Occupy the Buffer Zone

About 2 months ago a group of Greek and Turkish Cypriots gathered in the UN buffer zone dividing north and south Nicosia and set up a small protest camp, modelled on similar 'Occupy' movements in other cities around the world.  The protest and its related signage and graffiti makes for some interesting reading as you cross the buffer zone. The primary aim of the protest is to raise the profile of the Cyprus issue and to push for more concrete steps towards reunification.  Broader themes around capitalism and anti-globalisation are also present.  As the buffer zone sits between Greek and Turkish checkpoints and is therefore UN territory, any push to conclude the protest or move things on will need to come from the UN.  There seems to be no movement in this regard, so as with the other 'Occupy' protests in cities like London and New York, it will be interesting to see how long things continue with the protest in Cyprus.

I have to confess to being challenged by the protests.  Part of me in my middle age stupor reacts with a view that says these ideals are far removed from reality, and that protesting is a futile exercise, or that the agendas of the protesting groups are so mired with various politics that the impact and focus of any message is blurred.  But another part of me is stirred and inspired whenever people have the conviction to make a stand for something with passion, regardless of whether I agree with the views being put forward.  


I think it was Churchill who said something along the lines of: "when a man is young, if he is not of the left there is something wrong with his heart, but when a man is old, if he is not of the right there is something wrong with his head".  This quote has always challenged me as I ponder the inexorable drift towards conservatism that comes with ageing!


Hope you enjoy being challenged by some of these images. 

Καλό Χριστούγεννα (Happy Christmas)

Nativity scene outside our local video store

It's two days before Christmas and the weather has turned cold again.  Some fresh snow on the Troodos mountains today, and everyone is rugged up again after some warmer weather over the last week. Church bells are ringing across city this evening as people head home for the Christmas weekend.  Tonight we went out to the old town for dinner and a walk.  We've enjoyed the festive atmosphere in Nicosia at this time of year, and also the fact that the lead up to Christmas hasn't been too busy.  

Cypriots don't recognise St Nicholas as Santa Claus, but rather Saint Basil, or Agios Vasilis.  Interesting to hear how this translates for some of the kids....just think 'Santa Claus is coming to town', but replace 'Santa Claus' for 'Saint Basil', and you get the general idea!  The bigger holiday here is actually New Years Day.  


The city is full of lights and signs that say ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΠΟΛΛΑ, which is a new year's greeting.  The kids have had their various Christmas concerts over the last few weeks.  Sam put in a solid performance as Joseph last week in his pre-school show, including his one line of 'we are hungry, will you let us in'.  Delivered with good timing and poise, and a significant step forward in his from his single line in a church nativity play last year which consisted of one word 'GOLD' (he was one of the wise men).  Small but no doubt significant steps in his thesbian career.....  

A homily and blessing for the gymnastics concert??

Last night Jessie had a gymnastics concert.  We were somewhat bemused to arrive on time, all kids and parents were ready, but the show didn't start.  10mins late, 20 mins late, half and hour, and still waiting......  We're getting used to things working on Cypriot time (siga siga, or slowly slowly), but this was a little out of the normal.  Various announcements were made in Greek (which we couldn't understand), and it wasn't until the arrival of an official delegation from the Greek Orthodox Church that we realised the reason for the delay.   The Patriarch was ushered to the front in full robes, staff and regalia, whereupon he delivered a fairly long winded homily in Greek which we can only assume was some sort of blessing for the gymnastics show (as one typically does).  Perhaps preaching about the benefits of exercise for children, or praying for no injuries during the cartwheels and somersaults???  This was then followed by various speeches from other members of the delegation before the show finally got underway.  Suffice to say it was a good show and worth the wait, and we're pleased to say injury free for all the participating children.  The Lord does indeed work in mysterious ways!


May the grace and peace of Jesus Christ be with you and your family this Christmas.  


Καλό Χριστούγεννα!   love Ross, Sarah, Jessie, Angus, Sam and Anna

The park near our house

Jessie and Gus' Christmas concert

Keep your eyes on the conductor Sam!

A visit from downunder

The two Sarah's

This afternoon we said farewell to Ross' brother Bruce, his wife Jenny and their children Sarah, Anna and Ben.  They've been here for the last 10 days, and made the long trek from Australia just to visit Cyprus. It's been lovely to spend time together with family, and especially nice for the kids to reconnect.  Lots of time relaxing together, studying the intricacies of curling and ski jumping on eurosport, and also visiting different parts of the island.  Bruce, Jenny and family also managed a short side trip to Cairo, visiting the pyramids and avoiding the current civil unrest in the city!  They're now on their way back to Australia via Abu Dhabi.

Last Saturday we spent the morning out in the UN buffer zone where Angus plays soccer each week.  This included a visit to the old Nicosia international airport, which is a haunting in it's emptiness and serves as a reminder of the frozen conflict in Cyprus since 1974.  Ben was particularly intrepid and managed to get to the controls of an old abandoned Trident aircraft that still sits on the tarmac.  Later that day we crossed the border and travelled to Kyrenia.  Lunch by the harbour and then a visit to the old fortress.  It's well set up and has a very realistic torture chamber, complete with lifelike figures in various states of duress.  Not sure if the kids would go for this, but they loved it.  

Ben dreaming of flight.......!

We also spent time in the old town of Nicosia (on both the Greek and Turkish side), and the kids in particular enjoyed checking out the shops and Christmas lights.  Interestingly at one of the main crossing points between the Greek and Turkish sides, the UN buffer zone is currently the site of one of the 'occupy' protests that have occurred in other cities around the world.  Perhaps a future blog on this one.

Christmas is almost upon us, and in true Greek style Nicosia is serving up a range of faux Christmas and snow nativity scenes on many street corners.  Lights around the city are a big hit for the kids, and the park beside our house has been set up as a Christmas fair for the last few weekends, complete with fake snow, donkey rides, and a large Christmas tree which lights up at night.  The fact that the tree is surrounded by large rings of barbed wire at the base somewhat dampens the effect of a warm Christmas spirit!  So our weekends and weekdays are now full of Christmas carols in Greek and church bells every morning.  The festive season Greek style!

A visit to the mosque in North Nicosia

The two Anna's

A walk through Kyrenia

Bruce and Jenny

Uncle Bruce teaching Anna the finer points of pig shooting

Ben, Sarah and Anna in Cairo