Cyprus-Forum.com

[Sotos]

ISMET GUNEY, the Turkish Cypriot artist and teacher who designed the Cyprus flag is seeking payment from the government, 46 years after Archbishop Makarios chose his design to represent the new Republic of Cyprus.

According to reports in the Turkish Cypriot press yesterday Guney claims that Makarios promised him £20 a year for designing the flag but he was never paid.

It was not reported whether Guney had ever approached Makarios or received payment between 1960 and 1974, when the Turkish invasion divided the island.

He now wants his money plus compensation for copyright usage.

The total by now would amount to £920 after 46 years. The article did not say if he would be seeking an inflation-adjusted sum, which would bring the total much higher.

The reports said Guney had hired a Greek Cypriot law firm to push his case but it did not specify which one. His lawyers have already sent a letter to President Tasssos Papadopoulos giving him ten days to respond and meet the payment. If he receives no reply Guney said he was prepared to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights.

Guney’s designed flag was adopted on August 16, 1960. It features a map of the island, with two olive branches underneath as a symbol of peace on a white background. Cyprus is the only country to display its map on its official flag.

The flag of Cyprus was selected by Makarios after Guney submitted his proposal along with a message from then vice-president Fazil K???k. Both the Greek blue and Turkish red were avoided at the time.

The Cyprus flag is only used by Greek Cypriots. A new flag was designed under the terms of the Annan Plan. Unlike the current official flag, this version consciously incorporates colours representing Greece and Turkey.

Responding to the reports yesterday, left-wing AKEL spokesman Andros Kyprianou said that if such an agreement existed between Guney and Makarios it should be looked into by the government.

I think they should give the guy his £920 anyways. He did a good job with our flag i think!

[RichardB]

I read this article also

the headline to the article says £20 a MONTH but the editorial £20 a year do you know which one is correct

If its the first the guy is owed £11,040 !! + interest

[Damsi]

The website says 20 per month but the paper itself says 20 per year. It's probably per year as 20 pounds per month back then would have been a lot of money.

[andri_cy]

ISMET GUNEY, the Turkish Cypriot artist and teacher who designed the Cyprus flag is seeking payment from the government, 46 years after Archbishop Makarios chose his design to represent the new Republic of Cyprus.

According to reports in the Turkish Cypriot press yesterday Guney claims that Makarios promised him £20 a year for designing the flag but he was never paid.

It was not reported whether Guney had ever approached Makarios or received payment between 1960 and 1974, when the Turkish invasion divided the island.

He now wants his money plus compensation for copyright usage.

The total by now would amount to £920 after 46 years. The article did not say if he would be seeking an inflation-adjusted sum, which would bring the total much higher.

The reports said Guney had hired a Greek Cypriot law firm to push his case but it did not specify which one. His lawyers have already sent a letter to President Tasssos Papadopoulos giving him ten days to respond and meet the payment. If he receives no reply Guney said he was prepared to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights.

Guney’s designed flag was adopted on August 16, 1960. It features a map of the island, with two olive branches underneath as a symbol of peace on a white background. Cyprus is the only country to display its map on its official flag.

The flag of Cyprus was selected by Makarios after Guney submitted his proposal along with a message from then vice-president Fazil K???k. Both the Greek blue and Turkish red were avoided at the time.

The Cyprus flag is only used by Greek Cypriots. A new flag was designed under the terms of the Annan Plan. Unlike the current official flag, this version consciously incorporates colours representing Greece and Turkey.

Responding to the reports yesterday, left-wing AKEL spokesman Andros Kyprianou said that if such an agreement existed between Guney and Makarios it should be looked into by the government.

I think they should give the guy his £920 anyways. He did a good job with our flag i think!

He should be paid more than 920. He did design the flag. It is his drawing and he should be paid. Even if it is 30,000 or more.

[michalis5354]

Am I the only one who does not like the current Cy flag? not because it was designed by a TC but because it is very simple and white colour is everywhere . And the shape of Cyprus in a flag does not fit well ! I prefer simple lines or other symbols!

[cypezokyli]

for sure its better than the AP one

[Natty]

I love the flag, it's vrey unique and symbolic!

[andri_cy]

Am I the only one who does not like the current Cy flag? not because it was designed by a TC but because it is very simple and white colour is everywhere . And the shape of Cyprus in a flag does not fit well ! I prefer simple lines or other symbols!

What are you talking about ? how does the shape of Cyprus not fit in a flag? At least if you are going to give a reason why you do not like it, make it make sense. We are if not the only country one of few that has the shape of the country on their flag. That makes it unique, symbolic and memorable. A flag is not decoration so we can throw a bunvh of colours on it. It is a symbol.

[michalis5354]

What are you talking about ? how does the shape of Cyprus not fit in a flag? At least if you are going to give a reason why you do not like it, make it make sense. We are if not the only country one of few that has the shape of the country on their flag. That makes it unique, symbolic and memorable. A flag is not decoration so we can throw a bunvh of colours on it. It is a symbol.

You cant force me to like the flag. I gave a reason that it is full of white and a shape of the island in the middle making it a simple design.

[RichardB]

Am I the only one who does not like the current Cy flag? not because it was designed by a TC but because it is very simple and white colour is everywhere . And the shape of Cyprus in a flag does not fit well ! I prefer simple lines or other symbols!

What are you talking about ? how does the shape of Cyprus not fit in a flag? At least if you are going to give a reason why you do not like it, make it make sense. We are if not the only country one of few that has the shape of the country on their flag. That makes it unique, symbolic and memorable. A flag is not decoration so we can throw a bunvh of colours on it. It is a symbol.

I agree andri it is a fine flag , as you say it is unique in being the only country in the world to have the shape of its country in it.

I also think that avoiding the red and blue of Turkey and Greece was understated genius signifying a new, independent and unified countrywith allegience to no other.

The guy that designed it was ahead of his time