Cyprus-Forum.com

[Paphitis]

I am going to talk about multiculturalism.

I have grown up in a multicultural and cohesive country and this multiculturalism has enriched us so much. In the past, you would only call countries like the US, Canada, Australia and NZ multicultural, but the fact of the matter is that now, the entire world is becoming multicultural and so is Cyprus, Greece and just about all EU nations, in particular, France, Germany, Italy, Britain et al.

The issue is this! Are we going to change and be all inclusive within our society to include and respect new arrivals as Cypriots and engineer a society such as that which exists in Australia? Or are we going to end up like Greece, with hellfire on the streets and foreigners on the park benches, looking to mug the unsuspecting?

Make no mistake about it, with the ease that people can travel, there will be a time when other cultures will exceed in numbers both GCs and TCs combined. It is already happening. So where will this BBF sit then? Defunct it will be in time, there is no doubt.

So what are we to do?

Well, every islander, that especially includes the GCs and TCs (apologies for using these repulsive labels) NEED to be Cypriots and only Cypriots. This is what will bring us together and destroy the division. But that's not all. Every Brit and every Russian must become Cypriots. We must accept them as Cypriots! We are all Cypriots!

That is the best way Cyprus can prosper in the future, and not end up like Greece. We must engineer a society that is Cypriot. Cypriot will be multicultural, not Greek or Turkish but Cypriot and it will or should integrate others as well, including the thousands of new arrivals who will gain citizenship. Time to expand your minds people and think about the Cyprus you will leave to your kids.

That is the future we need to accept as today's reality. And I dream that Cyprus will do it far better than Australia but for that to happen we all need to be Cypriots, like those living in Australia are Australian (not British) and stop shoving Greek and Turkish flags in the other "communities" faces. There will be a time when communities cease to exist if we become Cypriots!

We need to unite as one, and that can only be achieved as Cypriots. It begins within the education system, and within 1 or 2 generations Cyprus can be a utopia.

Are we willing to grow as a Nation, or are we to stay as we are?

Do we really love Cyprus? If yes, then express your Cypriotness NOW!

[Sotos]

In Australia everybody learns English and this is the language that is used in parliament and laws are written with. No problem to have such multiculturalism. In Cyprus the language of the majority is Greek and minorities and immigrants should learn Greek so they can blend in ... like they do in Australia with English.

[Paphitis]

Oh really!

Why not learn Turkish as well? I mean honestly. If that is what it takes, why not make Turkish compulsory if it will break a few barriers? Such a small childish matter Sotos.

Cyprus better start engineering and if every person knew Cypriot and Kibrilisi, then that would be a step forward!

[Schnauzer]

I am going to talk about multiculturalism.

I have grown up in a multicultural and cohesive country and this multiculturalism has enriched us so much. In the past, you would only call countries like the US, Canada, Australia and NZ multicultural, but the fact of the matter is that now, the entire world is becoming multicultural and so is Cyprus, Greece and just about all EU nations, in particular, France, Germany, Italy, Britain et al.

The issue is this! Are we going to change and be all inclusive within our society to include and respect new arrivals as Cypriots and engineer a society such as that which exists in Australia? Or are we going to end up like Greece, with hellfire on the streets and foreigners on the park benches, looking to mug the unsuspecting?

Make no mistake about it, with the ease that people can travel, there will be a time when other cultures will exceed in numbers both GCs and TCs combined. It is already happening. So where will this BBF sit then? Defunct it will be in time, there is no doubt.

So what are we to do?

Well, every islander, that especially includes the GCs and TCs (apologies for using these repulsive labels) NEED to be Cypriots and only Cypriots. This is what will bring us together and destroy the division. But that's not all. Every Brit and every Russian must become Cypriots. We must accept them as Cypriots! We are all Cypriots!

That is the best way Cyprus can prosper in the future, and not end up like Greece. We must engineer a society that is Cypriot. Cypriot will be multicultural, not Greek or Turkish but Cypriot and it will or should integrate others as well, including the thousands of new arrivals who will gain citizenship. Time to expand your minds people and think about the Cyprus you will leave to your kids.

That is the future we need to accept as today's reality. And I dream that Cyprus will do it far better than Australia but for that to happen we all need to be Cypriots, like those living in Australia are Australian (not British) and stop shoving Greek and Turkish flags in the other "communities" faces. There will be a time when communities cease to exist if we become Cypriots!

We need to unite as one, and that can only be achieved as Cypriots. It begins within the education system, and within 1 or 2 generations Cyprus can be a utopia.

Are we willing to grow as a Nation, or are we to stay as we are?

Do we really love Cyprus? If yes, then express your Cypriotness NOW!

Whereas one cannot really dismiss your vision of a 'Multicultural' Cyprus in the years ahead, a grey area is created when you suggest that we should express our 'Cypriotness' since I am convinced that the principles of such title have suffered greatly, precisely because of the 'Multiculturalism' you envisage.

If the 'Cypriotness' you would wish us to express is that which existed in the days before political upheaval destroyed the once harmonious nature of the people of Cyprus, I wholeheartedly agree with your suggestion that Cyprus must be prepared for the influx of many nationalities BUT, there are certain provisos, the most important of these being that the new 'Cypriots' (those who choose to become citizens) understand that they TOO must adopt the same principles.

Unfortunately, as is currently visible in many parts of the world, 'Multiculturalism' seems to have imposed many principles which are unacceptable to the indigenous populations, the changes are invariably a costly decline in the standards that existed prior to the influx of settlers from other nations, the result is mostly non-beneficial. (although there ARE exceptions).

If the 'Cypriotness' you would wish us to express is that which would lend justification to the enormous amount of negative changes that have already eroded the integrity of our once 'Harmonious' country, one which would require us to emulate the 'Super Nations' you mention at the beginning of your post, then I would oppose it, since such emulation would seem (to me) to be a regression rather than a progression.

The Politicians have done a fine job here, God only knows what is in store for Cyprus in the years ahead, true 'Cypriotness' may well have been dead and buried long ago BUT, we can ALL hope. (imho)

[Sotos]

Oh really!

Why not learn Turkish as well? I mean honestly. If that is what it takes, why not make Turkish compulsory if it will break a few barriers? Such a small childish matter Sotos.

Cyprus better start engineering and if every person knew Cypriot and Kibrilisi, then that would be a step forward!

Why don't you in Australia learn the language of every minority and immigrant instead of expecting from them to learn the language of the majority? Why should Cyprus be any different from all other multicultural countries?

[Paphitis]

I am going to talk about multiculturalism.

I have grown up in a multicultural and cohesive country and this multiculturalism has enriched us so much. In the past, you would only call countries like the US, Canada, Australia and NZ multicultural, but the fact of the matter is that now, the entire world is becoming multicultural and so is Cyprus, Greece and just about all EU nations, in particular, France, Germany, Italy, Britain et al.

The issue is this! Are we going to change and be all inclusive within our society to include and respect new arrivals as Cypriots and engineer a society such as that which exists in Australia? Or are we going to end up like Greece, with hellfire on the streets and foreigners on the park benches, looking to mug the unsuspecting?

Make no mistake about it, with the ease that people can travel, there will be a time when other cultures will exceed in numbers both GCs and TCs combined. It is already happening. So where will this BBF sit then? Defunct it will be in time, there is no doubt.

So what are we to do?

Well, every islander, that especially includes the GCs and TCs (apologies for using these repulsive labels) NEED to be Cypriots and only Cypriots. This is what will bring us together and destroy the division. But that's not all. Every Brit and every Russian must become Cypriots. We must accept them as Cypriots! We are all Cypriots!

That is the best way Cyprus can prosper in the future, and not end up like Greece. We must engineer a society that is Cypriot. Cypriot will be multicultural, not Greek or Turkish but Cypriot and it will or should integrate others as well, including the thousands of new arrivals who will gain citizenship. Time to expand your minds people and think about the Cyprus you will leave to your kids.

That is the future we need to accept as today's reality. And I dream that Cyprus will do it far better than Australia but for that to happen we all need to be Cypriots, like those living in Australia are Australian (not British) and stop shoving Greek and Turkish flags in the other "communities" faces. There will be a time when communities cease to exist if we become Cypriots!

We need to unite as one, and that can only be achieved as Cypriots. It begins within the education system, and within 1 or 2 generations Cyprus can be a utopia.

Are we willing to grow as a Nation, or are we to stay as we are?

Do we really love Cyprus? If yes, then express your Cypriotness NOW!

Whereas one cannot really dismiss your vision of a 'Multicultural' Cyprus in the years ahead, a grey area is created when you suggest that we should express our 'Cypriotness' since I am convinced that the principles of such title have suffered greatly, precisely because of the 'Multiculturalism' you envisage.

If the 'Cypriotness' you would wish us to express is that which existed in the days before political upheaval destroyed the once harmonious nature of the people of Cyprus, I wholeheartedly agree with your suggestion that Cyprus must be prepared for the influx of many nationalities BUT, there are certain provisos, the most important of these being that the new 'Cypriots' (those who choose to become citizens) understand that they TOO must adopt the same principles.

Unfortunately, as is currently visible in many parts of the world, 'Multiculturalism' seems to have imposed many principles which are unacceptable to the indigenous populations, the changes are invariably a costly decline in the standards that existed prior to the influx of settlers from other nations, the result is mostly non-beneficial. (although there ARE exceptions).

If the 'Cypriotness' you would wish us to express is that which would lend justification to the enormous amount of negative changes that have already eroded the integrity of our once 'Harmonious' country, one which would require us to emulate the 'Super Nations' you mention at the beginning of your post, then I would oppose it, since such emulation would seem (to me) to be a regression rather than a progression.

The Politicians have done a fine job here, God only knows what is in store for Cyprus in the years ahead, true 'Cypriotness' may well have been dead and buried long ago BUT, we can ALL hope. (imho)

Yes, I envisage going back to the bonds that existed prior to any upheaval, but I also envisage integrating others that have and will arrive in Cyprus. As to deteriorating your standards, well that will depend on many factors, but my experience is that our multicultural has enriched us because our society has been engineered in a way that integrates everyone.

Integrate because if you do not then you will end up with all sorts of problems!

[Paphitis]

Oh really!

Why not learn Turkish as well? I mean honestly. If that is what it takes, why not make Turkish compulsory if it will break a few barriers? Such a small childish matter Sotos.

Cyprus better start engineering and if every person knew Cypriot and Kibrilisi, then that would be a step forward!

Why don't you in Australia learn the language of every minority and immigrant instead of expecting from them to learn the language of the majority? Why should Cyprus be any different from all other multicultural countries?

Because in Australia we didn't fuck up and want Union with Britain, thus causing havoc, and our mother did not make any double union deals with New Zealand!

If you were not so fucking stupid, then you wouldn't have to. But the horse has bolted now!

Capish?

[Sotos]

Oh really!

Why not learn Turkish as well? I mean honestly. If that is what it takes, why not make Turkish compulsory if it will break a few barriers? Such a small childish matter Sotos.

Cyprus better start engineering and if every person knew Cypriot and Kibrilisi, then that would be a step forward!

Why don't you in Australia learn the language of every minority and immigrant instead of expecting from them to learn the language of the majority? Why should Cyprus be any different from all other multicultural countries?

Because in Australia we didn't fuck up and want Union with Britain, thus causing havoc, and our mother did not make any double union deals with New Zealand!

If you were not so fucking stupid, then you wouldn't have to. But the horse has bolted now!

Capish?

So if majority of Australians did want to be part of UK what havoc would be caused? What havoc is caused because Wales and Scotland are part of UK? You are talking out of your ass as usual And I don't have to learn Turkish ... I only learn languages that I want to. But you HAD to learn English and assimilate and you became a foreigner. Accept it!

[Paphitis]

Accept what? I am a foreigner where?

In Australia or Cyprus? Please explain why I am a foreigner in either?

You can play any childish games at Cyprus' expense, but fact remains that any reasonable person in this world would see the adoption of Kibrilisi and Cypriot by all Christians and all Muslims to be a very positive step and only an idiot would disagree!

It looks like you are the foreigner! Accept it! Because you are unwilling to behave in a manner which is of benefit to the island you claim and wish to deny me all because you disagree with my views and feel threatened by anything Cypriot and will even destroy it so you can call yourself a "Greek".

[GreekIslandGirl]

It is time for change - time to express Cypriotness

You are the only one who needs to change to become Cypriot - if that were possible.

Trial and error is your adopted method since you do not feel what comes naturally to the majority natives of Cyprus who are not ashamed of their Greek language, customs, religion and inheritance. What is more, you do not support the RoC and its chosen alliances but try to ridicule us and our sister EU states - as the Imperialists persist in so doing to sow the seeds of isolation for continued manipulation.

You are too far removed; by birth, continent and culture - and you lack the fortitude required for the native Cypriot identity - which is Greek.