Being a Cypriot

In the time that I have had here in Northern Cyprus so far, I got the chance to talk with many Cypriots and I always asked my favorite question from them; "How do you define being a Cypriot?" 

I asked this question from the residences of both sides, and mostly received the same answer, "people who were born on the island and also who shares the Cypriot culture." I heard different variations of this response many times and most of the time I tried to ask about their points of views on being a Turkish-Cypriot and Greek-Cypriot, I received the response that we are all Cypriots and although we have differences but share more in common. There were a few people who did not like this idea and wanted a clear line between these two concepts! They did not however seemed to hold the majority.

Most of the people on the island are tired of the international interventions and just want to have their peaceful island back to themselves. Again, some people do not share this idea and actually do want the island to stay separated, but their ideas are being pushed away further and further everyday. Citizens of both sides seem to be ready to get back together and finish the rivalry that existed for a long time, long before the island was divided.

Some people are really idealist and they want the whole problem to be solved over night, but the realists know that this is not possible and the process is a lot harder than the separation. Most probably, if there is going to be any solution, it will be a federal system, rather than a complete unity, but again most of the realists agree that this is way better than the alternative, which is keeping the island divided and even fully recognizing this division. 

Going through many different groups and discussions, the Facebook group, Cyprus without borders, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1374660429530839/ , seemed to be the most democratic one and the message of the Cypriots were clear. Let the olive branch, global symbol of peace and an inseparable part of Cyprus, do its magic and let the peace come back to the last divided capital of the world.

On a personal note, I wish the best for this island and I hope they can find the solution that they want as soon as possible.