς για να αποφύγουν οποιαδήποτε πυρά. Καθώς πλησιάζουν, οι δύο τους πηδούν και τρέχουν προς την πόρτα ενώ η μοτοσικλέτα συνεχίζει και συντρίβεται στον τοίχο.
Είναι ο Σωτήρης και ο φίλος του ο Κώστας και οι δύο ηλικίας δεκαοκτώ ετών.
ΣΩΤΗΡΗΣ (Με άγρια μάτια και ενθουσιασμένος)
Δώσε μου ένα όπλο! Δώσε μου ένα όπλο! Δεν θα περάσουν, νο πασαράν!
ΜΑΡΙΝΟΣ
Αυτό πιστεύει ότι βρίσκεται στον ισπανικό εμφύλιο πόλεμο! Γεια σου καμαράτα! Δεν φέρατε καν όπλα!
Ο Στέλιος αναγνωρίζει τον Σωτήρη από τον Άι Γιάννη και τον υποδέχεται.
ΣΤΕΛΙΟΣ
Σωτήρη έχει ένα κυνηγετικό όπλο εκεί. Είσαι καλός κυνηγός αλλά σήμερα δεν κυνηγούμε λαγούς, γι ‘αυτό να κρατάτε το κεφάλι σας χαμηλά.
Η μάχη συνεχίζονται για άλλα δεκαπέντε λεπτά, αλλά τα πράγματα δεν πάνε καλά. Ένας αστυνομικός έρχεται στον επάνω όροφο για να τους μιλήσει.
ΑΣΤΥΝΟΜΙΚΟΣ
Ακούστε φίλοι, δεν μπορούμε να αντισταθούμε άλλο. Έχουμε πιστόλια και κυνηγετικά, αυτοί έχουν μοντέρνα όπλα και μάθαμε ότι θα φέρουν τανκ. Θα παραδοθούμε, εμείς είμαστε εντάξει, κάναμε το καθήκον μας, αλλά αν δουν πολίτες, θα σας εκτελέσουν αμέσως. Έχετε δέκα λεπτά να εξαφανίσετε. Κρύψτε τα όπλα σας και μην τους αφήσετε να σας πιάσουν οπλισμένους.
Ο Στέλιος και οι υπόλοιποι βγαίνουν από την πίσω πόρτα και με προσοχή πάνε προς το κέντρο της πόλης ακολουθώντας στενούς και έρημους δρόμους.
ΣΤΟΝ ΔΡΟΜΟ, ΛΙΓΟ ΑΡΓΟΤΕΡΑ:
ΣΩΤΗΡΗΣ
Στέλιο σχεδόν να έπαιζα ένα από τους αξιωματικούς, αλλά έκανε συνέχεια ελιγμούς και το όπλο μου ήταν χάλια στο σημάδι.
ΣΤΕΛΙΟΣ (Βάζει το χέρι του στον ώμο του Σωτήρη)
Δεν πειράζει, έχουν να γίνει πολλά ακόμα καμαράτ! (Ο Στέλιος χαμογελά)
(Στους υπόλοιπους) Ας πάμε να βρούμε την αυτοκινητοπομπή.
Η ομάδα των δέκα προχωρά προς στο κέντρο της πόλης. Ακολουθούν τον ήχο των μεγαφώνων και σύντομα συναντιούνται με τους υπόλοιπους.
Η συνοδεία αποτελείται από περίπου τρία έως τέσσερα φορτηγά και μερικά ιδιωτικά αυτοκίνητα. Μπροστά με τα πόδια και οδηγώντας τη συνοδεία, ο ΠΡΟΔΡΟΜΟΣ ΛΑΖΑΡΟΥ, με δύο ελληνικές σημαίες στα χέρια του και μαζί με τη μητέρα του ΚΥΡΙΑΚΟΥ καλούν τους πάντες να έρθουν να ενωθούν μαζί τους.
Τα δέκα άτομα από το αστυνομικό τμήμα ανεβαίνουν στο πίσω μέρος των φορτηγών. Η συνοδεία συνεχίζει για περίπου εκατό μέτρα ακόμα, περνά από τα γραφεία της ΑΛΚΗΣ και κατευθύνεται προς το κέντρο της πόλης. Σταματά λίγο πριν από το σταυροδρόμι Ακρόπολης που έχει γύρο του διαφορά στρατιωτικά φυλάκια
Ο Πρόδρομος, μεταφέροντας και κουνώντας τις δύο ελληνικές σημαίες, απευθύνεται στους στρατιώτες.
ΠΡΟΔΡΟΜΟΣ
Είμαστε και εμείς Έλληνες. Ο Μακάριος είναι ζωντανός! Οι αξιωματικοί σας λένε ψέματα! Θα περάσουμε. Αν θέλετε να μας πυροβολήσετε, θα πυροβολήσετε άοπλα αδέλφια σας, δεν είμαστε οπλισμένοι!
Στο πίσω μέρος των φορτηγών, μερικοί από τους πολίτες που έχουν πιστόλια ψιθύρισαν «κρύψε τα, κρύψε τα».
Η συνοδεία κινείται προς το κεντρικό σταυροδρόμι Ακρόπολη.
Ο Πρόδρομος οδηγεί τη συνοδεία με τα πόδια και όλοι κινούνται αργά. Ο Πρόδρομος με σημαίες υψωμένες, συνεχίζει να απευθύνεται προς στους στρατιώτες.
ΠΡΟΔΡΟΜΟΣ
Αδέλφια μην πυροβολήσετε! Είμαστε και εμείς Έλληνες. Ο Μακάριος είναι ζωντανός! Μην πιστεύετε τα ψέματά τους! Είμαστε άοπλοι.
Ανάμεσα στον στρατό, οι απλοί στρατιώτες είναι μπερδεμένοι και δεν είναι σίγουροι τι να κάνουν. Καθώς η συνοδεία προχωρά ένας Έλληνας αξιωματικός αρπάζει ένα τουφέκι από έναν στρατιώτη και πυροβολεί γρήγορα στον αέρα.
Όσοι στο πίσω μέρος του φορτηγού ακούνε τον πυροβολισμό και τρομάζουν. Ένας από αυτούς παίρνει ένα πιστόλι και πυροβολεί πίσω. Τότε όλοι αρχίζουν να πυροβολούν κατά βούληση.
Η συνοδεία χτυπιέται από τέσσερις διαφορετικές κατευθύνσεις: το στρατιωτικό φυλάκιο, από τις στέγες δύο πολυκατοικιών (πραξικοπηματίες ελεύθερους σκοπευτές) και από το σχολείο στη γωνία στο σταυροδρόμι.
Ο Στέλιος είναι με τον Σωτήρη στο φορτηγό, που βρίσκεται ακριβώς στη μέση. Το φορτηγό τους χτυπιέται άσχημα. Ο Στέλιος βλέπει κόσμο να πέφτει Το φορτηγό αναπτύσσει ταχύτητα και σταμάτα σε έναν ήσυχο δρόμο.
Κατεβαίνουν από το φορτηγό και συνειδητοποιούν ότι τέσσερις είναι νεκροί: Είναι ο ΑΧΙΛΛΕΑΣ ΚΟΥΡΤΕΛΗΣ 24 χρονών, ο ΓΙΩΡΓΟΣ ΧΑΤΖΙΣΤΕΦΑΝΗ 46 χρονών, ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΣ ΧΑΡΑΛΑΜΠΟΥΣ 17 χρονών, και ο ΑΝΤΡΕΑΣ ΘΕΟΔΟΣΙΟΥ, μόλις 14 χρονών. Άλλοι είναι τραυματισμένοι.
Τομνημείοτωντεσσάρωνπουπέθαναντο 1974
Το σύντομο ποίημα στο κάτω μέρος γράφει
ΔΙΑΒΑΤΗ ΔΩΣ ΤΟ ΜΗΝΥΜΑ
ΣΑΝ ΓΝΗΣΙΑ ΠΑΛΛΙΚΑΡΙΑ
ΓΙΑ ΤΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ ΕΠΕΣΑΜΕ
ΕΜΕΙΣ ΕΔΩ ΝΕΚΡΟΙ
ΣΤΕΛΙΟΣ (Στον Σωτήρη)
Το πουκάμισο και το παντελόνι σου είναι ματωμένα.! Σε πυροβολήσαν!
Ο Σωτήρης συνειδητοποιεί ότι πυροβολήθηκε και είναι σε σοκ.
Οι νεκροί και οι τραυματίες φορτώνονται από τη συνοδεία σε ένα κόκκινο αυτοκίνητο Χόντα με σπασμένα παράθυρα και ένα ξεφούσκωτο τροχό. Ξεκινά και αναπτύσσει ταχύτητα.
Ο Στέλιος και μερικοί άλλοι μπαίνουν σε ένα δεύτερο αυτοκίνητο γεμάτο με τρύπες από σφαίρες και ακολουθούν.
ΣΤΕΛΙΟΣ
Μα που πάνε; Το νοσοκομείο είναι στην αντίθετη κατεύθυνση!
ΟΔΗΓΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΧΟΝΤΑ
Δεν μπορούμε να πάμε στο νοσοκομείο… εκεί είναι κόλαση!
Τα δύο αυτοκίνητα πάνε σε ένα γραφείο ταξί περίπου 100 μέτρα από το αστυνομικό σταθμό και ζητούν βοήθεια.
ΟΔΗΓΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΧΟΝΤΑ
Έχω πληγωμένους ανθρώπους εδώ. Μερικοί είναι νεκροί!
ΣΤΕΛΙΟΣ
Είναι τραυματίες και πρέπει να πάνε νοσοκομείο.
ΟΔΗΓΟΣ ΤΑΞΙ
Δεν γίνετε τίποτα Έχουμε οικογένειες και αυτά τα ταξί είναι το μόνο εισοδήματος μας.
ΣΤΕΛΙΟΣ
Οι άνθρωποι θα πεθαίνουν! Δεν μπορούμε να τους εγκαταλείψουμε! Χρειάζονται γιατρό!
Ένας συνταξιούχος ΑΡΜΕΝΗΣ, εξήντα οκτώ χρονών, παλιός οδηγός ταξί, πάει κοντά τους. Πετάει το τσιγάρο του, βγάζει κλειδιά αυτοκινήτου από την τσέπη του και τους δείχνει το αυτοκίνητο του που είναι δίπλα σε μια πάροδο.
ΑΡΜΕΝΗΣ
Θα σας πάρω εγώ. Ξέρω πώς να φτάσω στο νοσοκομείο χωρίς να μας δει κανείς.
Ο Στέλιος βοηθάει και βάζουν όλους στο αυτοκίνητο του Αρμένη και μπαίνει και αυτός μέσα.
ΣΤΕΛΙΟΣ
Υπομονή Σωτήρη, θα λίγο θα είμαστε νοσοκομείο.
Απομακρύνονται
ΕΞΩ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΝΟΣΟΚΟΜΕΙΟ – ΛΙΓΟ ΑΡΓΟΤΕΡΟ
Φτάνουν στο νοσοκομείο. Οι παραστρατιωτικοί που είναι στο εκεί κοντεύουν το αυτοκίνητο με όπλα στο χέρι.
ΠΑΡΑΣΤΡΑΤΙΩΤΙΚΟΣ
Αυτοί είναι σκυλιά, κομουνιστές! Δεν αξίζει να ζουν! Πάρτε τους στο πλάι και καθαρίστε τους.
Ο Αρμένης βγαίνει από το αυτοκίνητο και στέκεται μπροστά για να προστατεύσει τους τραυματίες.
ΑΡΜΕΝΗΣ
Αυτοί είναι απλά διαδηλωτές. Δεν είχαν απολύτως καμία σχέση με τα γεγονότα στο αστυνομικό τμήμα.
ΠΑΡΑΣΤΡΑΤΙΩΤΙΚΟΣ
Φύγε από μπροστά μου γέρο.
ΑΡΜΕΝΗΣ
Θα πρέπει να με πυροβολήσεις πρώτα εμένα πριν αυτούς.
Εν τω μεταξύ, νοσοκόμες και άλλο προσωπικό του νοσοκομείου συγκεντρώνονται γύρω και αρχίζουν να εκφράζουν τη δυσαρέσκειά τους, αναγκάζοντας τους πραξικοπηματίες να τους αφήσουν το βοηθήσουν τους τραυματίες. Ο Στέλιος βοηθά να μεταφέρει τον Σωτήρη μέσα.
ΠΑΡΑΣΤΡΑΤΙΩΤΙΚΟΣ
Στον θάλαμο δεκατρία με τους υπόλοιπους. Κανείς να μην τους αγγίξει.
ΤοπαλιόγενικόνοσοκομείοΛάρνακας
ΕΣΩΤΕΡΙΚΟ ΝΟΣΟΚΟΜΕΙΟ – ΔΙΑΔΡΟΜΟΣ
Καθώς κινούνται στο διάδρομο προς το θάλαμο δεκατρία τους πλησιάζει μια νοσοκόμα, η ΜΑΡΙΑΝΝΑ, 41 χρονών, που τυχαίνει να είναι θεία του Σωτήρη.
ΜΑΡΙΑΝΝΑ (ψιθυριστά)
Σωτήρη πόσο άσχημα είσαι;
Βάζει επιδέσμους στην πληγή του.
ΜΑΡΙΑΝΝΑ
Στέλιο, πίεζε με τους επιδέσμους. Είναι πολύ επικίνδυνα εδώ. Έχεις σφαίρες;
ΣΩΤΗΡΗΣ
Ω θεία, μου έχουν μείνει λίγες σφαίρες, είναι στις τσέπες του παντελονιού μου.
Η Μαριάννα παίρνει τις σφαίρες και τις τυλίγει σε έναν επίδεσμο, τον οποίο στη συνέχεια βάζει σε έναν κάδο απορριμμάτων.
ΜΑΡΙΑΝΝΑ
Και εσύ Στέλιο! Αν βρουν κάτι πάνω σου θα σε σκοτώσουν.
ΣΤΕΛΙΟΣ
Είμαι καθαρός.
Φτάνουν στο θάλαμο δεκατρία. Υπάρχουν πολλοί εκεί ξαπλωμένοι σε κρεβάτια και εντελώς χωρίς επίβλεψη.
ΜΑΡΙΑΝΝΑ (ψιθυριστά)
Υπάρχουν αυστηρές οδηγίες να μην βοηθήσουμε κανέναν εδώ. Κάμετε υπομονή και θα δω τι μπορώ να κάνω όταν τα πράγματα ηρεμήσουν λίγο.
Καθώς η Μαριάννα βγαίνει, μπαίνει ένας γιατρός με χαμόγελο στο πρόσωπό. Ο ΛΟΪΖΟΣ, 45 χρονών, που κινητέ και συμπεριφέρεται σαν ναζί, είναι εμφανώς ευχαριστημένος με αυτά που συμβαίνουν και πλησιάζει τον Στέλιο και τον Σωτήρη.
ΛΟΪΖΟΣ
Τι έχουμε εδώ; Γιατί όλοι εσείς οι αριστεροί έχετε πόνο; Μήπως φάγατε φασόλια και έχετε πόνο στο στομάχι σήμερα;
ΝΟΣΟΚΟΜΕΙΟ – ΔΙΑΔΡΟΜΟΣ – Αργότερα
Η Μαριάννα προσεκτικά βγαίνει έξω από μια πόρτα. Βάζει κάτι στις τσέπες της που είναι γεμάτες με παυσίπονα και κατευθύνετε προς το θάλαμο δεκατρία.
ΘΑΛΑΜΟΣ ΔΕΚΑΤΡΙΑ
Η Μαριάννα πάει κατευθείαν στον Σωτήρη και του δίνει τα παυσίπονα.
ΜΑΡΙΑΝΝΑ
Πάρτα, γρήγορα!
Ο Στέλιος δίνει γρήγορα στον Σωτήρη λίγο νερό.
Μερικοί παραστρατιωτικοί μπαίνουν μέσα με επικεφαλή τον αξιωματικό από το αστυνομικό τμήμα που ο Σωτήρης προσπαθούσε να πυροβολήσει. Ο αξιωματικός τραβά το όπλο του και γυρίζει προς τον Σωτήρη.
Ο αξιωματικός πιέζει με το πιστόλι τον κρόταφο του Σωτήρη.
ΑΞΙΩΜΑΤΙΚΟΣ
Ομολόγησε σκυλί! Ήσουν εκεί στο αστυνομικό τμήμα! Σε είδα!
ΣΩΤΗΡΗΣ
Δεν ήμουν εγώ! Πληγώθηκα στην διαδήλωση.
ΑΞΙΩΜΑΤΙΚΟΣ
Μας πυροβολήσατε στην διαδήλωση!
ΣΩΤΗΡΗΣ
Όχι, όχι, κανένας δεν πυροβόλησε!
ΣΤΕΛΙΟΣ
Δεν έκανε τίποτα, δεν έκανε τίποτα!
ΠΑΡΑΣΤΡΑΤΙΩΤΙΚΟΣ Α
Εσύ σκάσε!
ΑΞΙΩΜΑΤΙΚΟΣ
Πες τις προσευχές σου.
Τράβηξε τη σκανδάλη και το όπλο κάνει κλικ. Το όπλο είναι άδειο, ήταν μια εικονική εκτέλεση. Οι πραξικοπηματίες αρχίζουν να γελούν.
INTERIOR HOUSE AT AYS GIANNIS KITCHEN MORNING 2009
Stella (15 years old) comes down to the kitchen for breakfast while looking at her mobile, receiving and sending text messages.
Her father Deme puts some clothes into the washing machine. His shirt is covered in bloodstains while her mum Frances is making tea and toast. Deme picks up the newspaper and starts reading. They look agitated and upset.
DEME
They’re all about peaceful demonstrators, including MPs and police officers attacked by communist radicals!
FRANCES
Has the media mentioned anything about the fascists knifing people and attacking anyone who looked foreign?
DEME
Of course not! They’re too busy interviewing right-wing libertarians denouncing the left as anarchists who don’t respect the rule of law and accusing us of starting a riot.
They sit and have breakfast without talking. Afterwards, Stella turns round to Deme and says
House at Ays Giannis
STELLA
Shall we make a start then dad? Have you got the recorder?
DEME
What for?
STELLA
You promised to tell me about your experience in Athens in the Summer of 1974. I need to write something for my school project.
DEME
Oh yes, that. Good idea, I need something to take my mind off yesterday’s events.
Stella goes upstairs to get the voice recorder and then sits down with her dad by a table in the inner courtyard under an umbrella. Potted plants surround them and the sun is strong. An upright fan blows refreshing air towards them. A tantalising jug of water, ice-cubes and slices of lemon and three glasses decorate the table.
STELLA
OK, let me press the start button… it’s on. Why don’t you start by telling me what you remember of the events leading up to the invasion and what happened afterwards?
DEME
I was a young naïve 18 year old travelling to Greece for the summer break. If I had any politics then it was liberalism, like anyone reasonably well off, my politics was live and let live and enjoy life, as far as I was concerned only boring people were interested in politics.
FADE TO BLACK:
EXT: KARPATHOS – EARLY JULY – 1974
DEME (VOICE OVER)
I was on holiday on the Greek island of Karpathos when the coup and invasion happened. I was with some friends. A young local, Stathis, came and spoke to me and told me about the coup in Cyprus.
INT: COFFEE SHOP – MORNING
The coffee shop is typically Greek, a single storey building, open windows and doors, a large room full of tables and chairs, everything painted white with framed photos of the military looking pompous. It is about 20 metres from the sea with a large patio shaded by a grapevine.
Deme, eighteen, is having breakfast with his friends.
STATHIS
Hey Demetris, you’re from Cyprus aren’t you? I just heard the news on the radio! There was a coup there at dawn, have you heard?
DEME
What? What are you saying? What happened?
STATHIS
The army led by Greek officers are taking over but there is some resistance. They announced that Makarios is dead but other reports say the old fox slipped through their hands. No one really knows what’s happening exactly.
DEME
I must contact my family! Where can I get hold of a phone?
STATHIS
Forget it! All lines are blocked. There’s no way you can make a call.
DEME (looking anxious)
I must get in touch with my family and find out how they are!
STATHIS
Your best bet would be the post office where the telephone exchange is. Kyria Eleni is a good woman and sympathetic to us- she’s in charge and will try her best. Come with me!
They leave Alan and the others behind and make their way to the post office.
INT – POST OFFICE – SAME
A large sparse but clean room with a desk and a telephone exchange operated single-handedly by a woman. She is not very busy and recognises and greets Stathis as he and Deme enter.
STATHIS
Kyria Eleni, this is young Demetris from Cyprus. He wants to ring his family there and find out what’s happening. Is it possible?
ELENI
I’m really sorry but all the lines are down. These bastards do the same thing each time they try and take over! In April ‘67 no one could ring Athens when the Colonels took over and again last November with the Polytechnic, when they killed all those young students. Now with Cyprus, they’re controlling all the lines.
DEME
But I must get in touch somehow! Who knows what’s happening to them!
ELENI
I’m very sorry young man but there’s nothing I can do. It’s not in my power.
DEME
Then I must make my way back to London.
ELENI
The quickest way is to get the next ferry to Athens, there’ s one arriving tomorrow first thing in the morning… go and buy a ticket and pack.
EXT: BOAT – EVENING
A large ferryboat carrying passengers from Athens to Santorini, Crete, Karpathos, Rhodes and then back to Athens waits in the port.
It is spacious and comfortable with plenty of seats for the passengers, two bar areas, a canteen and a dance floor with a stage for evening entertainment. It’s well maintained and the crew are well trained and helpful.
DEME (VO)
On the boat I came across a group of Cypriot students and tourists making their way to Athens for the same reasons. That evening we sat on the deck of the ferry and had a heated discussion. I was on the edge, listening, as politics was new to me.
LUCAS, mid 50’s, is in full flow. Among the listeners are KYRIAKOS and his girlfriend ANDROULLA, both students in their early 20’s, NICOS in his 50’s, friend of Lucas, dark-haired and short beard. KYRIA MAROULA, in her mid 70’s dressed in black holding a rosary with tearful eyes, MARIANNA in her 30’s, well dressed and well educated, speaks in a slow, assured voice.
LUCAS
It’s all Makarios’ fault! He lost his way and decided he didn’t want Enosis anymore! He got a taste of being president and the privileges that go with that; he abandoned Enosis completely.
KYRIAKOS
Rubbish! How can you support those who took up arms in order to destroy democracy? Killing people because they don’t agree with you politically and imposing military rule is no way to run a civilised country.
ANDROULLA
Careful what you say Kyriako, you don’t know who’s listening!
KYRIAKOS
I’ve said my piece. If it’s illegal to speak in support of your legally elected president, so be it.
NICOS
Cyprus is Greek! It’s always been Greek. The only thing stopping us was the strong Empires like the Ottomans and the British but throughout the centuries Cyprus has always been Greek. We gave the world philosophy, drama and civilisation for God’s sake! All we ask is that we’re left alone so that all Greeks can live united in one country as one nation.
KYRIA MAROULA
Makarios is a saint, God bless him. How dare you say a bad word against him! He saved us from the English and is a godly, holy man, leading us like a shepherd in government and the church.
MARIANNA
The whole thing is a CIA plot! They control everything! They imposed the Junta in Greece and are behind the ousting of Makarios in Cyprus too. If I had Kissinger in front of me, I would spit in his face.
ANDROULLA – (sarcastically)
Blaming everything on the Americans is easy, everyone else is innocent and none of this is our fault. It’s the CIA and there’s nothing we can do, we must go home and accept our bad luck as victims of the evil American imperialists!
NICOS
You don’t know what you’re talking about! Of course it’s the Americans. They’re behind everything in the Middle East, with their friends in Israel, nothing happens without their say so.
KYRIA MAROULA
Nasty Americans and that Kissinger is such an evil person. Just because our Makarios upset them! Look what they did to us!
INT. COURTYARD HOUSE IN AYS GIANNIS
DEME (to Stella)
I’d never heard people talk with such passion and conviction before. The discussion went on for hours and got very heated… it almost came to blows. Later that night I ended up talking to Kyriako and Androulla. We found a quiet spot in the bar, bought some beers and continued the conversation. What they had to say was interesting and once they realised I was genuine and was not a police spy, they opened up.
INT: BAR FERRY – EVENING – 1974
Deme has a beer with Kyriako and Androulla.
KYRIAKOS
I had to bite my tongue earlier. You never know who’s listening. We are AKEL members but think our leadership got things wrong and serious mistakes were made.
DEME
My dad and brother Stelio are in AKEL.
Kyriakos and Androulla nod.
KYRIAKOS
It’s like in Chile when Salvador Allende refused to arm the people and he and millions of his supporters paid for it with their lives
ANDROULLA
And are still paying for it, living under a dictatorship.
KYRIAKOS
We knew the coup was very likely so perhaps AKEL should have been better prepared. This failure is a major and costly mistake. Unfortunately, we relied on Makarios too much.
DEME
What about imperialism? Everyone knows the Americans didn’t like Makarios. They called him the Castro of the Mediterranean. Now the Americans control Greece AND Cyprus. And the English sowing the seeds of division, playing Turks against Greeks, you know, divide and rule.
KYRIAKOS
For someone who claims to be non-political, this observation is very sophisticated, but things are not as simple as that.
ANDROULLA
Sure Makarios was a thorn in the side of the Americans, being one of the leaders of the Non-aligned countries…
KYRIAKOS
…. Nasser, Indira Ghandi, Tito of Yugoslavia and Castro.
ANDROULLA
They hated that movement while the Cold War was going on and therefore were happy to see the end of Makarios.
DEME
Exactly the point I’m trying to make.
ANDROULLA
But you forget, Turkey is also part of the equation. We saw Turkey ready to invade in ‘64 and ’67. The Americans held them back with difficulty, yet they still flew warplanes over and bombed us then.
DEME
Do you think Turkey will invade?
KYRIAKOS
Now no one knows what‘s going to happen. If Turkey invades this time and Greece goes to war, it’s the last thing the Americans want to see happen. Two NATO member countries, going to war in such a sensitive region the Middle East. It’s an outcome that horrifies the Americans.
ANDROULLA
I think the CIA had very little to do with the coup in Cyprus and are now very busy carrying out damage limitation.
KYRIAKOS
As for the British divide and rule tactic, sure this is what they do. But think, this is not the only seed sown in Cyprus. Why this seed should take hold and grow but not democracy and workers’ solidarity?
DEME
But behind the coup is Greek officers, behind them is the Greek Junta and behind them the Americans.
KYRIAKOS
By talking about the ‘bad Americans’ and the ‘bad British’ we fail to see the bad Cypriots, the politicians who failed to act or who acted the wrong way for their own interests.
DEME
What do you mean?
ANDROULLA
Attacking Imperialism sounds left but it hides the mistakes and crimes committed by the Cypriot elite, the rich, the nationalists and those in charge of the government. If we blame the Americans, there is not much we can do about it and it lets our lot off the hook.
KYRIAKOS
And another thing, it allows the mistakes made by the left to be overlooked. If we blame the Americans and the British we’re not asking why our party, the party of the Cypriot working class, has supported ENOSIS for so many years?
CUT TO:
INT: COURTYARD – 2009
STELLA (to Deme)
Hang on I’m getting confused. When did all this take place?
DEME
The coup took place on the 15th July 1974. I got the news the same day but had to wait a day for the next ferry to Piraeus.
STELLA
Where’s that dad?
DEME
It’s the port of Athens. The boat stopped in Rhodes for a day or two to drop off and pick up more passengers and unload goods. When I finally got to the port of Piraeus …
Not sure. I’ll try to make contact with my family and make my way back to London. What about you two?
ANDROULLA
We’ll stay here and see how things go. We know Athens well so we’ll try and get work. If things go well, we’ll make our way back to Cyprus.
KYRIAKOS
We’ll stay with Androulla’s cousins for the time being. Here’s the address and telephone number.
Kyriakos hands Deme a piece of paper with their details.
DEME
Thanks. I’m thinking of going to the Cyprus Embassy tomorrow to see if I can ring from there. I’m bound to get some news either way. Why don’t we meet there, say about 3pm?
Both Kyriakos and Androulla laugh.
KYRIAKOS
I don’t think we’ll be very welcome there, they know who we are! Let’s meet the day after tomorrow in the Cypriot café in Omonia Square. Everyone knows it. Come and join us about 3pm.
DEME
Sure, Cypriot café, Omonia Square. See you then.
They shake hands and leave. As Deme walks from the port towards the main road, there is a huge commotion.
People are talking in an agitated manner and gesturing, their faces reveal they are worried. Deme approaches a tall, thin man in his late 40’s/early 50’s; he’s standing alone, staring anxiously into the distance.
DEME
Excuse me sir, what’s happening?
TALL MAN (in a rude manner)
Where have you been young man? Everyone knows. It’s been in the news non-stop all day. Turkey invaded Cyprus.
Deme tries to take it all in, his mind spins, he feels faint and sick at the same time. He cannot comprehend it and all he can say is ….
DEME
What? Invaded? When? Why? I don’t feel well.
TALL MAN
Take it easy young man. Take a deep breath. Are you a Cypriot?
DEME
Yes.
As Deme says yes, he starts to run like a madman towards the exit and the main road. He wants to get on with it. He doesn’t know what he wants to get on with but whatever it is there is no time to waste.
INT: HOUSE – NIGHT – 2009
STELLA
What happened in Athens?
DEME
Confusion, great confusion! I was only 18 then and had no politics to rely on. I didn’t know what to think. Once in Athens I changed my return ticket to London but still had a few days to kill. I made my way to the Cyprus Embassy and called Kyriakos and confirmed the meeting with him and Androulla the next day.
CUT TO:
EXT. EMBASSY BUILDING – EARLY AFTERNOON
Deme stands outside the embassy surrounded by about 50 Cypriots, mainly students: Nicolas and Marios both young students; Vasos a middle age man with his wife Margarita among others.
They were all there, like Deme, trying to get the latest news. They talked among themselves in an urgent and agitated manner. A lot of rumours were circulating.
NICOLAS
We captured twenty-five thousand Turkish prisoners and shot down 25 planes!
DEME
How many?
MARIOS
Look, someone’s coming out!
An embassy official descends the front stairs of the Embassy. He has a map of Cyprus in his hands with various coloured lines drawn, showing the section between Kyrenia and Nicosia as their initial bridgehead, occupied by the Turkish army,
OFFICIAL
This is what the Turks managed to get, a small strip between Kyrenia and Nicosia. They have a bridgehead and are uploading supplies. At the moment there is a truce but the Turks are simply getting ready for the next stage and we are busy laying down mines.
In J uly 22 1974 he Turkish army established a small bridgehead
MARIOS
Can we go in and use your phones and talk to our families.
OFFICIAL
That’s not possible. All lines are cut except for the one reserved for the Ambassador for strictly official government business.
NICOLAS
That’s bullshit man. Our family members are dying there and you won’t even let us talk to them. It’s not going to cost you anything to let us make one lousy phone call.
OFFICIAL
Who the hell do you think you are talking to me like this? We all have families, we all care! I told you already there is only one line and that is constantly in use for official business.
NICOLAS
You just don’t care. We’re all worried sick here and you won’t let us get any news!
OFFICIAL
I’ve just about had enough of you. If you don’t like it, get lost. We are in a war situation and there are more important things to do than chat with family members.
Nicolas goes quiet but it’s obvious he is still angry, others share his frustration.
MARIOS
Is it true we captured thousands of prisoners and shot down many of their planes?
OFFICIAL
We captured 25 thousand prisoners, mainly in Limassol and shot down over 20 warplanes. At the moment we need blood for the war. We’ve organised coaches to take people to the nearest hospital. You should all go!
VASOS
How do we know this blood will go to Cyprus and not be given to the Greek army.
MARGARITA
Don’t be stupid, it makes no difference, it’s all one army, we’re fighting one enemy.
CUT TO:
INT: HOUSE – NIGHT – 2009
Deme talking to Stella pauses to take a sip of coffee
DEME
The coach came and we all went to the nearest hospital and gave blood; I felt that under the circumstances it was the least I could do. I felt so impotent, useless, confused and angry and a few more emotions all at the same time!
CUT TO:
EXT. HOSPITAL – 1974 LATER THAT DAY
Deme, with a group of other Cypriots, leaves the hospital and as they walk, they enter a shop where the TV is broadcasting news. Thanasis orders everyone a drink as they watch attentively.
T.V screen shows footage of unfolding events.
THANASIS
Wow, 25 000 prisoners! We must be doing very well and all those planes shot down!
NICOLAS
You know why that is? It’s all the hunting we do! We’re all top marksmen in Cyprus!
DEME
Sorry guys but I feel a bit faint, probably giving all that blood. I need to go and rest. See you and hope things turn out OK for you and your relatives.
Deme leaves the group and walks into the streets of Athens. He takes some deep breaths and fills his lungs, as he smells the evening air. He is trying to get things straight in his head and make sense of the events unfolding in Cyprus.
Deme (VO)
I felt fine but somehow all the news was the same, full of unrealistic optimism and ‘good news’. I was fed up with all the hype. Something didn’t feel quite right.
CUT TO:
INT: COURTYARD – AFTERNOON – 2009
DEME
What we didn’t know then was that those twenty-five thousand prisoners were Turkish Cypriot civilians not Turkish soldiers! They went round all the villages and arrested every man, woman and child. Some unarmed civilians from Tochni and other villages were massacred by Greek Cypriot fascists in cold blood.
Stella listens intently.
STELLA
Hang on a minute; let’s go back a bit. How did you end up in Greece in the first place?
DEME
I was visiting a good friend of mine who was from Athens. His name was Patroklos but we had a falling out and I decided to go and visit a few islands. When I got back to Athens, I visited Patroklos as I hoped being local he would know more about what was happening.
CUT TO:
INT: PATROKLOS HOUSE – DAY
Patroklos opens the door. The house is situated in a middle class area of Athens; it’s luxurious and well decorated. His parents are separated and he lives with his mother, two brothers and younger sister.
His mother’s parents also live in the same house. When Deme arrives, Patroklos’ two aunts are also present. They are all talking with raised voices, the way Greeks normally talk to each other.
PATROKLOS
Oh hi Demetris! How are you? Come in! Come in! We’re all here talking about Cyprus.
DEME
Sorry about before.
PATROKLOS
…. Don’t be silly man, come on in, and tell us what you know! It’s all hell out there and very little information. We’re all glued to the news on the radio and TV. What can you tell us?
DEME
It’s been hell these last few days. I’ve been trying to find out what’s going on in Cyprus but I have absolutely no news about my family.
PATROKLOS
Come in! We’re all here watching the latest news.
Everyone, Demetris is here!
INT: LIVING ROOM – SAME
The living room is full of Patroklos’ family, who are quiet and wait anxiously as the television broadcasts the latest news. Deme enters the living room and is greeted by everyone.
PATROKLOS’ MOTHER
Welcome Demitri, take a seat over there. It’s 1940 all over again. Our heroic young men are mobilising and some already fighting the Turks.
PATROKLOS’ BROTHER (about 15 years old)
I wish I were older so I could join and fight for my country. It’s time to give the Turks a good hiding.
PATROKLOS’ GRANDMOTHER
We’re doing well, already shot down 23 warplanes and have 25,000 prisoners. This is what I call our boys making a good start.
The grandfather is attentive and has a bright face. Listening to the others, he gets angry and finally, not being able to contain himself any longer, he bursts out.
GRANDFATHER
What the hell do you all think? Greece hasn’t sent any troops to Cyprus yet! The Cypriots are fighting the war on their own! Sure, they mobilised the army up in Thrace by the Turkish border and maybe sent supplies to Cyprus, but that’s all! So far, the Cypriots are doing all the fighting!
INT: COURTYARD – 2009
DEME
The penny dropped for all of us. Despite all the news about heroic fighting, nothing was mentioned about any significant numbers of Greek troops either going to Cyprus or doing any fighting.
Stella sits back on her chair and runs her hands through her hair and looks at her mobile.
STELLA
Sorry dad, I need another break….. I need to take this call…
DEME
Sure, I need a break too.
Deme gets up and makes himself a coffee. While he waits, he turns the TV on and catches the news as Epiphanios’ face appears.
T.V NEWS READER
And now we turn back to events in Larnaca that took place yesterday in Phinikoudes. We have a report from our special correspondent Petros Papasavva. Petro good afternoon, what is happening over there in Larnaca?
PETROS
A peaceful demonstration was violently attacked as it marched in support of the rights for local people. I have with me one of the organisers, Chair of the Committee for the missing and local MP Epiphanios Karagyannis. Mr Karagyannis please tell our audience what happened here yesterday.
EPIPHANIOS
It was an outrageous riot that’s what happened. These extreme lefties and anarchists do not respect the rule of law. We were on a peaceful march to claim Cyprus back for the Cypriot people and those thugs tried to block our way. I call upon the police to severely punish those arrested, the organisers and anyone connected with these violent events. The whole concept of democracy and the rule of law is at stake. I demand…
While Epiphanios is in full flow with his index finger pointing in an aggressive, accusative manner, Deme grabs the remote and switches the TV off, but not before he has thrown his coffee at Epiphanios’ face.
We see his face strained as the screen is switched off. This is witnessed by both Frances and Stella, as they come downstairs; Stella bursts out laughing.
Rainbow Festival Larnaca
FRANCES
I told you before not to do that! Honestly, how many times? Just don’t watch the news if it upsets you so much. Why don’t you carry on and finish the interview? It would be nice to go out for a walk later, get some fresh air.
DEME
This guy is so nasty and vicious! What a bloody mess. Come Stella, let’s carry on and STOP giggling!
Stella and Deme resume and Stella turns the recorder on once more.
STELLA
How long did this all take?
DEME
Well it was five days from the coup to the invasion and then of course what happened next shocked us all. Two days later I was still trying to get a ticket back to London, it was a hot day and that evening I arranged to meet up with Kyriakos and Androulla in a café, with their friend Nicki. We met outside.
EXT: ATHENS – CAFÉ – DAY – 1974
DEME (VO)
There was a newsagent kiosk nearby and they were reading the newspaper headlines hanging on a piece of string like clothes drying on the line; everyone did this! Everyone was glued to whatever news they could find. There were no mobiles in those days. Kyriakos, Androulla and Nicki were cheerful though I did not understand why.
It’s about six in the evening, but still sunny and hot.
The coffee shop is typical of the hundreds that exist in Athens with a spacious interior, lots of windows but practically empty, as everyone is sitting outside.
A large area outside is full of small, white tables each with four white chairs. There are pots of flowers everywhere, while a large vine provides the canopy offering shade from a hot searing sun.
As soon as Deme, Kyriakos, Androulla and Nicki sit down, a waiter leaves a large jug of water with three glasses. They each order a coffee, which soon arrives.
KYRIAKOS
Yeia sou Demetris! How have you been? This is my friend Nicky. We have some good news, finally!
Deme and Nicki acknowledge each other.
DEME
Oh, what is it?
ANDROULLA
Haven’t you heard? The Greek army is mobilising in the North by the Turkish border and is marching down South to Athens.
DEME
But why?
KYRIAKOS
I’m not sure but there are rumours that when the Greek army mobilised by the river Evros on the Turkish border and opened their supplies, instead of weapons they found the boxes full of stones!
DEME
What!
KYRIAKOS
The colonels, these super patriots, must have sold the weapons and lined their own pockets. The Greek army is in no way prepared for this war.
DEME
It’s a fucking disaster! It’s going to be a massacre. We’re just half a million people and Turkey is several million!
ANDROULLA
According to the newspapers, the Greek general in charge of the Evros army is marching to Athens in order to confront the Colonels.
KYRIAKOS
Their credibility is less than zero.
ANDROULLA
After the Polytechnic atrocities it was obvious the Greek people didn’t want them anymore and are now shown to be nothing but money grabbing gangsters.
DEME
So what! Turkey is still invading Cyprus and now that the Greek army is looking inwards, there’s nothing to stop them from doing whatever they want and taking over in Cyprus.
ANDROULLA
What’s happening in Cyprus is a disaster. However, the events in Greece may change everything. The Junta might not survive, if democracy is restored. This will change everything, even in Cyprus.
KYRIAKOS
Oh by the way did you hear, it was in the news, Zardides made a statement, he is the leader of PEO (Cyprus Left Trade Union Federation), you know who he is don’t you?
DEME
Sure I do, my mum and his wife are first cousins! What did he say?
KYRIAKOS
Well, he criticises the fascists for destroying ENOSIS. Imagine, in these horrible times when the right is completely discredited, here comes Zardides to criticise them NOT from the left but from the RIGHT.
Without realising it, Kyriakos raises his voice, full of excitement. At that moment Androulla notices two policemen looking over towards them.
ANDROULLA
Kyriako, keep your voice down, mpatsi (the police). I think they overheard you. Drink your coffee.
They all keep quiet, drink their coffee nervously as they watch the police sideways. However, nothing happens. After a few tense moments, the police seem a bit undecided, look at each other and move on. They all sigh with relief.
ANDROULLA
Well this is a first.
KYRIAKOS
I’m telling you things are changing. A week ago we would all be arrested and handcuffed and on our way to the nearest police station being spat on, slapped and kicked. Believe me I speak from experience.
ANDROULLA
He’s not exaggerating Demetri. The only reason he’s out is because Kyriakos has good connections in Cyprus. What just happened has never happened before.
DEME
I don’t know about you but I think we should celebrate. I’m hungry and I noticed they serve kolokasi here. I haven’t had it for ages and with some nice wine to wash everything down it would do the trick. Food and drink, what do you think? The works!
KYRIAKOS
Why not? Let’s drink to the future. We are the future! Raise your glasses! Sto mellon! Segiea! (to the future and to our health).
DEME (VO)
We stayed till late, talking and drinking. I finally made my way back to the hostel where I was staying, half drunk.
INT: HOSTEL – DUSK
DEME (VO)
I didn’t do much the next morning, got up late, had breakfast and went back for a siesta. To my annoyance I was awoken by a lot of noise outside, a lot more than usual. Church bells were ringing and cars blowing their horns. Once fully awake, I realised that something serious was going on. I looked outside the window and then went out into the street where crowds were gathering….
The streets of Central Athens are teaming with people and they all seem to be heading the same way, towards Syntagma Square.
Peoples’ faces are lit up and many are smiling, some are talking to each other with excitement while others concentrate on getting to their destination and simply hurry to get there.
Deme is rather confused but joins the crowd and walks in the same direction as everyone else.
EXT: ATHENS – STREET
DEME (VO)
Still half dazed, trying to make sense of it all, I managed to follow the crowds and ended up in Syntagma Square. Everyone was excited. Loudspeakers were blaring out Theodorakis’ music. I searched for Kyriakos and Androulla and after a few minutes I spotted them and made my way through the crowd towards them.
The people there were delirious with joy when they found out the Greek Junta had fallen.
Kyriakos grabs Deme by the shoulders. He is very exited and smiling.
KYRIAKOS
They’re finally gone! The plague has lifted! We’re free! We’re expecting the return of Karamanlis and Theodorakis any moment; they’ve been exiled in Paris for seven years!
Deme turns and notices Androulla hugging a woman who is sobbing while everyone else is happy. She is in her early 20’s, dressed like a student and intelligent looking.
DEME
Who’s that woman with Androulla?
KYRIAKOS
That’s Angeliki, a good friend and comrade. She was involved in the Polytechnic last November. When the tanks rolled in, she managed to get out but two close friends never made it.
Deme is caught up in the moment, the mixture of the huge events unfolding in front of him and the sight of a lovely young woman crying next to him create strange and emotional feelings for him.
He approaches Angeliki.
DEME
Yeia sou Angeliki, do you know what’s happening?
ANGELIKI
They’re gone, the Colonels are finally gone! Karamanlis is on his way back from Paris and will take over and form a new civilian government. The Junta is over after seven long years! The sickness we suffered for so long is at last over.
Her face lights up as she speaks and her black eyes shine.
DEME
What about the war in Cyprus? What will happen there now?
ANGELIKI
If Cyprus is to have any chance, this is it.
Crowds were cheering throughout all this while Theodorakis music was blaring out via the PA system.
ANGELIKI
I tell you it was hell for seven years. We had no freedom, had to watch what we said, no strikes, wages plummeted, thousands emigrated. My brother and cousin were arrested just for talking and they were beaten like dogs. They spent months in prison and couldn’t get jobs afterwards. In the end they too got on an express train to Germany. Now we can start breathing again. Listen to this music; it was illegal for seven years. How great it sounds now, the best music ever! Nothing can top this!
DEME
What about Cyprus?
ANGELIKI
You’re Cypriot aren’t you? Like Kyriakos and Androulla, I have many Cypriot friends. Hey everyone, we have a Cypriot over here!
Everyone gathers round Deme, pick him up and raise him up on their shoulders, cheering. When he is put down, Kyriakos, Androulla, Angeliki and some others start a silly dance.
Deme is confused but soon gets into the spirit of things and dances with them. As they dance, laugh, hug and kiss each other, they spin round and let out wild cheers. After a few minutes Kyriakos stops and makes a suggestion.
KYRIAKOS
Hey everyone, I think there are enough people here to welcome Karamanlis. There must be hundreds of thousands already! No one will miss us. Why don’t we make our way to the Polytechnic and pay tribute to our fallen comrades.
ANGELIKI & ANDROULLA
Great! Come, let’s go, let’s go now.
DEME
Sure, let’s go.
DEME (VO)
We made our way to the Polytechnic; the streets were full of people. This wasn’t a day for anyone to stay indoors, Greece was ours.
Most people are moving towards Syntagma Square and progress is slow. As they near the Polytechnic they see hundreds, maybe thousands already there. The group joins the masses as they walk passed the damaged iron gates.
EXT. ATHENS POLYTECHNIC – SAME
DEME (VO)
I’d heard about the Polytechnic but didn’t know any of the details. My companions knew and for them it was enough to just stand there in silence and let their memories carry them back to the events that had unfolded there only a few months earlier on that fateful day, 17th November the previous year.
DEME
Were you all here? What happened?
ANGELIKI
It was a festival! At the Polytechnic we found peace, freedom and sanctuary for a few days. There was so much potential, we thought this was the end. We managed to broadcast outside, set up our own radio station and talk to the people of Athens and the whole of Greece.
ADROULLA
Angeliki was one of the broadcasters.
ANGELIKI
Ordinary people responded and they came. Sure, we were surrounded by the army and the pigs but somehow nothing could stop people making contact, bringing us food, drinks and cigarettes. They would throw things over the police cordon
ANDROULLA
Or find a gap and come up to the iron fence and pass things through the railings…
KYRIAKOS
… or some back window no-one knew existed.
ANGELIKI
We realised that the junta had lost its support, the ‘Emperor has no clothes’ moment and they knew it. It terrified them but more importantly, we knew it. I was here with my boyfriend Andreas and many friends. We were all convinced that the end of the Colonels had finally come.
Athens Polytechnic November 1973
DEME
So what happened?
At that moment someone starts singing the Internationale and many soon join in.
ANGELIKI
The bastards reacted the only way they knew how. They brought in tanks and on the 17th they smashed their way in. We were right there by the gate. Andreas didn’t make it. He was crushed by the tank.
DEME
I’m really sorry!
ANGELIKI
Many who were injured were killed on the way to hospital. We found out that police, dressed as doctors, went into the ambulances and killed them. Hundreds more were arrested and viciously beaten.
DEME
And what happened to you?
Some are gathered round Angeliki, hanging on her every word.
ANGLELIKI
I was lucky. As they broke through there was mayhem and confusion. I couldn’t see clearly what was going on as there were so many people rushing around. I was trying to decide whether to stay and fight but we had nothing and they were armed to the teeth. I didn’t know what to do, suddenly a hand grabbed mine and pulled me along. I turned around and saw Anastasia, an experienced friend. She got us to safety. If it wasn’t for her…
Angeliki’s eyes well up with tears. Deme hugs her and she turned and kissed him on the cheek.
ANGELIKI
You look so like Andreas.
Deme (VO)
That evening we didn’t sleep, we walked and talked to anyone, strangers, it didn’t matter. In the morning we ended up at Angeliki’s. We collapsed on the sofa together.
CUT TO:
INT: CYPRUS – HOUSE – 2009
Deme and Stella sit round the table filled with Stella’s notes.
STELLA
Did you and Angeliki….. you know….. Did you become an item?
DEME
We remained friends and kept in contact for years. She even came and visited me in London. But Greece under Karamanlis failed to deliver. Angeliki had relatives and moved to Australia. We lost contact.
STELLA
What about Kyriako and Androulla?
DEME
They moved back to Cyprus and remained in AKEL for a few more years. I see them now and then when in Cyprus.
STELLA
And what about you, what happened then?
DEME
Once back in London, I got news about Stelios missing in action. Soon after, your aunt Areti joined me. She was only 15 then, mum followed a few weeks later and a month or two later my dad, having given up hope of finding any more news of Stelios.
STELLA
Oh I never really understood that’s what happened.
DEME
It was then I realised ‘You can ignore politics but politics will never ignore you’.
STELLA
Thanks dad.
Stella presses the off button on the tape recorder.
FRANCES
How about treating ourselves to a nice meal.
STELLA
Oh yes, I fancy some calamari. Let’s go to Zephyros, it’s the best fish restaurant ever.
Alright, I’ll carry on with the list. Let me know as soon as you find out about the venue. I’ll wait for your phone call.
The group of kids rush into the sea.
DEME
There’s something I have to do first
Phinicoudes Larnaca
EXTERIOR: HOUSE – AFTERNOON
Deme knocks on a door. THEODOSIS, 78 years old, opens the door. He stares at Deme for a moment, then recognition comes.
THEODOSIS
Oh Demetraki, yeia sou! How’s the family? How nice to see you again.
They shake hands and Theodosis invites Deme in.
He turns round and shouts to his wife in the kitchen.
THEODOSIS
Loukia, we have a guest! Demetrakis is here! Get us some coffees and some glyco. (Caramelised fruit).
Turning back to Deme.
THEODOSIS
Come in! Come in! The match is almost over. Go and talk to Loukia for a few minutes. AEK is playing and the game can go either way!
Deme enters and walks straight to the kitchen where he greets KYRIA LOUKIA, Theodosis’ wife, 74 years old, who chats incessantly.
LOUKIA
Oh Demetraki mou! (She kisses and hugs him warmly)
He’s always watching these football matches! Ever since he retired he’s either at the club or watching it on TV. Leonidas was here the other day; he’s deputy head teacher now and is very busy. He visits us after work sometimes before going home. We see Yiannos now and then as he’s living in Nicosia but his wife isn’t very well. Fortunately, Maria lives round the corner and has settled down with a very nice man, good as gold. How’s your family, Frances and Stella?
Deme sits down at the kitchen table.
DEME
We’re all well considering. Thank you for your support during the funeral.
LOUKIA
Stelios was like a son. Your family and ours were like one family. I remember when Theodosis was on strike at the bank and I went to see your dad. I said ‘Kyrie Matheo we cannot do any shopping next week and we have to cut back on our spending.’ Well you know the next day your dad came round with bags full of food because he knew what we bought and he said ‘This is my contribution to the strike. You’ll get this every week while the strike continues’. Here’s the coffee. Take it in otherwise he’ll be screaming for it. The glyco is watermelon. I hope you like it!
Theodosis calls out to Deme from the front room.
THEODOSIS
Demetraki come quickly! See what’s on the news!
INT: HOUSE – FRONT ROOM – SAME
Deme walks into the front room with the coffee as Theodosis is pointing at the TV.
THEODOSIS
It’s this nasty politician criticising this bi-communal event.
DEME
What’s he saying?
Peter (a journalist) is interviewing Epiphanios Karagyannis MP.
EPIPHANIOS
This, like every July, is the anniversary where we condemn the barbaric Turkish invasion. They took our land and killed our heroic boys, and then they brought in settlers to change the demographics of the island. Having an event that ignores these realities dismisses the suffering and loss of the invasion and is an insult to all genuine patriots. The government and the Nicosia municipality should not allow it to take place. Patriots should organise and stop it.
Theodosis turns the TV off
THEODOSIS
I really hate that guy.
DEME
The events about the two communities coming together and healing the wounds. Right wing nationalists like Karagyannis want to leave these wounds open to fester.
THEODOSIS
It was …decided to clear a minefield from near the border but before it was made official, he bought it for a pittance and made a fortune! The owner, who had lost the use of his land all these years due to the mines, was left with nothing but loose change.
DEME
Surely this is illegal, how come he’s not been arrested?
THEODOSIS
People like him know how to cover themselves. They get family members or someone close to buy the land on their behalf.
DEME
His criticism of the bi-communal event is a problem.
They sit down and sip their coffee.
DEME
I want you to tell me the story of when you and dad drove around Pentadaktilos looking for Stelios. I only know bits of the story.
Theodosis gets a photo out of Stelios and shows it to Deme.
THEODOSIS
This is a nice one of your brother. It was at a picnic, one of many, at Platania if I remember right.
The pair look at the photo of Stelios.
Stelios 1970 posing while doing his national service
THEODOSIS
We drove for days. Every morning your dad would pick me up about six in the morning and we’d head off to the front line. He always took a change of clothes for Stelios, some food, water and lots of cigarettes.
DEME
Where did you search?
THEODOSIS
At first we tried Kyrenia district right near the front. We could hear the fighting while planes flew overhead. There were so many refugees trying to get away, moving South. We stopped and talked to many asking for any information.
FADE TO BLACK:
EXT: PENTATHAKTILOS MOUNTAIN RANGE – DAWN – 1974
Matheos and Theodosis stand on the mountain range overlooking the coast of Kyrenia. Some areas are ablaze and the rumble of artillery and the rattle of machine gunfire can be heard beneath them.
Refugees are fleeing south. An old lady, CHLOE in her seventies stops to talk. She holds her two grandchildren by the hand.
MATHEOS
Hello yiayia. Have some water- take a sip. Have you seen this boy?
Shows her a photo of Stelios.
MATHEOS
He’s my son- we’ve lost touch. He was working in Kyrenia when the invasion took place.
CHLOE
No my son, we’re fleeing from Morphu. It’s mayhem there! Nobody knows exactly what’s going on, many dead and families separated.
Matheos notices the mud and dirt on their clothes.
CHLOE
We had to hide in ditches when the bombers flew over. We’re hungry and tired, especially the little ones.
THEODOSIS
Come yiayia. We can pack all of you in the car and drop you to the next village. You can get a lift from there.
Theodosis and Matheos motion to two other families to get in the car as well.
The car is full as they set off.
INT: CAR – MORNING
Matheos and Theodosis drive south. The grandchildren have fallen asleep on their grandmother’s lap. They whisper so as not to wake them As they drive they see refugees walking and military trucks moving in both directions but mainly south.
MATHEOS
It’s not looking good for us.
CHLOE
Oh Panagia mou! I‘m seventy-one and I’ve never seen such horrifying things, even in ‘64 and ’67! I wish I was dead. This isn’t a war it’s a massacre. Our army is just a few young men doing their best. The Turks are killing prisoners…
Chloe checks the kids are still asleep, and then continues in a whisper.
CHLOE
…But our lot are no better!
MATHEOS
What did you see yiayia?
CHLOE
We’ve seen Turkish villagers killed too! It’s a free for all! Morphou was a mixed village and we lived happily together. I remember when our two daughters were married and we wanted to build them a house for their dowry. We had land but no money.
THEODOSIS
It can be tough with girls.
CHLOE
My husband asked our Turkish Cypriot neighbour to lend us some money. He lived across the road from us and we’d known him for years. He worked as a park ranger – a good steady government job. He agreed straight away.
THEODOSIS
He was a good man.
CHLOE
My husband then said ok let’s get a lawyer and draw up documents. Ibrahim, that was his name, became furious, ‘How dare you!’ he said, ‘We’ve been neighbours for years and we trust each other’.
THEODOSIS
Why was he so angry?
CHLOE
Next day my husband and Ibrahim went to the bank. The cashier wanted to see documents but Ibrahim told him off and demanded the money be transferred to our account straight away. My husband then asked him what interest rate he wanted. In those days many people had to borrow from loan sharks.
THEODOSIS
I work for the Bank of Cyprus. In the old days loan sharks charged ridiculous rates. The moment people had any difficulties paying, their houses went up for auction and they were made homeless.
CHLOE
Ibrahim was a good man. He had no children of his own and had known my daughters ever since they were born. He got upset at the suggestion of any interest. He said to my husband, ‘Andonis, I am not going to take this money with me when I die. I know you will pay me back. It’s my pleasure to help’.
MATHEOS
I know what you mean yiayia. We have Turkish Cypriot neighbours too and we’ve got on well together for many years.
CHLOE
We built two houses and every year after harvest we paid some money back. It took us 10 years. My daughters got married and had children. But now we’re running for our lives! My sons-in-law are fighting and my daughters wouldn’t leave. They begged me to take the little ones to Limassol to stay with relatives.
MATHEOS
May God help us.
CHLOE
Curse these EOKA B bastards! We’ve lost everything, our land, our way of life and good neighbours.
There is a brief silence.
MATHEOS
We’ve heard many stories and many tragedies. Some say the Turks are taking their revenge for what we did to them ten years ago. All I want and hope for is that my son Stelios is still alive.
CHLOE
Amen yie mou, apo to stoma sou kai stou Theou t’aftia (From your mouth to God’s ears)
Chloe crosses herself. Theodosis turns and motions to the children.
THEODOSIS
I hope their parents are safe and well.
Chloe shakes her head and looks worried. Theodosis and Matheos look at each other.
INT: CAR – PENTATHAKTILOS MOUNTAIN RANGE – DAYTIME
THEODOSIS
I couldn’t get what we had yesterday so today we’ve got ham.
MATHEOS
I’ve heard we shot down two more planes this morning, with the three from yesterday that makes five.
EXT: PENTATHAKTILOS MOUNTAIN RANGE – DAYTIME
Matheos and Theodosis stop near a wooded area to take a leak. The sounds of war a few miles away shake the ground as they stand.
On the way back to the car they notice a pile of spent ammunition left behind and, not far from that, a dead donkey lying on the ground.
MATHEOS
This is near my village, Vouno. My brother Giannakos worked here breaking limestone with a sledgehammer to make lime. As a young boy I brought him lunch, bread, olives and an onion! He ate a whole loaf of bread every day and was still thin as a rake!
Theodosis notices some movement in the corner of his eye
THEODOSIS
Shh, what’s that over there?
Although scared, they go to check.
Theodosis pulls back a few branches and is startled by a child’s face, which quickly vanishes into the darkness. Matheos runs after the boy, who sprints round another bush.
Matheos and Theodosis follow and find the boy and his grandmother and siblings.
The Five-Finger peak from which the mountain range gets its name
EXT: PETROL STATION – NIGHT
The car stops and Matheos fills up with petrol while Theodosis goes inside.
The family they saw earlier all get out of the car and stretch their legs.
Theodosis comes back and hands the kids some sweets and drinks. Matheos sees jeeps driving south in the opposite direction; he turns to the mother.
MATHEOS
They’re retreating?
WOMAN
Not all of them. When we left our village all the officers had already fled the front.
MATHEOS
Who’s holding the front line then?
WOMAN
Just ordinary kids with world war two rifles!
At the petrol station YIANNIS, 45 years old, approaches them and shows them a photo.
YIANNIS
Yeia sas (hello), my name is Yannis and I’m looking for my son, his name is Marios. Here’s his photo. Have you seen him or heard anything? He’s been missing since this cursed invasion.
They both carefully look at the photo of a young man.
THEODOSIS
We’re sorry Yianni but no, we haven’t seen your son. We’re doing the same thing, looking for my son Stelios. Here’s his photo.
YIANNIS
I’ve been driving round these mountains for days but no, sorry, I haven’t come across this young man. It’s absolute chaos here. No one knows what’s happening. Is this your son?
THEODOSIS
No, Stelios is the son of Matheos here. Like you, we’ve been driving for days. Are you from this area?
As Yiannis starts to talk he is looking at a young boy trying to open a bottle of 7up. He kneels down and opens the bottle and hands it back to the boy.
YIANNIS
I’m from Lysi. You know, I believed in Enosis, but now, all I care about is my son. I don’t care if the Turks take over the whole of Cyprus so long as my son is safe.
MATHEOS
O Theos na mas philaei (may God protect us)
The pair watch the exhausted children be shepherded back into the car.
YIANNIS
This is the prayer I repeat every day: A son, grown to manhood with a thousand and one sacrifices, tall, erect and proud like a cypress tree; a son who walked like a god and behind his footsteps sprang thyme and rosemary and was the pride and joy of his mother who is now sick with worry.
MATHEOS
My wife hasn’t slept for days either.
YIANNIS
There’s nothing worse not knowing where he is, well or sick, hiding or injured. Here I am, useless, not able to offer him a drink, a hug, or comfort and protect him as I always did from every evil.
MATHEOS
(With a tear in his eyes)
We know.
THEODOSIS
Good luck! Kouragio! (Have patience and determination) We must make a move back to Larnaca. It’s been a long day.
YIANNIS
Good luck to you too. May God be with you.
The group get into the car and drive off.
THEODOSIS (VO)
We got into the car and carried on, there was nothing else but to carry on.
As Deme gets ready to ask another question, Theodosis’ son LEONIDAS, 48 years old, enters the house and greets Deme. They sit down and catch up.
LEONIDAS
Yeia sou, Deme. What’s the matter? You look a bit worried.
DEME
There’s a lot going on right now but don’t mind me. I hear you’re now Deputy Principal at the high school. Congratulations!
LEONIDAS
It’s actually a lot of extra work for very little pay. I must tell you, I really liked what you said at the funeral it so important that these things are expressed. I didn’t expect to get a mention. Of course I was too young to remember.
DEME
Listen Leonida, you must come to this bi-communal event in Nicosia. Its aim is to honour people who saved victims from the other community.
LEONIDAS
Sounds good, about time we had something like that for a change. All you hear these days is nationalistic drumbeats and how barbaric the Turks are. The borders have been open for five years but the propaganda still continues. Do you have any leaflets?
Deme takes out some leaflets from his bag and starts handing them out.
DEME
They push the idea that people only go over to the north to gamble and for prostitutes. They don’t want ordinary people talking to each other. Our event wants to bring people together and build bridges. You should come and pass on these stories to the next generation.
LEONIDAS
Heroes like my father should be there too.
THEODOSIS
There was nothing heroic about what we did. We did it out of desperation and because there was no other choice.
EXT: CAR – DUSK – 1974
Theodosis lights a cigarette as he watches Matheos showing a photo of Stelios to a soldier. It’s getting dark and you can hear the rumble of artillery in the background. Matheos walks over to the car where Theodosis is smoking.
MATHEOS
He says that the entire front is cut off.
THEODOSIS
What are they doing here?
Matheos points at EOKA B members with modern guns next to a modern jeep.
Matheos and Theodosis get in the car and drive off. As they pull away another truck drives passed. Theodosis turns sharply, as he thought he saw an arm and a face in the back of the truck.
INT: CAR – NIGHT
It’s dark as the car reaches the outskirts of Larnaca.
THEODOSIS
It looks like the front line has collapsed and the Turkish army is advancing at will. Do you think they’ll occupy the whole country?
MATHEOS
Right now I don’t care about anything other than finding Stelios. Why did I let him go?
THEODOSIS
Don’t do this to yourself Matheo. This is not your fault, but how long can we keep this up? Have you thought that we might need to start making arrangements for our families?
MATHEOS
Theodosi mou! Thank you for all your support. You have your family to worry about now and you must do what you have to do. And the same for me, I’ll do what I have to do.
They are both silent as the car pulls into Ays Giannis.
EXT. AYS GIANNIS – HOUSE – SAME
The car pulls up at Matheos’ house and they notice Elli shouting at a lorry driver passing their house. The back of the lorry is full of furniture and other goods, driving away from the Turkish Cypriot neighbourhood.
ELLI
What the hell do you think you’re doing? You should be in the front line fighting the Turks like our children are. You wanted mother Greece to take over but now all you’re interested in, is lining your own pockets!
LORRY DRIVER
Shut up silly old woman!
ELLI
Greece is not our mother; it’s our stepmother that hates us. You destroyed peace and people’s homes! You’re not patriots, you’re gangsters and thieves!
The lorry is driven away by a very red-faced driver; Matheos parks outside having caught the end of the incident.
INT: CAR – SAME
THEODOSIS
Same time tomorrow morning?
Matheos nods. Gets out of the car and walks up to Elli.
EXT. AYS GIANNIS – HOUSE – SAME
MATHEOS
Elli, calm down! These people don’t care; you’re just wasting your breath and getting high blood pressure. Remember what the doctor said.
ELLI
Look at these scum. They caused this catastrophe and now they’re looting. All they care about is becoming rich while our kids are getting killed. Where is my Stelios? What’s happened to my eldest son? (She sobs with her head in her hands.)
The real Matheos and Elli, my parents Evgenios and Katina in the 1990’s.
CUT TO:
INT: THEODOSIS’ HOUSE – DAY – 2009
Deme leans forward.
DEME
What happened in the end?
EXT: REFUGEE CAMPL – DAY – 1974
There are hundreds of desperate people clambering for space in a packed refugee camp.
THEODOSIS (VO)
The day came when it was fruitless. The war stopped. The borders were closed. The only avenue was the authorities.
Theodosis and Matheos help others install makeshift toilets and washing facilities while speaking with people and showing them Stelios’ photo.
THEODOSIS (VO)
We travelled to refugee camps, helped build toilets and other facilities while trying to find out if anyone knew anything. So many people Deme, you’ve never seen so many desperate people.
Μέσα σε λίγες κουβέντες ο Αβέρωφ εξέφρασε απλά πως ο δογματισμός της άρχουσας τάξης προωθεί την κλιματική καταστροφή. Για το Αβέρωφ η λύση είναι απλή. Αν το κόστος ανεβεί (ο πληθωρισμός) τότε μονάχα οι εκατομμυριούχοι να μπορούν να αγοράζουν αγαθά και έτσι η μόλυνση στο περιβάλλον θα μειωθεί. Τέτοιου είδους λογική δεν ασκείτε μονάχα στα καύσιμα αλλά εύκολα δικαιολογεί αυξήσεις στις τιμές σε σορό άλλα προϊόντα.
Που είναι τα φωτοβολταϊκά;
Ας δούμε ένα απλό παράδειγμα. Αν αυξηθεί κατακόρυφα η τιμή στο γάλα σε συνθήκες που οι μισθοί μένουν στάσιμοι, ο κόσμος θα αγοράζει λιγότερο γάλα. Η παραγωγή στο γάλα θα μειωθεί, λιγότερες αγελάδες, λιγότερη μόλυνση. Τέτοιου είδους λογική προέρχεται καθαρά από δογματισμό της λογικής που λέει μονάχα στην αγορά υπάρχουν λύσεις. Η κυβέρνηση μπορεί και πρέπει να λάβει ένα σωρό μέτρα. Δογματικά όμως αρνείται να αναλάβει ευθύνη και αφήνει τα πάντα στο ιδιωτικό κεφάλαιο. Αναφέρνουμε μερικά παραδείγματα, μέτρα που θα έπρεπε να μελετήσει και προωθήσει η κυβέρνηση.
Περισσότερα λεωφορεία που να ενώνουν πόλεις και χωριά ως επίσης περισσότερα λεωφορεία μέσα στις πόλεις. Αυτές τις μέρες υπάρχουν μονάχα 3 λεωφορεία καθημερινά μεταξύ των αεροδρομίων της Πάφου και Λάρνακας. Θα έπρεπε να υπάρχουν πολλές φορές περισσότερα.
Η κυβέρνηση θα έπρεπε να έχει πρόγραμμα εγκατάστασης φωτοβολταϊκών που να επωφεληθείτε από την τεράστια ηλιοφάνεια στην Κύπρο. Μονάχα μεταξύ Λευκωσίας και Πάφου υπάρχουν 140 χιλιομετρά πλατιού δρόμου. Φανταστείτε πόση παραγωγή δωρεάν ηλεκτρισμού θα μπορούσε να παράγει κάποια τέτοια επένδυση. Παραγωγή ηλεκτρισμού που δεν μολύνει το περιβάλλον.
Συνδυασμός παραγωγής δωρεάν καθαρού ηλεκτρισμού με ηλεκτρικά αυτοκίνητα, δεν θα βοηθούσε μονάχα την οικονομία αλλά και θα πρόσφερε σε ένα πιο υγειές περιβάλλον.
Υπάρχουν επίσης απλά μέτρα που θα μπορούσε εύκολα να τεθούν σε εφαρμογή. Στην Γαλλία για παράδειγμα σε πολλά μέρη στους δρόμους υπάρχουν χώροι δωρεάς στάθμευσης. Εκεί κόσμος που έχει να ταξιδέψει με αυτοκίνητο για δουλεία σε άλλη πόλη, συναντιούνται και ταξιδεύουν μαζί έτσι ώστε αντί δυο, τρία ή τέσσερα αυτοκίνητα στους δρόμους, καταλήγει μονάχα ένα.
Κυριολεκτικά πως οι Γάλλοι αφαιρούν αυτοκίνητα από τους δρόμους
Υπάρχουν πάρα πολλά μέτρα που η κυβέρνηση αγνοεί λόγο δογματισμού και επιμένει πως μονάχα οι νόμοι της αγοράς λύνουν προβλήματα. Οι αστοί και οι πολιτικοί υπηρέτες τους είναι ικανοί να φανταστούν το τέλος του πλανήτη αλλά όχι το τέλος του καπιταλισμού. Μια τέτοια ευθύνη είναι δική μας.
I’d chipped my tooth and was getting some medicine from the pharmacy when I saw cars filled with coup supporters, driving around blaring out that Makarios was dead.
Areti, holding a packet of medicine, fiddles with her tooth. She stops in the street and watches the cars zoom past, filled with armed men.
She runs across the street and nearly drops her medicine as she bumps into a group of men running in the opposite direction.
One of the men picks her up.
MAN
Quickly now, go home!
Areti grabs her medicine and runs off
The church of Ays Giannis, Larnaca 2019
AYS GIANNIS – SHOP/HOUSE – SAME DAY
The family home doubles up as a shop. The rooms are painted white and blue. They are quite cluttered but still look clean and cosy. An old fashioned radio is positioned on a small coffee table next to the worn sofa. The front door leads into the living room.
Areti gets home and her family is in disarray.
Marina, adopted at a young age, is the eldest sibling. She nervously paces up and down, holding a tiny baby, Eleni, only a few days old.
Areti’s mum, ELLI, 57 years old, is carrying tins of food from the shop and putting them into the kitchen cupboards.
ARETI
Why have we closed the shop?
ELLI
Areti, help me with this. Go and fetch tins of beans, tomatoes and anything you can find and bring them to me.
ARETI
What’s going on?
ELLI
Just do it.
As Areti crosses into the closed shop, she sees her dad Matheos across the square talking to other local men. She comes back with some tins.
ELLI
The military have taken control of the government. We have to focus now on having provisions in the house.
ARETI
Why did they do that?
ELLI
I can’t go into it now. Just stay calm and lets get what we need now in the house.
ARETI
Why move stuff?
ELLI
I DON’T KNOW ARETI! If the military come and see the shop they might loot it. And isn’t it best to have something to do?
The three continue working.
CUT TO:
AYS GIANNIS – SHOP/HOUSE – LATE MORNING.
Areti sits looking out of the window at people rushing by as Marina makes small talk to calm her nerves. Elli moves the last box into a cupboard then sits on the sofa and begins to fan herself.
ELLI
What are you two chatting about now? Marina how is your mother-in-law these days? Has she got used to avoiding sugar due to her diabetes?
ARETI
Mum, what’s going to happen now?
ELLI
All I can say is ‘God help us’.
ARETI
Ugh, fine.
MARINA
She’s well thank you. She’s very scared now and so are my sisters-in-law. But ALEX is there too.
Alex is Marina’s husband; he is right wing but not a supporter of EOKA B. He is a young man in his late 20’s and works as a painter decorator. Alex also helps with various jobs at the local church of Ays Giannis.
When not at work he spends a lot of his time inside the church grounds where his mum and two single sisters live in a few rooms.
ELLI
As long as Alex is around and he can re-assure them.
ARETI
Is Stelios coming to visit soon?
ELLI
What are you talking about?
ARETI
I miss him and I don’t understand why he had to go and get a job the other side of Cyprus.
ELLI
(Defensively)
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
ARETI
Is he upset with us?
ELLI
(Firmly)
Of course not, he’s a young man and he wants to explore things and live his own life. He comes and visits often enough.
The doorbell rings. Hearing it, Elli goes into the living room and answers it. A short, old lady, SOTIRA, dressed all in black enters the room. She is ELLI’S neighbour.
SOTIRA
Panaya mou! Oh my God!
ELLI
Sotira, what’s happened?
Hearing the commotion, Marina walks into the living room.
SOTIRA
Have you not heard? Quickly! Put on your radio!
ELLI
Of course we’ve heard! Are there any new developments?
Elli runs to the radio and turns it on. Military music is playing and after a few seconds it’s interrupted by a radio announcement.
RADIO ANNOUNCEMENT
Citizens of Cyprus and patriots, the glorious Cypriot army with the assistance of the Greek motherland has overthrown the repressive, communist-inspired Makarios Government. A new era is ahead of us, a new era of National glory and achievement. A new era that will make our glorious ancient Greek fathers proud once more. We are in full control. Makarios is dead. Any resistance will be ruthlessly crushed. Anyone found outdoors without authorisation will be arrested. Further announcements will follow in regular bulletins.
Military music resumes.
Everyone stares at the radio. Slowly, Elli turns the radio volume down.
ELLI
Oh god! Makarios is dead?
SOTIRA
They’ve killed him!
ELLI
He can’t be dead! I don’t believe it! They tried and failed so many times before. I need to tell Matheos! Areti go and get your dad, take the back route and be quick! He’s in the local café.
Areti quickly runs out of the back door and a nervous Marina follows.
SOTIRA
I knew the coup would come! I knew this would happen!
ELLI
We all heard the rumours. It’s just a shock that it came so quickly!
SOTIRA
Can I use your phone? I must ring my cousin to make sure that he’s heard. They’re in Ora. I hope the phones are still working.
Sotira rushes out of the room.
ELLI
(To Marina)
I can’t believe this is happening to us. We must get in touch with Stelios too. Thank god Athos and Demetris are in London.
Areti and her father enter through the front door. He looks tired and worried.
ELLI
Matheos, the radio report just said that Makarios is dead. They’ve killed him!
MATHEOS
I heard. We can’t be swift to judge. The army have taken over everything. There are rumours that Makarios is still alive, but we can’t be sure of that either.
ELLI
It’s awful! It’s so awful! The radio says he’s dead!
MATHEOS
Who knows? These jokers are nothing but a bunch of loudmouths. You can’t trust what they say.
ELLI
We should leave! It’s too dangerous! They know you are a communist and it’s only a matter of time before they come for you. We should go and stay with Stamatis and Agathi at Ormidia. It’s part of the British bases and we’d be safer there.
MATHEOS
No! I won’t leave! This is our neighbourhood! We are strong here! I won’t be scared into running away! And what about Stelios? He’ll come straight here as soon as he can. He needs to find us here when he does.
ELLI
Areti, can you go upstairs please?
ARETI
No! I’m fifteen now! I’m old enough to be involved in discussions!
ELLI
Fine. But don’t tell anyone what we discuss here, as it might be dangerous. (To Matheos) I’m worried and scared! We should leave!
MATHEOS
This will all blow over. AKEL is too strong to allow the coup to succeed! We’re thirty three per cent of the people for Christ’s sake! If we all spit on these idiots, we’ll drown them. We all have shotguns… we can fight back! I’ve already heard from others who are organising as we speak.
ELLI
It won’t all blow over! I’m telling you! Listen to me! It’s dangerous for us to stay! We should leave while we still can!
MATHEOS
Calm down! It will be ok! Come on, let’s continue with our normal routine. Weren’t you going to cook pastichio for lunch? I’ll go and see Panays and see what is being organised.
ELLI
Who wants to eat now? Have you gone mad? We should be planning to leave! Our neighbour Xennoulla’s grandfather, Christos, died in Izmir in the 20’s because he thought things would all be okay! His body was never found!
MATHEOS
That won’t happen to us. We’ll be fine. The people behind the coup are a few lunatics.
ELLI
You don’t know that! And besides they have the army behind them.
MATHEOS
Most of the army is conscripted young men, our children. They cannot rely on them and so far they only involved mainly Greek Officers and a few extreme right wing idiots. If we leave, it would be difficult for Stelios or anyone else to contact us in this mayhem.
ELLI
But if we don’t leave then we won’t be safe!
MATHEOS
We’re in no immediate danger! You always overreact! We just need to stay calm. Go and cook that pastichio, we’re bound to be hungry sooner or later. In the meantime I’ll contact AKEL. They’re bound to be arming and resisting these jokers.
ELLI
Okay, fine, but you must be careful. Everyone knows you and knows your politics. Be careful Matheos!
Elli goes into the kitchen and starts to cook. Matheos goes to the phone, picks up his phone book and starts looking up numbers. Areti approaches and stands next to him.
MATHEOS
Despite what mum says it’s safer for us to stay here. This is a communist stronghold. This is the last place they’ll come to. People will fight back. We cannot accept this!
ARETI
But what if they come for us? What if you get shot?
MATHEOS
They won’t come for us, we’ve done nothing wrong. They’re going to be busy trying to establish themselves first…but I’m sure they won’t succeed.
ARETI
We shouldn’t sit tight, we should demonstrate against them!
MATHEOS
Unarmed demonstrations against them would be dangerous. We don’t know what they control and where they have gunmen. These are ruthless people! Idiots but ruthless!
ARETI
We should…
They are interrupted by a knock on the door. Matheos opens the door and Sotira enters. Elli, hearing the doorbell, comes back into the living room.
SOTIRA
They’ve blocked the roads!
ELLI
How do you know?
SOTIRA
My friend’s son was driving in town and saw them putting up the barricades but he managed to escape. They’re setting up checkpoints everywhere.
ELLI
They’re blocking the roads!
SOTIRA
I should go now. My son worries when I’m out for too long. I’ll tell you if I hear any more news.
Sotira quickly walks out of the front door.
ELLI
(To Matheos)
We need to leave! It’s not safe here! We could go to Stamatis’ house. He lives in the British base in Dhekelia and the army won’t shoot there!
MATHEOS
I think that’s too hasty.
ELLI
How dare you place our family in danger by being slow to act!
MATHEOS
How would we get there if the roads are blocked?
ELLI
We could take the back streets…. they should be safe. We should leave now before the army gains complete control!
MATHEOS
No! We live here! I will not abandon everything and run away.
ELLI
WE CAN COME BACK! It’s not safe here anymore!
ARETI
Dad maybe we should leave?
MATHEOS
You don’t understand, you’re just a child.
ARETI
I do understand! I’m old enough to know that if we stay here we’ll be in danger!
MATHEOS
No you’re not! I make the decisions here, not you. I provide for this family! I always do what is right for my family! I will not abandon my house, my neighbours, my town to a bunch of fascists!
ELLI
Christ almighty Matheos, is this house more precious than your family!
The room falls silent.
MATHEOS
We have to fight back, if we don’t then everything will be lost! Life in Cyprus will become impossible especially for people like us!
Suddenly there is the sound of someone coming in through the garden. The group look in anticipation, Matheos steps forward. The door opens and Stelios emerges, dusty and tense. Areti runs up and hugs him.
ARETI
Stelio mou! I’m so happy to see you I could cry. (Areti holds on to him tightly)
He embraces Elli and Matheos. They kiss and wipe away the tears.
ELLI
Thank God you’re here. Are you okay?
MATHEOS
So pleased to see you Stelio, I was so worried. How bad is it in Kyrenia?
STELIOS
It’s pretty bad. The fascists are in full control and those who haven’t been arrested are in hiding. I was arrested and taken to Kyrenia Castle with hundreds of others but I managed to escape.
ELLI
Stelio mou, thank God you’re ok. How did they know about you? You were there for only a few months. Did they hurt you… did they hurt anyone?
STELIOS
I think they’re rounding up all known party members. Is everyone here ok, do we know what’s happening in Larnaca?
Stelios (right) with brother Athos, London 1972
SOUND OF CHURCH BELLS RINGING:
There is a loud knock at the door. Matheos opens the door to two men and Areti recognizes one of them as the man who knocked her down earlier, it’s PANAYIS.
PANAYIS Makarios isn’t dead and the coup is organized and led by the Greek officers who are part of the Junta. They’re rounding up left wing people – members of AKEL and others.
MAN 1
We need to defend the police station. Come to the church, we’re gathering everyone there. We have a tape of Makarios speaking from a radio station in Paphos.
MATHEOS
Stelio, grab my shotgun. Let’s go!
ELLI
I’m coming too! You too Marina!
ARETI
I’m not staying here on my own!
AT THE COURTYARD OF AYS GIANNIS CHURCH – DAY – BELLS STILL RINGING:
The whole neighbourhood seems to have gathered there and everyone is asking what is happening and exchanging information. Alex is there too, Marina walks up to him with the baby and we see them talking.
Then the bells stop and a voice is heard. It’s the voice of HARRIS, forty-nine, a well-known Trade Union organizer in PEO (the left wing trade union), born and raised in Ays Giannis.
HARRIS
Makarios is alive, he is broadcasting from Paphos! They didn’t get him! Makarios is calling on us to resist the coup. I have a tape of the recording here. We need to organize speakers on the back of lorries and go round broadcasting this news so that everyone knows! A convoy is being organized as we speak. We need volunteers. Long live Makarios! Long live democracy!
The crowd cheers and repeats the slogans.
Harris steps down from the chair he was standing on and a large number of men surround him, excited and ready to volunteer. KOKOS, a young man of twenty, walks straight up to Harris, turns round to everyone and says.
KOKOS
The army and paramilitaries are attacking the police station. The police inside are fighting back but will not last long without extra support. We need to get men down there straight away or the police station will fall. Those who have shotguns, make sure you bring plenty of cartridges.
STELIOS
(To Matheos)
I’ll take your shotgun and get down there.
MATHEOS
There’s plenty of ammo! Just be careful, do you hear?
Before joining the others, Stelios goes up to Alex and they shake hands.
ALEX
The priest told me to stay here by the church, make sure nothing happens, look after the place, you know.
STELIOS
Sure, take care and see you later.
ALEX
You too, just be careful.
A convoy led by three trucks and a few civilian saloon cars sets off. Many jump on the back of the truck, including ANDREAS, a 14-year-old kid. As they are setting off, a couple of women shout at the boy.
WOMAN 1
Get off! You’re too young!
WOMAN 2
Stop that boy! He’s only a child!
It’s too late. The convoy leaves.
A group of about six men, including Stelios, get their shotguns and make their way to the police station, taking back streets and alleyways in order not to be seen.
OUTSIDE THE POLICE STATION – LATER THAT DAY
As they approach the police station, Stelios gets everyone to duck down. They all remain silent as he points out the amassing army at the front of the station. Cautiously they head for the back of the police station
They enter through the back entrance where they are met by a police officer aiming a rifle directly at them.
Larnaca Central Police Station
OFFICER
Stop! Who are you?
STELIOS
Relief from the community! We are not with the coup!
The group present themselves to the police officer in charge.
STELIOS
We’ve come to assist.
POLICE OFFICER
How many?
STELIOS
Six.
POLICE OFFICER
Take positions near the window, but keep your heads down. Try and keep them pinned down behind their jeeps and watch out for flanking.
INT: POLICE STATION – FIRST FLOOR
They take their positions on the first floor by the windows and start firing at the army who are in the main street outside with armoured vehicles and modern automatic rifles.
Sounds of a loud revving motorbike make everyone turn towards it to see what is going on. Two young men appear on a bike making their way round the back of the police station weaving in and out of obstacles in order not to get shot.
As they come close, they both jump off and run to the door while the bike carries on and crashes against a wall. It’s SOTIRIS and his friend COSTA, both eighteen years old.
SOTIRIS
(Wild-eyed and excited)
Give me a gun! Give me a gun! No pasaran (den tha perasoun)!
CIVILIAN A
This one thinks he’s in the Spanish Civil war! Hey camarada! You didn’t even bring a gun!
Stelios recognizes Sotiris from Ays Giannis and greets him.
STELIOS
Sotiri there is a shotgun over there. You’re a good shot but remember today we are not hunting hares so keep your head down and don’t go across the windows.
The fighting continues for another fifteen minutes but things are not going well. A police officer comes upstairs to talk to everyone.
POLICE OFFCIER
Look boys, we can’t hold them off much longer. We’ve got pistols and shotguns, they’ve got modern rifles and we hear a tank is on its way. We’ll surrender and we should be ok – we’re ‘doing our duty’, but if they see civilians here they’ll shoot you on sight. We’ll give you ten minutes to disappear. Hide your weapons somewhere. Don’t let them catch you armed.
Stelios and the rest of the civilian’s head out the back way and creep along an alleyway.
EXT: ALLEYWAY – LATER ON
SOTIRIS
(To Stelios)
I was so close to getting their officer but he kept ducking and diving, the bastard wouldn’t stay still and my shotgun was useless.
STELIOS
(Puts his hand on Sotiris shoulder)
There’s more to be done camarada! (Stelios smiles at him)
(To the rest)
Let’s find the convoy and join them.
The group of now ten makes its way to the town centre. They follow the sound of the loud speakers and soon meet up with the convoy.
EXT: STREET – CONVOY
The convoy comprises of about three to four pick-up trucks and a few private family cars. Ahead on foot and leading the convoy, PRODROMOS LAZAROU, with two Greek flags in his hands and with his mother KYRIAKOU, together they call out for people to join them.
The ten people from the police station climb up on the back of the pick up trucks. At the same time ELIAS KOUMIDES, a fourteen year old, climbs on and joins some of his classmates.
The convoy continues for about a hundred metres more, passes the offices of Alki F.C and heads towards the town centre but stopping just before a major crossroad and military outpost
Prodromos, carrying and waving two Greek flags, addresses the soldiers.
PRODROMOS
We are Greeks too. Makarios is alive! Soldiers don’t let them lie to you! We’ll pass. If you want to shoot us, you’ll be shooting brothers who are not armed!
At the back of the pick up trucks some of the civilians who have handguns whispered ‘Hide them, hide them’.
More people join by climbing onto the back of the trucks but by this time, Elias Koumides’ father catches up with the convoy, grabs his son and pulls him off saying ‘where do you think you’re going? You’re coming with me. Let’s go’.
The convoy moves on towards the main crossroad called Akropolis.
Prodromos leads the convoy on foot and they all move slowly through the crossroads. Prodromos, flags raised, keeps addressing the soldiers.
PRODROMOS
Brothers don’t shoot! We are Greek too. Makarios is alive! Don’t believe their lies! We are unarmed.
Standing by the army post, ordinary soldiers are confused and not sure what to do. As the convoy moves on, a Greek army Officer snatches a rifle from a soldier and shoots a quick burst into the air.
Those on the back of the truck hear the firing and panic. One of them gets a handgun and fires back. Then everyone starts firing at will.
The convoy gets hit from four different directions: the army post, rooftops of two blocks of flats (paramilitary snipers) and from the school at the corner of the crossroads.
Stelios is with Sotiris in the pick-up truck, which is right in the middle of the crossroads. Their truck gets hit the worst. Stelios sees people getting shot. The pick-up truck speeds up and turns into a quiet road.
They get off and realize four are dead: ACHILEAS, twenty-four; GIORGOS HADJISTEPHANI, forty-six; GIORGOS HARALAMBOUS, seventeen and ANTREAS, just fourteen. Others are injured.
Monument of the four who died on the convoy in 1974 The short poem at the bottom roughly translates Oh passerby, deliver this message As genuine people Defending democracy we fell down Here dead
STELIOS
(To Sotiris)
Hey! You’ve got blood all over your shirt and trousers! You’ve been shot!
Sotiris realises he’s been shot and starts to go into shock.
The dead and wounded are loaded from the convoy into a red Honda with broken windows and a flat tyre. It speeds off.
Stelios and a couple of others get into a second car riddled with bullet holes and follow.
STELIOS
Where the hell are they going? The hospital is in the opposite direction! It looks like they’re going to the police station!
PASSENGER
We can’t go to the hospital… all hell is breaking out there!
OUTSIDE THE POLICE STATION
A policeman sprints over waving the car away.
POLICEMAN
Are you crazy! The army just moved off to find you lot and they’ll be back any second. There’s some still in the station! Hide!
DRIVER OF THE HONDA
I have wounded people here. I think some are dead!
POLICEMAN
There’s nothing we can do for them here, you need to take them to the hospital.
DRIVER OF THE HONDA
They’re still firing back there! They were firing at us! I’m not driving back.
POLICEMAN
Well whatever you do get away from here and ditch those beaten up cars!
The two cars drive over to the taxis offices about 100 meters from the police station and call for help.
EXT: TAXI RANK
The driver of the red Honda rushes over to Stelios’ car.
DRIVER OF THE HONDA
No further! No further! They see our cars with bullet holes and we’re finished.
STELIOS
These people need help for Christ’s sake!
The driver of Stelios’ car points towards the taxis and starts to unload the people onto the street.
STELIOS
You can’t be serious.
Stelios helps Sotiris out and puts him down on the ground while he rushes over to the taxi rank. Most of the men disperse and wave him away.
STELIOS
We have wounded men here who need to get to the hospital.
TAXI DRIVER
No way. We have families and these taxis are our livelihoods.
STELIOS
People are dying here! We can’t abandon them! They need medical attention!
An old retired ARMENIAN, sixty-eight, taxi driver, steps up. He flicks his cigarette, takes out his keys and points over to the side street
ARMENIAN
I’ll drive you. I know how to get to the hospital the back way.
Stelios helps move everyone into the Armenian’s car and then shouts back to the drivers of the shot at cars.
STELIOS
Get these cars off the road. Hold on Sotiris, we’ll be there soon.
They drive off
OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL – A BIT LATER
They arrive at the hospital. Paramilitaries move towards the car with weapons to hand.
PARAMILITARY
These are communist dogs! They don’t deserve to live! Take them to the side and shoot them.
The Armenian gets out of the car and stands in front to protect the wounded inside.
ARMENIAN
These are just demonstrators. They had absolutely nothing to do with events at the police station.
PARAMILITARY
Get out of the way old man.
ARMENIAN
You’ll have to shoot me first before you get to them.
Meanwhile, nurses and other hospital staff gather round and start expressing their discontent, forcing the paramilitaries to let the staff take in the wounded. Stelios helps carry Sotiris inside.
PARAMILITARY
Ward thirteen with the other commies. Nobody touches them.
The old Larnaca general hospital
INSIDE THE HOSPITAL – CORRIDOR
While moving down the corridor towards ward thirteen, a nurse MARIANNA, forty-one, who happens to be Sotiris’ aunt, approaches.
MARIANNA
(Whispering)
Sotiri how bad are you?
She presses folded bandages against his wound.
MARIANNA
Stelio, hold them tight.
Marianna fastens the bandages while Stelios keeps the pressure on
MARIANNA
It’s very dangerous here. Do you have any bullets on you?
SOTIRIS
Oh theia (auntie). I don’t think it’s too bad. Check my trouser pockets. I have a few bullets left …… here you are.
Marianna takes the bullets and wraps them in a bandage, which she then puts into a rubbish bin.
MARIANNA
You too Stelios! If they find anything on you, it’ll be the end.
STELIOS
I am clean. Let’s take him to the ward.
They arrive at ward thirteen. There are many people lying in beds and are left completely unattended.
MARIANNA
(whispering)
There are strict orders not to treat any of you in here. Hold tight and I’ll see what I can do once things calm down a bit.
As Marianna walks off, a doctor with a smirk on his face walks in. LOIZOS, forty-five, who wouldn’t look out of place in Hitler’s ranks, is visibly happy with what’s going on and approaches Stelios and Sotiris.
LOIZOS
What have we got here? Why are all you reds in pain? Did you eat beans and have stomach ache today?
CUT TO:
HOSPITAL – CORRIDOR – LATER
Marianna creeps out of a doorway, stuffing painkillers into her pockets and heads for ward thirteen.
WARD THIRTEEN
Marianna walks steadily over to Sotiris and hands him the painkillers.
MARIANNA
Here takes these! Quickly!
Stelios quickly hands Sotiris some water.
A couple of paramilitaries march in, led by the OFFICER from the police station who Sotiris was trying to shoot. They pull their guns and go round to Sotiris.
The officer takes out his pistol and presses it against Sotiris’ temple.
OFFICER
Confess you dog! You were there at the police station! I saw you!
SOTIRIS
It wasn’t me! I got this at the demonstration.
OFFICER
You shot us at the demonstration!
SOTIRIS
No, no, I didn’t!
STELIOS
He didn’t, he didn’t!
PARAMILITARY A
You shut up.
OFFICER
Say your prayers.
He pulls the trigger and the gun goes click. The gun was empty, this was a mock execution. The paramilitaries start laughing.
STELIOS
(Under his breath)
Bastards!
Marianna hears Stelios and takes in the look in his eyes. She grabs him by the arm.
MARIANNA
You need to leave! Leave now! You’re going to get yourself and all of us in trouble. Don’t worry I’ll keep my eye on him. Make sure his dad, Themistoclis, is told. Go out the back way.
CUT TO:
INSISDE THE HOUSE AT AYS GIANNIS – EARLY EVENING
Stelios returns home, he’s covered in blood. Areti is operating the phone, passing on messages from family to family. She turns and sees her brother and drops the phone in fright.
ARETI (PRESENT DAY VOICE OVER)
I thought he was shot too but it turned out the blood was not his.
He was fine. I had just received a phone call from Xanthoulla’s husband to go and tell his wife he was not harmed but was taking refuge in a friend’s house. In seventy-four we had one of the few telephones in the neighbourhood and I spent a lot of time that day receiving calls from people and then passing on messages to their relatives.
NEIGHBOURS HOUSE – AYS GIANNIS – NIGHT.
Areti stands in the hallway as a woman kisses her on both cheeks.
WOMAN
Thank you sweetheart, we’ve been worried sick. Do you want to stay and have some cake?
ARETI
I have to get back. The phone may ring again and there’ll be more messages.
WOMAN
Are you okay getting back?
ARETI
I’ll go the back way.
WOMAN
Take care!
Areti steps out into the street and looks both ways. She sees the coast is clear and makes her way through the shadows and alleyways back to her home.
On arriving Areti hears the same conversation carrying on as before: Stelios, Elli and Matheos are sitting on the sofas exhausted but frantic.
Stelios explains to everyone what happened and that he is okay.
ELLI
I keep saying it. We should go to the British base.
STELIOS
To hell with those imperialist bastards!
Areti walks in and Elli turns in shock.
ELLI
Stelios, your mouth!
MATHEOS
Limassol and Paphos are resisting the coup, that much we know. We could be called on or needed here, depending on how things go there. We can’t leave, not now.
ELLI
You two have to promise me you’ll be more careful. After what you explained in the hospital Stelio, they have their sights on AKEL members.
Marina slowly rocks her ten-day-old baby, Eleni, in her arms, and then looks over at Areti.
INSIDE THE HOUSE – HALLWAY – LATE EVENING
MATHEOS
Are you ok son? We didn’t really get a chance to speak about what happened this afternoon. The police station and the hospital – everything’s moving so fast.
STELIOS
Yes I’m fine. Sotiris has been shot but his aunt Marianna is a nurse at the hospital he is in, so she’ll keep an eye on him and keep the family informed. She told me to leave because the place was crawling with EOKA B men.
MATHEOS
Marianna is a smart woman. She was right to send you away. Your mum’s right, we’re going to have to be careful.
STELIOS
So what happened over here?
Matheos sighs then searches for the right words.
MATHEOS
The news about the shooting and the killing reached us very quickly…families are grieving for their dead sons. It’s a very sad day for our neighbourhood. I’m on my way to visit people and see what we can do.
STELIOS
Oh, I know this is out of the blue and perhaps not the right time, but I gave my word. A Turkish Cypriot friend asked me about the bus that disappeared in sixty-four, do you remember? Did anyone find out anything?
Matheos puts his hand on Stelios shoulder as he picks his keys up.
MATHEOS
No one knows and those who do will not talk, I can’t think straight right now. It’s a bad omen
STELIOS
You don’t think …..
MATHEOS
They will be an obvious target. We have to organize to stop these thugs. Listen, I have to go, I’ll see you later.
Matheos leaves and Stelios goes into the living room as Areti turns her head away as if she hadn’t been listening.
INSIDE THE HOUSE IN AYS GIANNIS 1974 2nd DAY – 16 JULY 1974
MATHEOS
Stay by the phone, people will try and get in touch with their families.
Areti watches Matheos leave then sits in the living room with Marina.
MARINA
I just pray they don’t come here. I wouldn’t normally worry about myself but with Eleni I can’t stop thinking the worst.
ARETI
They wouldn’t harm a baby or its mother. If anyone comes to the door I’ll see who it is.
PHONE RINGS!
She walks over to the phone with urgency and picks it up.
ARETI
Yes, hello?
VOICE
Christos Kyriakou, three houses behind Ays Giannis church. They’re coming for him. TELL HIM TO GET OUT!
The caller hangs up abruptly.
Areti, shell shocked, looks round at Marina.
MARINA
What is it?
ARETI
A man has just said that some guy called Christos Kyriakou, that ‘they’ are coming for him.
MARINA
When?
ARETI
Now.
MARINA
Well you must go straightaway.
ARETI
I don’t know where his house is! He said it too fast!
MARINA
It’s behind Ays Giannis… damn it! I’ll go with you.
ARETI
What about Eleni?
MARINA
She’s asleep she’ll be fine for five minutes. That’s all it’ll take. COME ON!
The pair rush out into the street.
They compose themselves so as not to draw attention and swiftly walk towards the church. They spot army patrol cars in the distance.
MARINA
Quickly! We’ll have to run through the courtyard.
Both cross the church courtyard and climb through a hole in the wall leading to the back of the church.
They arrive at Kyriacos’ house and Areti bangs on the door several times.
PETRA – KYRIACOS’ WIFE’S VOICE FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE
Who is it?
MARINA
Marina! It’s me, Marina! It’s the army! They’re coming for Christos!
Petra sharply swings open the door.
PETRA
WHAT? How do you know?
ARETI
A phone call!
MARINA
Quickly! We just saw a patrol car at the edge of the village.
PETRA
CHRISTOS! The army are coming! Get out! Get out now!
Christos comes bounding down the stairs.
CHRISTOS
What? Where?
ARETI
Please, they’re just around the corner.
The rumble of a diesel engine overwhelms their voices. Marina looks over and sees the patrol car approaching. She grabs Areti’s arm and leads her away. They both quickly look back at Christos but he has already disappeared out the back window.
As the jeep pulls up Areti and Marina calmly walk away. Their hearts in their mouths as several paramilitaries get out and encircle the house.
Areti and Marina make it to the corner of the street then head for the main road as the house is ransacked behind them.
Areti and Marina see Greek Officers and Paramilitaries sitting in a coffee shop, sipping coffee as if this was just another day for them. There is a sound of a shot somewhere and everyone runs and takes cover. Areti and Marina bolt back to the house.
OUTSIDE AYS GIANNIS HOUSE – DAY – 1974 – A FEW DAYS LATER
Areti watches her father talking with a man. She looks over and smiles at the man’s daughter who is the same age as her. The girl smiles back at Areti and for a moment the pair aren’t afraid.
ARETI (VOICE OVER)
It was all mayhem, families were torn apart, communities were torn apart, no one really knew what was happening… there was fear too. I kept telling myself, the whole family is ok, it will all be ok. But it wasn’t.
During the population exchange Turkish Cypriots gave dad their house keys.
Years later I was visiting Dad in hospital when an elderly man stopped me. I had no idea who he was till he spoke. He was an old Turkish Cypriot neighbour. He told me that Dad had looked after their cows and made sure they got them back during the exchange.
When Cypriot Greeks and Turkish Cypriots speak about what has happened in Cyprus, Greek Cypriots select and highlight the landing of the Turkish army on Cyprus in July 1974 as the most traumatic event for their community during the course of Cyprus problem. The war of 1974 massively traumatised Cypriot Greeks. However, the most traumatic event for Cypriot Turks was a long lasting anxiety that existed for many years. For a very long time Turkish Cypriots lived with this anxiety and the continued hope that one day Turkey would save them.
For me, my personal trauma started in 1956 when I was a little girl and was forced to witness my Greek friends emptying the village called Louroujina where we lived together side by side. Looking back, it seems to me, the whole of my early childhood is linked with the voices of my friends who were both Turkish and Greek. I can still feel the content of my childhood playing with my friends Fasulla, Nigoli, Melek, Mehmet. Fasulla and Nigoli were my best friends. Fasulla, who was the same age as me was the daughter of our Greek neighbour who lived opposite our house in the village called Louroujina. Nigoli was the son of another. After the death of his parents he lived with his grandmother not far away from our house. I loved them very much and could not imagine life without them. It is strange now, to sit here and look back to the past and see them so clearly before me. I forgot about these two friends until I started to look backwards to my far- off childhood. I did not know I was capable of remembering so much.
We used to spend most of our days in each other’s houses. Our mothers would sit on their verandas separating molallohiyas (Corchorus olitorius) from its stalks while keeping an alert eye on our activities. We used to pick jasmine flowers give them to our mothers who would place them behind their ears or make necklaces using the flowers and they would wear them round their necks.
Nigoli would let me pick mandarins, oranges and grapes from his garden and on rare occasions he would steal some freshly made pastelli (made of carob juice) and sucuk (made of grape juice) from his grandma’s kitchen for me to eat. Nigoli also owned a donkey and in the cool of the afternoons he would teach me how to ride on it because I was very scared on my own.
Whenever I was told off by my parents I would go to Fasulla’s house and she would console me. On many occasions during siesta time while my parents were asleep, I would go to Fasulla’s house to play under the vine tree that sheltered us from the sun and the afternoon heat. We would dance and sing in ‘our’ kind of language, a mixture of Turkish and Greek. If my mother called me I would say, “Sen dudo gatse boci ce ben geldim.”
Now and then usually on Sunday mornings even though I was not suppose to be a Christian I would join Nigoli and Fasulla and go to church. The best times of my church goings were at Greek Easter ‘Yortus’. I used to put on my best dress and travel to the church on top of the hill near the Greek village called Limni. I took pride in kissing the hand of the high priest who would later on give me coloured eggs, which I adored. Gollifa is a sweet mixture of cooked wheat, sultanas, sesame seeds, pomegranate and figs. I would take handfuls of gollifa and fill my pockets with it to eat later. I remember well that once I left I would spit and say “destur bismillahirahmannirahim” which means to be forgiven in the name of God.
I shall not easily forget the day when Fasulla’s mother Maria told me that Fasulla could not play with me anymore as the times were very dangerous. I rebelliously told her that was nothing to do with me and demanded to see Fasulla. When she refused I went to look for Nigoli but I was told that he and his grandmother had already left the village and moved to Limni because they were scared to live with Turks. It is so odd how I felt that there was something bigger surrounding our Greek neighbours and us Turks. All that long time I was bored and uneasy sensing our neighbours’ alarm.
One night, shortly after my grandfather died, I was lying in his bed in the kitchen, pretending to be asleep but I could hear the voices of my parents as they talked together on the veranda. There was something odd, which I couldn’t figure out so I crept from the bed and went out to see what was going on. It was very still and I could hear every word of the conversation. To stir up Turkish Cypriots some Turks carried out sabotage all over the island and blamed this on the Greek Cypriots. Turkish Cypriots then rioted, attacked homes and fields belonging to Greek Cypriots who then retaliated. Both Greek and Turkish Cypriots died as a result. Thinking about this made me realise that some super powers were preventing me from continuing being friends with my old friends because we were different. I was not very learned in my political outlooks as a young child. But against all logic, I argued with my parents as well as Fasulla’s that we had nothing to do with the conflict and I would never allow anyone to harm them. How was I to know that a few greedy people from both sides were out to line their own pockets by brainwashing the many of us who got on very well. Shortly after, Fasulla’s family came to say farewell, telling us that they were moving to Limni where Nigoli and his grandmother were staying.
In 1958 we were living in Nicosia where English soldiers in their khaki uniforms filled the streets of this town. News reached us that there were troubles between Turks and Greek Cypriots. Our neighbour’s husband was killed by EOKA. What was worse, EOKA was targeting my father since he was an inspector in the police working for the British Government. Some things in life stand out sharply in the memory. I have such a precise memory of one particular day when my father came home with a worried pale-face. English helicopters were distributing leaflets against EOKA. I picked up a handful of leaflets and went to open the garden gates waiting for my father to come in quickly. I stood with my nose pressed against the garden gate of our house, which was situated in Kucuk Kaymakli. A young worried looking English soldier pointed his gun at me, hit my nose lightly to scare me and ordered me to go inside the house. As I started to walk towards the back of our garden my father drove in so I ran and quickly closed the gates. My father was shaking with fear and his face was very pale. His voice had a worried note as he explained how EOKA had set a trap to kill him.
My own trauma continued in the Turkish Cypriot enclave of Larnaca where we were forced to live in terrible conditions. In the beginning of 1964 this enclave was guarded by the Turkish militia surrounded by the Greek Army. We were overcrowded as many Turkish Cypriots came to live with us from the
surrounding villages. During 1964-1968 we were virtually imprisoned in this enclave. At one time when Greek Cypriots started shooting at the house we lived in I was shot on my left leg, which still hurts when I walk. It was a United Nations doctor who stopped the bleeding and saved my leg. This experience made me realise that we Turkish people would have perished without the presence of the United Nations peacekeeping force and without the political and military interference of the Turkish Government.
The food supplies for the Mackenzie enclave in Larnaca came by boat from Turkey. We were fed-up of eating only dried food such as beans, rice and lentils. Fresh fruit and vegetables were very rare. I decided to leave Cyprus as soon as possible and promised myself not to fall in love, as I did not want any obstacles getting in the way of me leaving the country.
In 1968 we were allowed to move out of the enclaves and pass through the Greek territory to visit other enclaves. It was in November 1968 that I managed to get out of Cyprus for good I have never wanted to go back.
In 2001 I revisited Cyprus and I found many people with different identities. As I write in 2016 this trend is particularly powerful. There are Turkish Cypriots who see themselves as brothers and sisters with Turkish people, there are those who feel superior to those who settled on the island from Turkey after 1974 and there are those who feel more Cypriot than Turkish. There are those who remain grateful to the Turkish military and those who see the Turkish military as an unlawful power. Soon there may be ‘secular’ and ‘religious’ groups as a result of the policies of the Erdogan Government. Turkish Cypriot students in universities segregate themselves from Turkish students from Turkey and sometimes this difference causes violence between the two.
Don McCullin’s photos of Cyprus 1964
CONCLUDING REMARKS Demetrios Hadjidemetriou
I have known Emine Ali (not her real name) for a long time and she is one of my oldest and dearest friends. Four years ago I interviewed her for a script I am writing with Frances Willson and Simon Fisher. The script of Shadows Beneath the Sun, tells the story of a missing soldier and his family and is written as a six part television mini series.
Emine’s story is important because as a young woman living through the events of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s her account brings to life what most books on the topic only cover in general terms. Usually this period of the history of Cyprus is described through what various political figures and organisations did or said and may even describe certain incidents and give some statistics. Very few however, show what it was like for a Turkish Cypriot family living in those conditions of fear, isolation and sheer terror during this period, especially after the events of 1963-4.
When Makarios tried to alter the 1960 constitution that established Cyprus independence with 13 amendments the end result was that Turkish Cypriot (t/c) civilians ended up surviving on a diet of dried food because in their isolation in tiny enclaves the only food supply came from Turkey.
When Makarios was pursuing the policy ‘of what is feasible’ (πολιτική του εφικτού), young women such as Emine were promising themselves not to fall in love because they were so desperate to leave the country they were not prepared to allow any obstacles to get in the way, even love.
In plain language Emine gives a vivid description of her childhood experience, playing with her best friends, oblivious to nationality or religion. As children, they formed their own language, a mixture of Greek and Turkish, shared their religions and enjoyed each other’s traditions and festivities. All they knew was friendship for each other. For ordinary Cypriot people this experience was the normal way of life and for centuries they lived next to each other as neighbours. When people have so much in common everything else pales into insignificance.
Born in the late 1940’s, Emine’s generation is probably the last to have these experiences and we are indebted to her for sharing them with us. But while, as innocent children, Emine and her friends played together, shared each other’s food and traditions, the dark clouds of nationalism in its extreme form were gathering momentum. This nationalism eventually grew to overwhelm everyone and changed everything.
Frances and I met with Emine again when we visited her on New Year’s Eve a few days ago. She told me that last summer she spent her holiday in Paphos with some of her family. She described how most Greek Cypriots (g/c) treated them as fellow compatriots but a small minority showed animosity towards them for being t/c. Right wing people do not see both communities as victims of nationalist hatred but
see the other community as the enemy, ‘the others’. On one occasion Emine with her family simply wanted to buy a watermelon from a street vendor only to be told to go to the other side. Emine’s family was not viewed as victims of the Cyprus tragedy like so many thousands of ordinary civilians from both communities, but as the enemy.
In Cyprus the true enemy is not the other community but nationalism, the ideology that turns ordinary people against another on the grounds of race. Both communities lost friends and relatives murdered in cold blood, both communities have their missing persons, both lost property and homes.
Let us be clear, the common pain should unite us and together with a loud voice we should say to anyone who will listen – never again war, never again fascism.
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