Cyprus-Forum.com

[Adam3777]

Recently, I stayed with a friend of mine who lives near Larnaka in Cyprus. His sister lives in Lefkosia, and we drove there many times. On the way, he had shown me the flags on the mountains on the occupied area of the Turkish Cypriot flag and the flag of Turkey.

My question is:

Why are they there? Whats the point on them? All they are doing (it seems like to me) is showing off and boasting the fact to their enemy that they invaded the island, that they are proud of it, and they wish to let them remember and know about it every day.

I don't mean this to be offensive (so please don't take it in the wrong way), but my question is to the Turkish Cypriots... whats the point of the flags?

[JustAnAmerican]

Excellent question Adam. When we bring anyone from the airport to Nicosia, diplomat or US government official, their mouths just drop when they see the flags. Normally, the individual is just plainly astonished and ashamed.

Is the display of nationalism a good step toward reunification?

[cannedmoose]

My question is:

Why are they there? Whats the point on them? All they are doing (it seems like to me) is showing off and boasting the fact to their enemy that they invaded the island, that they are proud of it, and they wish to let them remember and know about it every day.

I don't mean this to be offensive (so please don't take it in the wrong way), but my question is to the Turkish Cypriots... whats the point of the flags?

Hi Adam, welcome to the forum.

You've pretty much summed up what the flags are about. Up close it's just whitewashed rocks, but as you said, when you crest the hills overlooking Nicosia, it's the first thing that catches your eye. It's effectively a 'yaa-boo sucks' to the GCs, with the Turks and extreme TCs proclaiming that they are there and will always be there. There are numerous smaller examples along the Green line as well. I've definitely seen one on a man-made hill near Aglanjia in eastern Lefkosia (I believe the hill is a lookout base for Turkish troops, it's VERY flat at the top and totally artificial).

I don't know when the flags were made. If anyone does, it would be really interesting to know. All I hope is that one day they disappear, it would be nice to think that they could be replaced with a flag in the same spot proclaiming Cypriot unity... here's hoping anyway.

[cannedmoose]

Excellent question Adam. When we bring anyone from the airport to Nicosia, diplomat or US government official, their mouths just drop when they see the flags. Normally, the individual is just plainly astonished and ashamed.

Is the display of nationalism a good step toward reunification?

I remember the first time I saw it 5 years ago, I had the same reaction. It was a stunning clear morning and it stood out like a sore thumb on the way into town. Even the Americans wouldn't go for something so brash (no offence!)

[brother]

Hi Adam and welcome to the forum,
i have no idea why they are there and i am a TC but accept the humble apology from an average TC who does not see any reason for it being there apart from maybe what you suggested and Justanamerican said.

[Turkey (( *]

Ok, and my question is why are there Greek flags on the GC side??

PS:I am not a cypriot, if these flags are just a lie, please excuse me, I am just saying what I heard on this forum...And welcome to the forum Adam 3777

[cannedmoose]

Ok, and my question is why are there Greek flags on the GC side??

PS:I am not a cypriot, if these flags are just a lie, please excuse me, I am just saying what I heard on this forum...And welcome to the forum Adam 3777

The only Greek flags on the GC side are those flying from flagpoles, they certainly can't be seen for miles and they're pretty inobtrusive unless you look for them. Nonetheless, I agree that they shouldn't be there.

[Yiannis]

Sadly all goverment buildings and schools have the Greek flag. I have publically said before in this forum that im totally against that and its ashame that no steps have been taken by the parliament to abolish the greek flag as a national symbol. For me anything other than the Cyprus and the EU flag have no place at least in goverment buildings.
However the Turkish flag on pentadaktilos is far more provocative imo than the greek flags on the poles.

[cannedmoose]

However the Turkish flag on pentadaktilos is far more provocative imo than the greek flags on the poles.

I agree, the only one that's blatant in Lefkosia is the building with a Greek flag all the way down the side. Don't know which direction it faces in, but I find it rather distasteful. It'd be like painting a massive Union Jack on a building, rather gaudy.

[Yiannis]

I agree, the only one that's blatant in Lefkosia is the building with a Greek flag all the way down the side

I dont know which building you are talking about there moose.