After Cypriot Independence
In 1960, Cyprus gained its independence from Great Britain but Kyrenia's economic prosperity was halted one more time because of the intercommunal conflict that broke out in 1963-64 between the island's Greek and Turkish population. While skirmishes in Kyrenia were minimal, Turkish Cypriot irregulars blockaded the Kyrenia-Nicosia road and occupied Saint Hilarion castle. Despite these difficulties, the 1960's and early 1970's was a period of lively cultural and economic activity. A new town hall was built and a Folklore Museum established. The ancient shipwreck already alluded to was reassembled and permanently exhibited at the castle with all its amphoras and cargo. The number of new hotels and tourists multiplied and a new road was constructed in the early 1970's connecting the town to Nicosia from the east. The town's cultural activities greatly increased. Other than the many traditional cultural and religious fairs and festivals annually celebrated, flower shows, yachting races, concerts and theatre performances were organized. Kyrenia, the smallest of Cypriot towns, was undoubtedly the island's most precious jewel.
The town's inhabitants, Greek, Turk, Maronite, Armenian, Latin and British peacefully coexisted and cooperated in their daily affairs and the town had grown beyond its two historic neighbourhoods of Kato (Lower) Kyrenia and Pano (Upper) Kyrenia. It expanded towards the mountain slopes to form the new neighbourhood of "California", and eastward it had just about reached the outskirts of Thermia, Karakoumi and Ayios Georgios. On July 20, 1974, all these abruptly and brutally ended when Turkey invaded the island. The Greek Cypriot inhabitants of Kyrenia abandoned their homes, fleeing for their lives under heavy bombardment by the Turkish air force. Gaining a foothold, the Turkish army at first incarcerated those who stayed behind at the ‘Dome' hotel. But then, they expelled them all, together with the rest of the district's Greek Cypriot population, to the Cyprus government controlled area.
In 1974, there were 47 villages in the district of Kyrenia and the Greek and Maronite Cypriot population constituted 83,12% of the district's total population while the Turkish Cypriot population constituted just 15,34% of the total. After the Turkish invasion and ethnic cleansing which ensued against the Greek Cypriot population, only a few hundred Maronites still remain in their villages. Most of the Maronite population was also forced to abandon its homes because of continuous human right violations by the Turkish occupation army. Of a total of 2,500 British permanent residents found in the district of Kyrenia in 1973, just 180 remained there by 1976. Homes, churches. cemeteries, public buildings and schools were systematically looted and destroyed.
While the people of Kyrenia were brutally expelled from their ancestral homes and were forced to endure the pain and suffering of being refugees in their own country, they have not disappeared. Through their collective efforts, their Municipality and Folklore Society they continue their work from Nicosia. Through special voters' registration and procedures, the people of Kyrenia continue to exercise their separate political and civic rights. The Bishop of Kyrenia continues to oversee to the religious affairs of the community. All traditional holidays, religious and cultural, are celebrated and kept alive by the people of Kyrenia. Through their work, their clubs and societies they vow to never stop fighting for the restoration of their human rights and their eventual return to their homes.
I really feel for the people of Kyrenia,Girne....They have paid a huge price for something they weren't that involved in...(well it seems that way to me..)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Kyrenia
