Cyprus-Forum.com

[lola-tulip]

didn't the tcs attacked the armenians in nicosia, and threw them out of their houses?...

No, not at all. They were like brothers. The first Turkish newspaper in Cyprus was a joint Armenian Turkish Cypriot venture.

Do you make a habit of denying the enactments of slaughter and genocide on all your 'brothers'?

[Omer Seyhan]

didn't the tcs attacked the armenians in nicosia, and threw them out of their houses?...

No, not at all. They were like brothers. The first Turkish newspaper in Cyprus was a joint Armenian Turkish Cypriot venture.

Do you make a habit of denying the enactments of slaughter and genocide on all your 'brothers'?

Bollocks, there was no such thing in Cyprus. Maybe in Anatolia but not Cyprus. Cypriots dont know what genocide is. We just exaggerate everything bad that happened but in the greater wider scheme of things it is nothing compared to Darfur / Rwanda.

[lola-tulip]

didn't the tcs attacked the armenians in nicosia, and threw them out of their houses?...

No, not at all. They were like brothers. The first Turkish newspaper in Cyprus was a joint Armenian Turkish Cypriot venture.

Do you make a habit of denying the enactments of slaughter and genocide on all your 'brothers'?

Bollocks, there was no such thing in Cyprus. Maybe in Anatolia but not Cyprus. Cypriots dont know what genocide is. We just exaggerate everything bad that happened but in the greater wider scheme of things it is nothing compared to Darfur / Rwanda.

Mea maxima culpa. But, you mentioned "Turkish newspapers".

[Omer Seyhan]

A Turkish language newspaper is what I meant re. I have copies of this newspaper at home. The Armenians were useful as they spoke Standard Turkish better, the Turkish Cypriots in the early 20th century were about 15% Cypriot-Turkish speaking (of which 2% spoke Standard Turkish) while 85% were Cypriot-Greek speaking.

[denizaksulu]

didn't the tcs attacked the armenians in nicosia, and threw them out of their houses?...

No, not at all. They were like brothers. The first Turkish newspaper in Cyprus was a joint Armenian Turkish Cypriot venture.

You need to learna lot ÖS. Many of our Armenian friends and neighbours were murdered (by the TMT) and terrorised to leaving the KÖŞKLÜ ÇİFTLİK area of Nicosia in 1963 (21-27 December to be exact) I saw the bodies in front of the British High Commisioners Residence. One was the local baker. They were only removed during a lull in the fighting. God knows what happened to others especially to those living SURLAR ÜSTÜ near the TC leaders 'palace'; amongst who was a goldsmith who made wedding rings for my family for generations.

[lola-tulip]

I am clear. The Armenians helped you, with your native Turkish tongue.

In that case, my original question still stands.

[Edit: This is for OP.]

[Omer Seyhan]

didn't the tcs attacked the armenians in nicosia, and threw them out of their houses?...

No, not at all. They were like brothers. The first Turkish newspaper in Cyprus was a joint Armenian Turkish Cypriot venture.

You need to learna lot ÖS. Many of our Armenian friends and neighbours were murdered (by the TMT) and terrorised to leaving the KÖŞKLÜ ÇİFTLİK area of Nicosia in 1963 (21-27 December to be exact) I saw the bodies in front of the British High Commisioners Residence. One was the local baker. They were only removed during a lull in the fighting. God knows what happened to others especially to those living SURLAR ÜSTÜ near the TC leaders 'palace'; amongst who was a goldsmith who made wedding rings for my family for generations.

According to my Armenian friends including the author of a study on the Cypriot Armenians, relations between T/Cs and A/Cs were very good if not excellent.

[Omer Seyhan]

I am clear. The Armenians helped you, with your native Turkish tongue.

In that case, my original question still stands.

[Edit: This is for OP.]

OP? Is this for me? I already answered. I have heard relations were good from Armenians - I have no reason to suspect otherwise. But dont take my word for it, ask the older Armenians who lived through in that neighbourhood / consult studies on the subject in question.

There is no evidence for such a slaughter. This is just propaganda.

[halil]

Armenian and Turkish Cypriots relation ship by Alkan Chaglar from:

http://www.azad-hye.net/article/article ... re=172js59



Although the Armeno-Turkish conflict in Anatolia left many bitter memories, Cypriot Armenians enjoyed closer ties with the Turkish Cypriots than with other Cypriots. Whatever transpired in Anatolia had no bearing on their relations with Turkish Cypriots. Both were Turkish speaking; Armenians had arrived in Cyprus from Southern and Eastern Anatolia and their culture and traditions were Turkish. From their names one can clearly see the centuries long experience of living with Turks, Bichakjian (Bicakcioglu), Ouzunian (Uzunoglu), and even Shishmanian (Sismanoglu) -ian denotes ‘son of’ in Armenian. Often these names have a geographical origin, so a family from Antep would be Antepian, or it would suggest noble ancestry or a profession or physical trait, such as Karagozian (blackeyed) or Boyatzian (painter). They may also have Muslim and Turkic names, Azizian, Turfanian and even Osmanian.
In Cyprus, they not only established their businesses among the Turkish Cypriots but built friendships with them and exchanged visits to each other’s homes. Even though the Greeks formed the majority of Cyprus’ population, the Armenians had more contact with Turkish Cypriots, as few of them spoke Greek. They already knew Turkish as a mother tongue and most of them continued to converse in Turkish on the island, in order to communicate among themselves and with their Turkish Cypriot neighbours. Often it was necessary to tell certain stories, anecdotes or jokes within the family in Turkish, as they sounded better in that language.



Like Turkish Cypriots, Armenians have a similar passion for Bastirma (a traditional dried spicy sausage) and Soujouk, which the newly arrived Armenians would sell. Unaware of prejudice they made good business from transporting their Anatolian delights to Cypriot kitchens. While the elders worked, their children would happily play games in the streets, and by evening they would sleep in each other’s arms. Even the odd Armenian –Turkish Cypriot love story was not uncommon.

Many Turkish Cypriots like my grandparents have fond memories of coexistence with Armenians, but also with Greeks and Maronites. At their annual village Panayia, in Ayios Theodoros, similar to the Feria, a village festival in Southern France, many of the confectioners who made the tastiest sweet and sticky treats, and many of the regular tradesmen and shopkeepers in the old city with whom the Turkish Cypriots dealt with on a day to day basis were Armenians.



By the 1950s the Armenians founds themselves caught in the middle of inter-communal conflict in Cyprus. Sue Pattie, recounts a story in her book “ Faith in history”, when during the peak of Greco-Turkish conflict, an Armenian risked their lives to help their Turkish neighbours by sheltering them in their home after a rumour of an imminent attack by militiamen. “One Turkish family that lived just on the river’s edge came to us and asked if we would protect them for the night. We were Armenians and we wouldn’t be attacked (by the Greeks). They were very good neighbours. The mother had stayed with me when my father was dying. The boys used to play together, how could we say no?”

Many Armenians reacted to the troubles by emigrating abroad. Many went to Australia and Britain.



Engaged in the invidious task of discussing Armeno-Turkish relations, an issue seldom brought to people’s attention, it seems the two peoples have enjoyed a special relationship on the island. This could be used to Cyprus’ advantage if we are to seek a lasting peace. Even if one considers the historical; dimensions of the Armenian Question, it would be incongruent with the truth to suggest that Armeno-Turkish relations in Cyprus were poor, amid the political problems this would be an easy assumption to make. But memories like this remind us that they were often amicable and at times even brotherly.

Good article, thanks

Omer, I am 53 years old till i join this forum i never heard that TC's had problem with Armenians. Some how bloody politics and bloody benefits of others are making to many mess about and some idiots likes to spread hate between races for their own interest and political goals as far as i can see. Lots of Armenians lives just other side of the divided green line of Ledra street. at lots of occasion i met some of those people who were living around Arabahmet and lokmaci area they are not talking like what some are trying us to believe that there was animosity between Armenians and TC's. They always talk how they were friendly before 63 and how things are changed very rapidly. Yes it is correct % 99 percent of those people i met, they speak good Turkish language.

[Omer Seyhan]

Armenian and Turkish Cypriots relation ship by Alkan Chaglar from:

http://www.azad-hye.net/article/article ... re=172js59



Although the Armeno-Turkish conflict in Anatolia left many bitter memories, Cypriot Armenians enjoyed closer ties with the Turkish Cypriots than with other Cypriots. Whatever transpired in Anatolia had no bearing on their relations with Turkish Cypriots. Both were Turkish speaking; Armenians had arrived in Cyprus from Southern and Eastern Anatolia and their culture and traditions were Turkish. From their names one can clearly see the centuries long experience of living with Turks, Bichakjian (Bicakcioglu), Ouzunian (Uzunoglu), and even Shishmanian (Sismanoglu) -ian denotes ‘son of’ in Armenian. Often these names have a geographical origin, so a family from Antep would be Antepian, or it would suggest noble ancestry or a profession or physical trait, such as Karagozian (blackeyed) or Boyatzian (painter). They may also have Muslim and Turkic names, Azizian, Turfanian and even Osmanian.
In Cyprus, they not only established their businesses among the Turkish Cypriots but built friendships with them and exchanged visits to each other’s homes. Even though the Greeks formed the majority of Cyprus’ population, the Armenians had more contact with Turkish Cypriots, as few of them spoke Greek. They already knew Turkish as a mother tongue and most of them continued to converse in Turkish on the island, in order to communicate among themselves and with their Turkish Cypriot neighbours. Often it was necessary to tell certain stories, anecdotes or jokes within the family in Turkish, as they sounded better in that language.



Like Turkish Cypriots, Armenians have a similar passion for Bastirma (a traditional dried spicy sausage) and Soujouk, which the newly arrived Armenians would sell. Unaware of prejudice they made good business from transporting their Anatolian delights to Cypriot kitchens. While the elders worked, their children would happily play games in the streets, and by evening they would sleep in each other’s arms. Even the odd Armenian –Turkish Cypriot love story was not uncommon.

Many Turkish Cypriots like my grandparents have fond memories of coexistence with Armenians, but also with Greeks and Maronites. At their annual village Panayia, in Ayios Theodoros, similar to the Feria, a village festival in Southern France, many of the confectioners who made the tastiest sweet and sticky treats, and many of the regular tradesmen and shopkeepers in the old city with whom the Turkish Cypriots dealt with on a day to day basis were Armenians.



By the 1950s the Armenians founds themselves caught in the middle of inter-communal conflict in Cyprus. Sue Pattie, recounts a story in her book “ Faith in history”, when during the peak of Greco-Turkish conflict, an Armenian risked their lives to help their Turkish neighbours by sheltering them in their home after a rumour of an imminent attack by militiamen. “One Turkish family that lived just on the river’s edge came to us and asked if we would protect them for the night. We were Armenians and we wouldn’t be attacked (by the Greeks). They were very good neighbours. The mother had stayed with me when my father was dying. The boys used to play together, how could we say no?”

Many Armenians reacted to the troubles by emigrating abroad. Many went to Australia and Britain.



Engaged in the invidious task of discussing Armeno-Turkish relations, an issue seldom brought to people’s attention, it seems the two peoples have enjoyed a special relationship on the island. This could be used to Cyprus’ advantage if we are to seek a lasting peace. Even if one considers the historical; dimensions of the Armenian Question, it would be incongruent with the truth to suggest that Armeno-Turkish relations in Cyprus were poor, amid the political problems this would be an easy assumption to make. But memories like this remind us that they were often amicable and at times even brotherly.

Good article, thanks

Omer, I am 53 years old till i join this forum i never heard that TC's had problem with Armenians. Some how bloody politics and bloody benefits of others are making to many mess about and some idiots likes to spread hate between races for their own interest and political goals as far as i can see. Lots of Armenians lives just other side of the divided green line of Ledra street. at lots of occasion i met some of those people who were living around Arabahmet and lokmaci area they are not talking like what some are trying us to believe that there was animosity between Armenians and TC's. They always talk how they were friendly before 63 and how things are changed very rapidly. Yes it is correct % 99 percent of those people i met, they speak good Turkish language.

Yes its true I heard after 63 they left but "forced out at gun point" "massacres" - No, this is not true - they left what had become an enclave due to heightened tensions between the paramilitaries of the G/C and T/C community. In fact many crossed over after 63 to collect their belongings, invited by their neighbours.