Cypriot nationalism

Flag of Cyprus

Cypriot nationalism, also known as Cypriotism, refers to one of the nationalisms of Cyprus, focusing on the shared identity of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, highlighting their common culture, heritage, traditions and economic, political and social rights.[1] Cypriot nationalism supports the reunification of Cyprus and the end of foreign interference (by Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom).[1] Cypriotism tends to be anti-British, anti-Greece and anti-Turkey, arguing that these nations have historically and currently are working against the interest of the Cyprus nation, its independence and its people

Development and support

Originally, the idea of a common "Cypriot identity" was viewed very suspiciously by both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots; it was seen as an attempt by the British rulers of Cyprus to create an artificial identity for the island's inhabitants, in order to perpetuate their rule.[2]

However, with the rise of the internationalist ideas of both liberalism and the political Left, variants of a Cypriot identity began to be cultivated and espoused by native Cypriot political groups (both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot), most notably the Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL),[3] the liberal United Democrats[1] and organisations like the World Union of Turkish-speaking Cypriots.[4] The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, which followed a coup d’état in Cyprus ordered by the military junta in Greece, led to a revival of Cypriot nationalism.[5]

Opposition to Cypriotism

Cypriotism is strongly opposed by both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot nationalists.[2][5]

Among Greek Cypriots identifying as Greeks above all else, the central political slogan has always been "Cyprus is Greek".[5] Political parties such as DIKO, EDEK and the Greek nationalist wing of DISY, as well as the Church of Cyprus, dismiss Cypriotism as a betrayal of Greek history and identity, and a sell-out to foreign interests who wish for Cyprus to submit to Turkish aggression.[6]

Among Turkish Cypriots, the idea of Cypriotism was vociferously rejected by the long-serving Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktaş,[2] who believed that "in Cyprus there are Greeks and Turks", and that "the only true Cypriot is the Cyprus donkey".[7][2] Accordingly, UBP, the political party founded by him, believes that Cypriot nationalism is a Greek ploy to subjugate and assimilate Turkish Cypriots.

Adoption of aspects of Cypriotism by some Greek Cypriot nationalists

President Tassos Papadopoulos, generally seen as a Greek nationalist, can be said to have adopted a strategy of Cypriot nationalism (called "a strategy of osmosis" by him) by which he offered individual benefits to Turkish Cypriots (such as Republic of Cyprus passports, free medical care, employment opportunities etc.) while at the same time maintaining a very hard line towards the (internationally unrecognised) breakaway Turkish Cypriot administration. Thus Papadopoulos hoped to cultivate an allegiance to the Government of Cyprus among some Turkish Cypriots, and exacerbate the already existing tensions between the Turkish Cypriots and the Turkish settlers in Northern Cyprus.[8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Colin Hay; Anand Menon (18 January 2007). European Politics. OUP Oxford. p. 125. ISBN 978-0-19-928428-3.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Vamik Volkan, Cyprus: War and Adaptation
  3. ↑ Anastasiou, Maria (2007). "The Institutionalization of Protracted Ethnic Conflicts: A Discourse Analysis of "The Cyprus Problem"". ProQuest: 129. ISBN 9780549209935. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  4. ↑ Aldrich, Alan (17 August 2018). "Cypriotism in the Twenty-First Century". Bella Caledonia. Scotland. Archived from the original on 21 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 Mirca Madianou (12 November 2012). Mediating the Nation. Routledge. p. 40. ISBN 978-1-136-61105-6.
  6. ↑ Carl Waldman and Catherine Mason, Encyclopedia of European Peoples, 2006, pp. 194-195
  7. ↑ The Guardian, Rauf Denktash obituary
  8. ↑ Nathalie Tocci, The Cyprus Stalemate: What Next?

Further reading

  • Leonard W. Doob (June 1986). "Cypriot Patriotism and Nationalism". The Journal of Conflict Resolution. Sage Publications, Inc. 30 (2): 383–396. JSTOR 174259.


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