20.9 C
Nicosia
Thursday, March 28, 2024

The before and now of Famagusta through the eyes of Xenia Pappas

Must read

& Tau; & omicron; & pi; & rho; & iota; & nu; & kappa; & alpha; & iota; & tau; & tau; ; & tau; ώ & rho; & alpha; & tau; & eta; & sigmaf; & Alpha; & mu; & mu; & omicron; & chi; ώ & sigma; & tau; & omicron; & upsilon; & mu; έ & sigma; & alpha; & alpha; & pi; ό & tau; & alpha; & mu; ά & tau; & iota; & alpha; & tau; & eta; & sigmaf; & Xi; έ & nu; & iota; & alpha; & sigmaf; & Pi; & alpha; & pi; & pi; ά

Growing up in a cosmopolitan atmosphere with refined aesthetics, with different and advanced events of the time, with a flourishing culture, theaters, music, painting and a different economic level, it is difficult to adapt to the harsh reality of uprooting, even with the end. almost half a century. Perhaps for these special peculiarities, the people of Varosi rightly have a special relationship with their city. It is not just the separation from the city where they were born, it is the separation from a special and distinct city that flourished and flourished until the catastrophe of 1974.

Every time you talk to a Varosian, you realize even more the glamor of the city as they convey to every touch and every word its beauties. Xenia Pappa, a bride from Famagusta, a child of a family of four, takes us through her conversation in “P” to the once cosmopolitan Famagusta, but also to the occupied part of today.

Mrs. Xenias, is located in the Holy Zone of Famagusta and specifically in Pygmalionos Street. Her house is visible, both in the open part of the enclosed area and from the road around the barbed wire.

It is noted that the district of Agia Zoni, has been removed from the status of the military zone, by the occupying authorities and belongs to the area under negotiation to open.

 & Tau; & omicron; & pi; & rho; & iota; & nu; & kappa; & alpha; & iota; & tau; & omicron; & tau; օ & ru; & eta; & sigmaf; & Alpha; & mu; & mu; & omicron; & chi; ώ & sigma; & tau; & omicron; & upsilon; & mu; έ & sigma; & alpha; & alpha; & pi; ό & tau; & alpha; & mu; ά & tau; & iota; & alpha; & tau; & eta; sigma ; & Xi; έ & nu; & iota; & alpha; & sigmaf; & Pi; & alpha; & pi; & pi; ά

Visitor in Limassol

Mrs. Xenia, a refugee from the age of 12, declares that she is in love with her city and often visits it to feel the joy and satisfaction of her childhood again. When we asked her if she often goes to Famagusta, she answered with a smile “somewhere I come to Limassol”, in the city where she lives today.

“Passing through the roadblock and heading to Famagusta, I become myself. “I have an unspeakable joy that ends as soon as I get out of the roadblock,” he says. Mrs. Xenia's house is located at a distance of about 50 meters from the (new) fence. “When I visit him, I like talking to him. I do this to remind you that there is life and I feel that in this way I bring it back to life. “

From the first day of the opening of the roadblocks (2003), Mrs. Xenia had the longing and the anxiety to visit the city where she grew up and lived her “rich” childhood years. “As soon as it was announced that the roadblocks would open, we went from three in the morning and waited until noon to go to Varosi.” Despite the fact that 29 years have passed since the uprooting, but also her childhood that she had taken refuge in, Mrs. Xenia remembered how to get home. “Until the opening of the roadblocks, for a strange reason, at night I tried to recall the images from Famagusta and especially those from my neighborhood.”

& Tau; & omicron; & pi; & rho; & iota; & nu; & kappa; & alpha; & iota; & tau; tau; & omic ώ & rho; & alpha; & tau; & eta; & sigmaf; & Alpha; & mu; & mu; & omicron; & chi; ώ & sigma; & tau; & omicron; & upsilon; & mu; έ & sigma; & alpha; & alpha; & pi; ό & tau; & alpha; & mu; ά & tau; & iota; ; & tau; & eta; & sigmaf; & Xi; έ & nu; & iota; & alpha; & sigmaf; & Pi; & alpha; & pi; & pi; ά

Κοσμοπολίτισσα

Life in Famagusta was evolving in a more cosmopolitan context, compared to the other cities of Cyprus, having to show a rich cultural work, produced by a progressive society. Sports, dance and ballet, which Mrs. Xenia followed, and various other hobbies were among the habits of the Famagusta people.

“I believe that Famagusta was evolving on a cosmopolitan basis. “Different outfits, different approach, a lot of sports and many other activities”, said Ms. Xenia. For example, at the Famagusta Nautical Club, enough people gathered in the city to discuss political events and sporting events. “Through this, the concept of socialization and collectivity was created.” He stressed that it would not be an exaggeration to say that it was a lovable city. Besides, Nikos Kazantzakis himself had spoken about her erotic touch. “There is nothing in the world that gives me the feeling of a woman as much as Famagusta. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth. “I would not want to die before I go to Famagusta again,” he said.

Everyday life

There was a uniformity and a team spirit in the neighborhood where Mrs. Xenia grew up. “It was a beautiful event in the neighborhood and we felt free. There was an equality. In other words, there was no approach as to who would be better than the other and who would win. That's why the games we kids always played in groups. “

In the afternoons, the children often visited the Library of Famagusta. “We came in contact with books, with newspapers, but also with discipline. In other words, it was a second school for us “.

The sea was always in the center of the inhabitants of Famagusta. “Swimming was a daily occurrence in the summers, where the beach was flooded with people, both locals and foreigners.”

He also remembers that day trips to the countryside were common. “Many of us from the city escaped on the weekends to the villages of Famagusta and it was a special joy for all of us.”

“Our life was a celebration”

In Famagusta, various events took place such as, for example, the celebration of the Orange, the Flood and the Flower Festival. “Our life was an endless celebration. In Anthestiria, I remember there was a ritual for them. The preparations lasted for days and I remember the choice of clothes was one of the main ones, at least for me “.

“We had seen many spectacles, probably not in the rest of Cyprus.” Events coming from abroad were often frequent. Competitions with speed boats, rally races, motorcycle demonstrations, enriched the life of the people of Varos.

The life of Mrs. Xenia's family took place in the city center, as she maintained a souvenir shop on the busy Kennedy Avenue. “We spent many hours in the city center and that made us more social, I think, because of our contact with the bazaar.”

She feels betrayed Xenia feels betrayed by the approach of the Cyprus problem by the Republic of Cyprus. “I am terribly angry with the Greek Cypriots who deal with the invasion in this way and how they approach the refugees. The parties have turned their backs on us. I love my land and the fact that I have not always had a longing to return. ” At the same time, he stated that he has no hopes for a solution to the Cyprus problem. “I am very afraid that everything is over and the e/k side has also contributed to this with its timeless policies.”

Source: politis.com.cy

- Advertisement -AliExpress WW

More articles

- Advertisement -AliExpress WW

Latest article