Cyprus

Giorgos Panayiotou, student in 1989

What was the Sense of November 9th for you in 1989?
Taking back my thoughts so many years before, there is a sense of relief and satisfaction in my mind. I come from Cyprus which since 1974 is occupied by the Turkish army and after the 9th of November 1989 Nicosia became the only divided capital in Europe. I understand that Germany and Cyprus division are two different problems. However after the Fall of the Berlin Wall I have the hope that anything is possible and one day the military barracks of Nicosia will fall and we shall live free in our land.

What is the meaning of this event today?
Here in Cyprus there is a strong Communist Party. Until 1989 the communists were trying to prove to the people of Cyprus how great communism is. However, with the fall of Berlin a new perspective was adopted here in Cyprus. People discovered all the bad things that communism can bring to people. The Fall of the Berlin Wall is for sure a great evidence that communism cannot represent and serve the people. Democracy is the idea that has proven ideal for all of us. For the Democrats here in Cyprus the fall of the wall is a great weapon in order to fight the communists and if possible to get there support as low as possible.

Which is the day you remember first from 1989?
With no doubt the day the wall fell. I was watching it on TV. A man climbed on the wall and under the song “Will Of Change” of the Scorpions chopped down the first piece of the wall.

What should be in 2039?
In my opinion 1989 is a great example that peoples wishes and actions can always outrun anything. I only hope that in 2039 my island would be free of the Turkish troops and Europe will be a strong Union were all its citizens will be able to benefit from what European Union has to offer. I really hope that in 2039 communism for my country will be just a memory as it is now for the German people.

George Tsielepos, 5 years old in 1989

What was the Iron Curtain for you?
To me, the Iron Curtain was the division of Europe in two kind of countries. The west, which were the countries that were under the influence of the north Atlantic alliance and their people were living under a great democratic system in prosperity and were developing according to the demands of that time. The East, were the countries under the influence of the Soviet Union and the people were living under the communist system which it is proven by the history that it was not serving the people. On the contrary people were servants of that system and were suffering under it. The communist system that was introduced by the Soviet Union did not had any perspective and was keeping the people way back of the development.

What means the fall of the wall 20 years later?
Although I was five years old, I cannot remember many things from the fall of the wall. However, through the years I am able to understand the meaning of it. The fall of the wall was the final strike to communism and signaled the beginning of the end for the Soviet Union. Especially in Cyprus the 9th of November was the beginning of a great effort in order to show the people of Cyprus what is the real meaning of the communism, in order to minimize the power of the Communists here in Cyprus. Today, the president of Cyprus comes from the communist party. The fall of the Berlin wall is a great weapon in our hands in order to show to people the disadvantages of the communism and that these kinds of ideas belong to the past and should be buried in the books of history.

What should be in 2039?
Today the only divided country in Europe is Cyprus. I only hope that with the efforts of our politicians and the contribution of European Union and United Nations, Turkey will be pursued to withdraw its troops from Cyprus. I wish that in 2039 there will be no wall here in Nicosia and my country will be united and free once again.