Cyprus-Forum.com

[cymart]

The former Greek-Cypriot inhabitants of Kondea,now called Turkmenkoy,not only remember their village but in co-operation with the Turkish -Cypriots who now live there and who originated from Ayios Thomas and Plataniskia near Evdhimou in Limassol district,are re-buidling a historical church and other monuments in Kondea.There will be a special ceremony on Sunday attended by a number of dignitaries,including the U.S. Ambassador.......if only more people just ignored the politicians and went ahead with their own initiatives,maybe the 'flood gates of kindness' suggested in another posting,might finally open,just like the Berlin wall in 1989??
By the way,does anyone know where the T.C's from Alekhtora went to?
I met some from Paramali and Evdhimou in Kalopsida years ago.......
Unfortunately,I doubt if this initiative would have worked if they had chosen a village occupied by mainland settlers!I know someone from Tavros who went there a couple of times after 2003 and found the people now living there not only dirty and primitive, but also unfriendly and some were openly hostile,including teenage children he tried to be friendly to!

[Viewpoint]

The TCs from Alektora went to Yeşilyurt on the way to Lefke.

[Nikitas]

I am puzzled by these types of events. What is the meaning of rebuilding a church in a place curently occupied by Moslems? Is it to remind them of their lack of legitimacy? To keep some hope alive in those that do or finance the rebuilding?

Is there any reciprocation, ie the former inhabitants of the TC villages in the south get to refurbish the mosques they left behind in 1974? I really am genuinely confused as to how this sort of initiative would lead to better relations and more understanding.

[cymart]

Kondea is one of the villages scheduled to be returned to the G.C's in most plans that have been submitted for a solution but whether the T.C's who live there now would want to come back to this side is another question.....Plataniskia and Ayios Thomas are actually in a lovely area and if they knew the price of land in Pissouri nowadays maybe they would consider it!!Alekhtora is surrounded by vineyards but Lefke is also very green and fertile...
Does anyone know what has happened to Galini(Omerli)?Why is it abandoned?

[Nikitas]

No offence meant to anyone from Kondea, it was kind of abysmal when I knew it. The only good thing about it was the phenomenally smooth tarmac on its road (old Nicosia road) which encouraged all kinds of speeding offences. Obviously Plataniskia and Ayios Thomas must make the TCs who live there now feel nostalgic.

I remember those villages on the Nicosia road so well- Akheritou, Kondea, Kalopsida, Lysi, Vatyli, Assia, Afania. Lysi being in the middle was the most "developed" because it was a coffee stop in the long journey, all 38 miles of it!

[YFred]

Kondea is one of the villages scheduled to be returned to the G.C's in most plans that have been submitted for a solution but whether the T.C's who live there now would want to come back to this side is another question.....Plataniskia and Ayios Thomas are actually in a lovely area and if they knew the price of land in Pissouri nowadays maybe they would consider it!!Alekhtora is surrounded by vineyards but Lefke is also very green and fertile...
Does anyone know what has happened to Galini(Omerli)?Why is it abandoned?

If there is peace and roc shows its teeth in dealing with their fascists, more TCs will quickly gain their confidence and move to the GC sector. I have no doubt about that.

We look forward to the day when it happens.

[BirKibrisli]

I am puzzled by these types of events. What is the meaning of rebuilding a church in a place curently occupied by Moslems? Is it to remind them of their lack of legitimacy? To keep some hope alive in those that do or finance the rebuilding?

Is there any reciprocation, ie the former inhabitants of the TC villages in the south get to refurbish the mosques they left behind in 1974? I really am genuinely confused as to how this sort of initiative would lead to better relations and more understanding.

Simple,Nikitas...Instead of tearing down and blowing up each others religious symbols,people are now cooperating in rebuilding or restoring them...That surely would lead to improved goodwill and appreciation and dare I say respect and trust...

[Gasman]

The Sultan Hala Tekke Mosque, on the shore of the Larnaca Salt Lake has been restored and is kept in perfect condition. It is a very important Islamic site and pilgrimages are made to it regularly.

There was supposed to be some reciprocal agreement for the Andreas Apostolos Monastery in the North to also be restored but it is in appalling condition.

However, I have read that the Greek Orthodox Church has been the stumbling block where that is concerned - not giving permission for the restorations or whatever.

[BirKibrisli]

The Sultan Hala Tekke Mosque, on the shore of the Larnaca Salt Lake has been restored and is kept in perfect condition. It is a very important Islamic site and pilgrimages are made to it regularly.

There was supposed to be some reciprocal agreement for the Andreas Apostolos Monastery in the North to also be restored but it is in appalling condition.

However, I have read that the Greek Orthodox Church has been the stumbling block where that is concerned - not giving permission for the restorations or whatever.

Ah...The Greek Orthodox Church........Weren't they the ones that organised the infamous ENOSIS referandum in 1950??? And the ones that blessed EOKA's terrorist activities??? Where would we be without them!!!