Kyrenia

15 November 2015 – Kyrenia, Cyprus

Photo taken by Vasiliki Papacharalambous

In the summer of 1974, Turkish troops invaded and occupied more than a third of the teritory of the Republic of Cyprus.

Over the years those who lost their loved ones, their homes and their livelihoods have begun the painful process of rebunding their shattered lives. But for the fathers, the mothers, the brothers, the sisters and the children of the “missing” the passage of time has deepened, rather than healed the wounds inflicted by the Turkish invasion.

There were 1.619 missing persons including the brother of my grandfather. This number included not only soldiers, but also civilians and among them women and children, who disappeared consequent to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. These missing Greek Cypriots were arrested by the Turkish army and Turkish Cypriots under the control and command of Turkey’s armed forces. Subsequent to their arrest, many were transported to Turkey and kept as prisoners in Turkish jails. 

July 2007 marked a turning point of historical significance as the Committee of Missing Persons began returning the first remains of Greek Cypriot individuals to their families. 

Among them was also the brother of my grandfather Christakis Cosma who is no longer considered as missing but instead heroe of war,  closing a long period of anguish and uncertainty.

The picture was taken at Kyrenia port on 15 November 2015.