Cyprus Yr Ynys


Cyprus

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-Every island

-transports you to another world.

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-Where natural life...

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-..and the nature of life have

-evolved in their own unique way.

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-But due to the pressures of the

-modern world, the tide is turning...

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-..for better or for worse.

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-In this series, we meet islanders

-all over the world.

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-People who are proud

-of their history...

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-..who are preserving their customs

-and who are patriotic.

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-But the globalization

-of the world...

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-..has made it impossible

-for islanders to stand alone.

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-In many ways...

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-..these shores are leading

-the battle to save the planet.

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-The island's fate

-is critical to us all.

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-The beautiful island of Cyprus lies

-in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

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-Nine thousand kilometres

-of idyllic coastline.

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-Hundreds of acres

-of fertile plains...

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-..set against a backdrop

-of dramatic mountain ranges.

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-For both visitors and natives...

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-..this place could be paradise.

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-But if Cyprus

-has been blessed by its climate...

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-..its location has been a curse.

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-Throughout the ages, the island

-has been a stepping stone...

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-..for marauding armies from Europe,

-Africa and the Middle East.

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-Ruling the whole Mediterranean Sea

-was the goal of any despot.

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-The starting point in the crusade

-for power was here in Cyprus.

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-After landing here, they were

-only one step away from the east...

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-..or the west.

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-The ground beneath my feet

-is red from the bloodshed...

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-..of battles in both the distant

-and the recent past.

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-Sadly, the conflict continues.

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-On a small island such as this,

-is all the conflict necessary?

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-In 1974,

-the battle lines were drawn again.

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-This time,

-the Greeks and the Turks...

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-..who lived on the island

-turned on each other.

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-The battles left visible scars

-on the landscape...

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-..and on the minds of the people.

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-Today, it is now one island

-made up of two nations.

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-Cyprus is divided.

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-North versus south.

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-Muslim versus Greek Orthodox,

-Turk versus Greek.

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-There are those, however...

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-..who aspire to a new future

-of a united Cyprus.

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-Can they bring harmony

-to a divided island?

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-THEY SING IN GREEK

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-I have been reluctant

-to visit Cyprus down the years.

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-I'm not sure why,

-but it may be an irrational reason.

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-I'd feel as though I was betraying

-Greek friends...

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-..who happen to live on one

-of the islands nearest to Turkey.

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-They remain sceptical

-of the Turks' motives.

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-So I come here

-with my heart ruling my head.

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-I wonder if I'll leave here

-with my head ruling my heart?

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-Cyprus is an ancient world

-of legends and of love.

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-This is the birthplace

-of Aphrodite...

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-..the Roman goddess

-of love and beauty.

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-Legend has it that Aphrodite

-arose from the sea here.

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-It's said that if you swim around

-Aphrodite's Rock three times...

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-..you will be blessed

-with eternal beauty.

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-The legend is an excellent

-marketing ploy to attract tourists.

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-Every year, 2.5 million tourists

-flock to these shores.

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-But tourism

-isn't a new concept in Cyprus.

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-The first tourists came to enjoy

-the landscape and the views.

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-The sunshine, food and wine

-were added bonuses.

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-Cyprus's long and complex history

-was another attraction.

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-But these days,

-a very different kind of tourist...

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-..comes here in search of fun.

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-Cyprus is now the clubbing capital

-of the eastern Mediterranean.

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-The former sleepy fishing villages

-of Aiya Napa and Paphos...

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-..are now dancing

-to a different beat.

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-But don't forget

-that the beautiful people...

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-..also came here decades ago.

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-In the 1960s,

-before the advent of mass tourism...

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-..the seaside town of Famagusta

-was a paradise for wealthy celebs.

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-It was a hot spot for such stars...

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-..as Brigitte Bardot,

-Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

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-In 1974, the golden era

-came to an abrupt end.

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-This town, that was once dripping

-with wealth, is now dead.

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-Its decline has nothing to do

-with the economic downturn...

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-..or a shortage of tourists.

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-It's all down to a bloody conflict.

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-When the Greek army

-tried to annex Cyprus...

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-..Famagusta was caught

-at the centre of the conflict.

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-Determined to protect its interests,

-Turkey launched an invasion.

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-The town was evacuated

-in a matter of hours...

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-..before fighting broke out.

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-By the time a ceasefire

-was announced...

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-..the Turks had occupied

-the northern third of the island.

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-The UN created a border

-to separate the two sides.

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-That border, the Green Line,

-is still in force today.

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-It serves as a permanent partition.

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-Southern Cyprus is a republic

-that's home to Greek Cypriots.

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-It is internationally acknowledged

-as an EU member state.

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-In the north is the Turkish

-Republic of Northern Cyprus.

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-Turkey is the only country

-to acknowledge its sovereignty.

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-The centre of Famagusta

-belongs to the Turkish Republic...

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-..but tourist areas and beaches

-remain in the Buffer Zone.

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-No-one lives there any more.

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-Only United Nations peacekeepers

-are seen there.

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-Famagusta is a ghost city.

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-When the Turks invaded Cyprus

-in 1974...

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-..the Greek Cypriots

-who had lived there...

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-..fled to other parts of the island.

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-Since then,

-stories have turned into legends.

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-Exaggerated ones, I'm sure.

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-Dinner plates left on tables,

-lights being left on...

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-..and even washing

-still hanging on the line.

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-One of those who was forced to flee

-is Andreas Hatziaros, a farmer.

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-He's a Greek Cypriot...

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-..whose birthplace, Axna, remains

-in the Buffer Zone in the distance.

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-Andreas was 16 when his family

-was driven out of their homes.

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-He remembers leaving everything

-when the Turks invaded his village.

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-The family owned a sprawling farm,

-most of which lies in no-man's-land.

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-Only a small part of it remains...

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-..on the Greek side

-of the Green Line.

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-HE SPEAKS GREEK

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-All the land that you see

-belonged to us, he says.

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-We're bitter.

-How else would we feel?

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-The Turks would have occupied

-more of his family's land...

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-..had it not been

-for a British Army base nearby.

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-Today, Axna is uninhabited

-and quiet.

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-From the safety of the Greek side,

-Andreas can only stare longingly...

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-..at the Turkish soldiers

-on his church's roof.

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-This sign says it all about Cyprus.

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-The Cyprus of today,

-not the Cyprus of old.

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-It's in three languages -

-English, Greek and Turkish.

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-That side belongs

-to the British Army.

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-This side belongs

-to the Turkish Cypriot army.

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-Andreas, the lowly farmer,

-is caught in the middle.

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-He once farmed 60 acres.

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-Now, he's only permitted

-to farm four acres.

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-The loss of his inheritance

-and his livelihood...

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-..is a constant reminder

-of the schism dividing Cyprus.

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-There are no Cypriots living here,

-says Andreas.

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-If there are Turks living here...

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-..there's no such thing

-as a Cypriot nation.

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-Believe it or not, the dispute

-over belonging to a nation...

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-..today takes precedence over

-classical wonders from antiquity.

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-.

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-888

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-Since its very beginnings,

-people have fought over Cyprus.

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-Its fertile soil and location...

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-..were huge rewards

-for those navigating the seas.

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-They came from Europe,

-Asia and Africa.

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-After each offensive...

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-..the inhabitants would have

-to conform to a new master...

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-..and new religion.

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-The ancient city of Salamis

-attests to its turbulent history.

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-Its deep harbour was a gateway

-for marauding troops.

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-Cyprus's history is ancient

-and incredibly complicated.

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-Many different nations

-have ruled the island...

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-..including Assyrians,

-Egyptians, Persians and Romans.

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-French crusaders ruled it

-for three centuries...

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-..the Venetians

-for almost 80 years...

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-..and the Turks for three centuries.

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-The British were also here,

-for close to 80 years.

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-So, in actual fact,

-how Greek is the island after all?

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-Someone able to shed light

-on the subject...

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-..is Italian historian

-Professor Luca Zavagno.

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-He has spent a lifetime researching

-the ancient mysteries of Salamis.

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-HE SPEAKS ITALIAN

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-The professor dreams

-of uncovering its wonders.

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-Another amphitheatre

-is waiting to be excavated nearby.

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-It was a sprawling city,

-similar to Pompeii.

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-But the schism in Cyprus

-is so grave...

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-..that even its ancient history

-has become part of the ongoing feud.

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-Because Salamis

-is in the Turkish north...

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-..there's an international ban

-on archaeological excavations.

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-It's hard to believe and even harder

-for the professor to accept...

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-..that it's impossible to uncover

-Salamis's remarkable history.

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-It's so frustrating

-that the last archaeological dig...

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-..happened in 1974, he says.

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-The embargo prohibits

-any archaeological activity...

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-..unless it's for

-conservation purposes.

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-As someone who specializes

-in the Byzantine period...

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-..it's a personal tragedy

-for the professor...

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-..considering how important

-Salamis could be archaeologically.

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-The feud continues

-in this lost paradise.

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-What Luca had to say

-angers me greatly.

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-Due to the political situation,

-his work has been halted.

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-He can't continue this vital work...

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-..that could greatly benefit

-Cyprus's hopeless situation.

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-But as someone once told me...

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-..a lot of heads

-need to be knocked together.

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-The cause of Cyprus's division...

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-..goes to the heart

-of the capital, Nicosia...

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-..or Lefkosia in Greek.

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-The Green Line

-runs through the city's centre.

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-It's the only capital city

-in the world that remains divided.

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-The scars from the battle

-between the two nations...

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-..are all around.

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-There are no guns here,

-but everything else is ready.

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-This picture postcard view...

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-..was viewed by angry eyes

-years ago.

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-The 1,000 UN peacekeepers...

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-..who are here

-to preserve the peace...

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-..are a constant reminder

-of the ongoing feud.

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-Though the flags of both nations

-fly above the city...

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-..one establishes dominion

-over the island.

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-Carved on a slope

-outside the city...

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-..is the largest flag in the world.

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-The Turkish Republic

-of Northern Cyprus flag...

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-..measures 75,000 square metres

-and can be seen from space.

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-Roughly translated, the slogan

-reads, "Proud To Be A Turk".

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-Greek Cypriots

-inhabit the south of the city...

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-..that's called Lefkosia in Greek.

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-They are proud of their

-Greek Orthodox religion.

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-This is an affluent city.

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-The sociable nature of the Greeks

-is very prominent...

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-..in the taverna and cafe neon.

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-I would have thought...

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-..that life was sweet for residents

-of a street such as this one...

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-..with a cloudless blue sky

-and warm sunshine.

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-But there's pain

-behind closed doors.

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-The pain of people who remember

-living as refugees.

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-Charis Charilaou has raised

-his children in the capital.

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-But he himself was raised in a town

-which is now in the Turkish north.

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-HE SPEAKS GREEK

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-Before 1974, he and his family

-lived in the pretty town of Morphou.

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-They had a large garden...

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-..surrounded by lemon, orange

-and tangerine trees.

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-But Charis's paradise

-would be destroyed.

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-During the 1960s,

-the ethnic conflict intensified...

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-..with both sides

-guilty of serious violence.

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-For Turkish Cypriots,

-the Turkish invasion of 1974...

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-..was their salvation.

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-But for the 200,000

-Greek Cypriots...

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-..who lived in the north,

-it was a tragedy.

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-What followed could only be

-described as ethnic cleansing.

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-100,000 Turkish Cypriots

-fled from the south to the north.

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-Greek Cypriots like Charis...

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-..who lived in the north

-were forced to flee...

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-..leaving their homes

-and livelihoods behind.

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-We left all our belongings behind.

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-None of us believed

-that we would never return.

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-We only took the smallest bundle

-of clothes with us.

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-Today, all he has left

-is a photo album...

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-..to share

-with the family's new generation.

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-Charis treasures the photographs.

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-How else could he show

-his grandchildren...

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-..the life they had in Morphou?

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-Even after 40 years, the photos

-still cause him pain.

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-This is the country of my ancestors.

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-Of course I still have a longing

-and a yearning to have it back.

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-His old home is only 40km away...

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-..but his chances of returning

-are very slim.

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-Though my Greek is poor,

-I wanted to ask Charis...

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-..what it's been like

-to live as a refugee for so long.

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-SHE SPEAKS GREEK

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-Anyone who hasn't been a refugee

-can't understand, he says.

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-Without having lost loved ones

-in conflict...

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-..and waiting for them to return,

-nobody can understand.

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-The waiting continues

-for many more families.

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-More than 2,000 people

-are still unaccounted for...

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-..following the conflict.

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-So far, only 217 bodies

-have been identified...

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-..and returned to their families.

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-.

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-888

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-888

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-888

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-On the island of Cyprus,

-the Greek and Turkish communities...

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-..are completely separated.

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-In order to learn more

-about this sad situation...

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-..I'd have to visit both sides.

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-I've crossed the famous Green Line.

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-We weren't allowed to film

-the checkpoint.

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-We had to show our passports...

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-..not on the Greek side because

-they don't acknowledge the border...

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-..but on the Turkish side.

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-We've been granted a visa

-to come to the north.

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-It's like dividing Wales

-into two countries...

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-..and having to show our passports

-in somewhere like Aberystwyth.

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-The Greek south is a member

-of the European Union...

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-..and permitted to trade

-with the rest of the world.

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-..except the north of Cyprus.

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-For businesses in the north,

-the situation is much worse.

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-Only Turkey acknowledges

-its Turkish Cypriot republic.

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-Everything

-must first be approved by Turkey.

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-It's a huge disadvantage

-for businessmen like Ozan Dagli.

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-HE SPEAKS TURKISH

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-Ozan tells me that he cannot compete

-because the duty is so high.

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-Due to numerous problems,

-they can only run their business...

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-..within certain northern confines.

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-Only Turkey acknowledges northern

-Cyprus as an independent state.

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-Consequently, all goods

-bought and sold here...

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-..such as food and other produce,

-have to come via Istanbul.

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-Even mail

-has to go through Turkey first.

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-Selling produce to southern Cyprus

-is an impossible problem.

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-Ozan has battled hard to get his

-produce into shops in the south.

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-Even the United Nations

-has failed to ensure free trade.

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-Ozan says that supermarket owners

-in the south...

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-..reject products from the north...

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-..because they fear an anti-Turkish

-backlash from customers.

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-Ozan has no hope of selling

-to shops in the south.

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-International duty makes it

-too expensive to export overseas.

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-No wonder he's angry.

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-He is angered by being isolated

-from the global market.

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-Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots

-live on this island.

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-At the moment, those in the south

-are doing all they can...

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-..to make sure the north

-is still isolated, he says.

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-The hopes of even the north's

-most successful businesses...

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-..risk being dashed.

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-Ozan comes across

-as a very sensible and astute man.

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-If everyone was like him,

-Cyprus would be a true paradise.

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-But restoring paradise takes more

-than healing an economic divide.

0:26:290:26:34

-People's faith must also

-be taken into consideration.

0:26:360:26:40

-There are two main religions

-on the island...

0:26:410:26:44

-..Greek Orthodox Christianity

-and Sunni Islam.

0:26:440:26:47

-Many Christian churches here

-have been turned into mosques...

0:26:490:26:55

-..as a result of people

-being displaced through conflict.

0:26:550:26:59

-But this is the first example,

-dating back to the 16th century...

0:27:000:27:05

-..when the island

-was conquered for the first time...

0:27:050:27:09

-..by the Muslim Ottoman Empire.

0:27:090:27:12

-MAN PRAYS IN TURKISH

0:27:120:27:14

-This was once

-St Nicholas's Cathedral.

0:27:200:27:24

-The Gothic architecture

-of the building in Famagusta...

0:27:250:27:29

-..is typical of Europe's

-medieval churches.

0:27:290:27:33

-When the Ottomans occupied the city,

-they took ownership of it.

0:27:350:27:40

-In keeping with Muslim tradition,

-the walls were painted white.

0:27:440:27:48

-The stained glass was replaced...

0:27:490:27:51

-..and every image of the human form

-was covered.

0:27:510:27:55

-The Greek Orthodox tradition

-is completely different.

0:28:110:28:16

-Churches are colourfully

-and meticulously painted.

0:28:160:28:22

-In the valleys

-and on the highest mountains...

0:28:220:28:25

-..are some of the most striking

-medieval churches.

0:28:250:28:29

-It's impossible to separate

-religion and politics in Cyprus.

0:28:350:28:39

-But in order to understand

-what religion means to people...

0:28:390:28:43

-..you must come to a place like this

-on an occasion like this.

0:28:430:28:48

-The village of Peristerona

-is preparing for Easter.

0:28:540:28:59

-It's the most important festival

-for the Greek Orthodox Church.

0:28:590:29:04

-The Saturday of Holy Week

-is a day to meditate and relax...

0:29:130:29:17

-..for the older members

-of the Greek Orthodox community.

0:29:170:29:22

-But for the younger men

-and the boys...

0:29:250:29:28

-..this isn't a time to be idle.

0:29:280:29:30

-On the eve of Easter, they have

-to be at their most alert...

0:29:300:29:34

-..to ensure weeks of hard labour

-aren't wasted.

0:29:340:29:38

-Michaelis Savvas and his friends

-have been building a bonfire.

0:29:400:29:45

-It has taken weeks to build...

0:29:460:29:48

-..and its size

-is a matter of community pride.

0:29:480:29:52

-They must make sure

-it's the biggest local bonfire.

0:29:520:29:56

-Michaelis must spend long nights

-keeping vigil over the bonfire.

0:29:560:30:01

-They stay here every night

-until the early hours...

0:30:020:30:07

-..in case people

-from other villages...

0:30:070:30:10

-..steal the wood or set it alight.

0:30:100:30:12

-There's nothing obviously religious

-about this untidy pile of wood.

0:30:130:30:18

-But there's no doubt

-that for young men like Michaelis...

0:30:190:30:23

-..it has genuine

-religious significance.

0:30:230:30:27

-The rag doll

-on top of the bonfire...

0:30:330:30:35

-..represents Judas,

-who betrayed Christ.

0:30:360:30:39

-They burn it every year...

0:30:410:30:43

-..to show

-that they totally condemn him.

0:30:440:30:47

-Such orthodox beliefs...

0:30:490:30:51

-..permeate all aspect of rural life

-in this part of the island.

0:30:520:30:56

-Michaelis thinks

-it's a wonderful custom.

0:31:000:31:04

-It's a way for communities

-to celebrate Easter...

0:31:060:31:09

-..and the resurrection

-of their saviour.

0:31:090:31:12

-His mother, Maria, is also busy...

0:31:170:31:19

-..preparing a traditional

-Easter feast.

0:31:200:31:23

-She's keen to teach

-the next generation.

0:31:230:31:26

-As her mother and grandmother did...

0:31:300:31:33

-..Maria now teaches her daughters...

0:31:330:31:36

-..so that they can continue

-the Easter customs.

0:31:360:31:40

-After fasting over Lent,

-the Easter Sunday feast...

0:31:430:31:48

-..is something the whole family

-looks forward to.

0:31:480:31:51

-Maria asks her daughter, Christala,

-to help.

0:31:540:31:57

-These are flaounes,

-the Easter cheese breads.

0:31:590:32:02

-Maria tells me

-that the red paint on the eggs...

0:32:030:32:08

-..is a symbol of Christ's blood.

0:32:080:32:10

-The egg and lemon avgolemono soup

-is part of the feast.

0:32:100:32:16

-To accompany the soup, they eat

-special bread and boiled meat.

0:32:170:32:22

-A spring lamb

-is served as a symbol...

0:32:260:32:29

-..of Christ's sacrifice

-on the cross.

0:32:290:32:32

-They bake the bread with yeast

-to represent the resurrection.

0:32:320:32:38

-But this family's faith

-is a constant in their lives.

0:32:390:32:43

-Their house

-is full of religious icons...

0:32:430:32:47

-..that are so important to them.

0:32:470:32:50

-BELLS PEAL

0:32:500:32:52

-The church bells

-summon the community.

0:32:540:32:57

-The family has invited me

-to join them...

0:33:070:33:10

-..for the climax of their year.

0:33:100:33:13

-The family, along with the others,

-are dressed in their Sunday best.

0:33:140:33:20

-Members of the Greek

-Orthodox Church...

0:33:200:33:23

-..have celebrated Easter in this way

-since the ninth century.

0:33:240:33:29

-MAN SINGS IN GREEK

0:33:300:33:32

-The words tell the story

-of the very first Easter.

0:33:370:33:43

-In the Christian faith, that's when

-Jesus rose from the dead.

0:33:430:33:47

-Maria believes that in order

-to keep the family together...

0:33:530:33:59

-..belief in God is essential.

0:34:000:34:02

-It's how children come to learn

-the best principles and values.

0:34:020:34:06

-As midnight approaches...

0:34:120:34:14

-..the lights are turned off

-in anticipation...

0:34:150:34:18

-..of the resurrection.

0:34:180:34:21

-This is the darkest moment

-of the year for the faithful.

0:34:230:34:26

-The atmosphere makes you feel...

0:34:260:34:29

-..as if something big

-is about to happen.

0:34:290:34:32

-PRIEST SINGS

0:34:330:34:35

-On the stroke of midnight,

-the priest appears...

0:34:360:34:41

-..and summons his congregation

-to light their candles.

0:34:410:34:45

-The villagers

-light each other's candles.

0:34:450:34:49

-It's a symbolic ritual

-of Christ's light.

0:34:490:34:53

-BELLS PEAL

0:34:550:34:57

-The procession represents

-Mary Magdalene and Mary's journey...

0:34:580:35:02

-..to Jesus's tomb

-on the morning of the first Easter.

0:35:030:35:06

-To recall the women's surprise

-at seeing an empty tomb...

0:35:120:35:16

-..the priest announces,

-"Christos Anesti!"

0:35:170:35:20

-Christ Is Risen!

0:35:200:35:22

-The congregation replies,

-"Alithos Anesti!"

0:35:230:35:27

-Truly, He Is Risen!

0:35:270:35:29

-PRIEST SINGS

0:35:310:35:33

-Behind the church...

0:35:410:35:43

-..Michaelis watches

-weeks of hard work go up in flames.

0:35:430:35:49

-Michaelis stands

-alongside his father.

0:35:500:35:53

-Family is just as important

-as the rituals.

0:35:530:35:56

-Tonight, scenes like these can be

-seen in every village in the south.

0:36:000:36:04

-They are destined to continue,

-whatever the island's fate.

0:36:040:36:09

-The procession

-returns to the church.

0:36:140:36:17

-Christ is no longer in his tomb.

0:36:210:36:24

-The entire village,

-at least for one night...

0:36:250:36:29

-..truly believes

-in the resurrection.

0:36:290:36:33

-I bid the Savvas family farewell...

0:36:340:36:37

-..as they continue

-with one other tradition.

0:36:380:36:41

-If they can keep the flame alight

-all the way home...

0:36:410:36:45

-..then they will enjoy

-a prosperous year ahead of them.

0:36:460:36:50

-The following day, Easter Sunday...

0:37:000:37:02

-..there are celebrations

-of a very different kind.

0:37:030:37:07

-Christala Savvas and friends

-take part in traditional games...

0:37:070:37:11

-..to mark the beginning of spring.

0:37:110:37:14

-Spirits are high

-among the villagers...

0:37:170:37:21

-..as they feast on huge plates

-of souvla, local lamb.

0:37:210:37:25

-Community spirit is important today.

0:37:280:37:31

-There's clearly

-something more than religion...

0:37:320:37:36

-..tying these people to the island.

0:37:360:37:39

-.

0:37:390:37:40

-888

0:37:440:37:44

-888

-

-888

0:37:440:37:46

-There are few places

-in the Mediterranean...

0:37:520:37:55

-..that are as desolate

-as this region of Cyprus.

0:37:550:37:59

-The Karpaz Peninsula.

0:37:590:38:01

-It's referred to as the Panhandle.

0:38:060:38:08

-It extends 80km into the sea

-in north-eastern Cyprus.

0:38:090:38:13

-The region is rich

-in subterranean water reservoirs.

0:38:150:38:19

-They keep the plains fertile

-throughout the summer months...

0:38:190:38:25

-..while the rest of the island

-bakes in the overbearing heat.

0:38:250:38:30

-But that's not the only reason

-why the Karpaz Peninsula is unique.

0:38:310:38:35

-When the Turks invaded,

-the peninsula was isolated.

0:38:350:38:40

-The Greeks who once lived here

-were unable to flee to the south.

0:38:400:38:45

-They stayed here

-and lived under Turkish rule.

0:38:450:38:49

-Religion is important

-to both communities...

0:38:500:38:53

-..but it also divides them.

0:38:530:38:57

-The one thing

-they both have in common...

0:38:570:39:00

-..is their love of the landscape.

0:39:000:39:02

-It's something

-they're very passionate about.

0:39:020:39:06

-The island is at its most beautiful

-in the north.

0:39:060:39:09

-The promise of a simple life...

0:39:120:39:15

-..tempted Greek Cypriot

-Ismail Cemal...

0:39:150:39:18

-..and his Canadian wife, Lois,

-back to the Karpaz...

0:39:190:39:22

-..after many years overseas.

0:39:230:39:25

-Ismail tells me

-that he regards himself a Cypriot.

0:39:280:39:31

-He returned to raise his children...

0:39:310:39:34

-..in a nicer environment

-with two cultures and two languages.

0:39:340:39:39

-Ismail was brought up

-near the village of Buyukkonuk.

0:39:410:39:45

-He remembers mixing well

-with his neighbours.

0:39:450:39:48

-Greeks and Turks side by side.

0:39:490:39:51

-But when Lois arrived in 1986...

0:39:540:39:56

-..and adopted the culture

-and language...

0:39:570:39:59

-..she was saddened to hear that the

-Greek villagers had been driven out.

0:40:000:40:05

-SHE SPEAKS TURKISH

0:40:060:40:08

-Lois tells me the Greek Cypriots

-didn't want to leave.

0:40:100:40:14

-They hadn't offended anyone...

0:40:140:40:17

-..and claimed to be friends

-with the Turks.

0:40:170:40:21

-But the Turks didn't want them here.

0:40:210:40:24

-They were driven out by soldiers.

0:40:250:40:27

-Sixteen Greek Cypriot villagers

-were killed in the conflict.

0:40:290:40:33

-Today, there are no signs

-of past conflicts...

0:40:350:40:38

-..but the history

-isn't far from people's minds.

0:40:380:40:42

-Lois tells me they discuss politics

-and the dispute in Cyprus daily.

0:40:440:40:49

-The older generation remembers

-what it was like before 1974.

0:40:500:40:54

-They long for the old days.

0:40:550:40:58

-In an attempt

-to move Buyukkonuk forward...

0:41:020:41:06

-..Lois and Ismail

-have created an eco-village here...

0:41:060:41:11

-..and a self-sufficient community.

0:41:110:41:14

-They recycle water...

0:41:160:41:18

-..use solar panels...

0:41:190:41:21

-..and press olives

-using traditional methods.

0:41:220:41:25

-They have a vision

-of revolutionizing the island...

0:41:250:41:29

-..by concentrating

-on small everyday things.

0:41:290:41:33

-Lois insists on cooking...

0:41:330:41:36

-..by using traditional methods

-and natural ingredients.

0:41:360:41:40

-Lois offers me a taste of Cyprus.

0:41:460:41:49

-Seeded bread with raisins...

0:41:490:41:51

-..and wild berries that provide food

-for migrating birds.

0:41:510:41:56

-It's really tasty,

-as well as being good for you.

0:41:570:42:00

-It's much better

-than a bar of chocolate.

0:42:010:42:03

-Ismail has revived

-old carving methods...

0:42:050:42:08

-..using the wood of olive trees

-that would usually be left to rot.

0:42:090:42:14

-In ecotourism, says Ismail...

0:42:170:42:19

-..natural produce, culture

-and traditions are all-important.

0:42:190:42:24

-They are elements

-that strengthen people's identity.

0:42:240:42:29

-Ismail has put his tragic

-experiences behind him...

0:42:310:42:34

-..and is focusing

-on creating a Utopia.

0:42:350:42:38

-It is difficult for people

-to forget the conflict.

0:42:380:42:42

-Ismail puts his faith

-in the younger generation...

0:42:430:42:46

-..who call themselves Cypriots

-and nothing else.

0:42:460:42:50

-Back in the divided capital

-of Nicosia or Lefkosia...

0:42:590:43:03

-..no effort has been made

-to move forward.

0:43:040:43:07

-But there are those here

-who are trying to bridge the gap.

0:43:090:43:13

-The Buffer Zone

-is about 100 metres wide...

0:43:130:43:16

-..but the gap between

-the two communities is far wider.

0:43:160:43:22

-I'm here tonight to see

-what could eventually become...

0:43:220:43:26

-..the beginning

-of a new understanding.

0:43:260:43:29

-Engineer George Spyrou

-believes it is possible...

0:43:310:43:35

-..for the Turks and the Greeks

-to get along.

0:43:350:43:38

-In 1997, he formed a peace choir.

0:43:410:43:44

-The 50 members are both Greek

-and Turkish Cypriots.

0:43:450:43:50

-They rehearse

-at the Ledra Palace Hotel...

0:43:510:43:54

-..in the UN-controlled Buffer Zone.

0:43:540:43:58

-Hello there.

0:44:010:44:02

-Hello there.

-

-Hello.

0:44:020:44:03

-This is where the UN administered

-the 1974 prisoner exchange process.

0:44:040:44:10

-People now come here

-of their own volition...

0:44:130:44:17

-..to sing for a better future.

0:44:170:44:19

-CHOIR SINGS

0:44:260:44:29

-According to George, the choir's aim

-was to unite two communities.

0:44:420:44:46

-The message of love and peace

-would be spread through the music.

0:44:460:44:53

-CHOIR SINGS

0:44:530:44:56

-George is a Greek Cypriot,

-born in the south...

0:44:570:44:59

-..during a turbulent time when both

-communities were at loggerheads.

0:45:000:45:05

-He hadn't even spoken to a Turkish

-Cypriot until he was 38 years old.

0:45:050:45:09

-George tells me

-that curiosity inspired him.

0:45:130:45:16

-He wanted to know who these people

-were, how they looked...

0:45:180:45:22

-..what they talked about

-and what ideas they had.

0:45:230:45:26

-What's striking

-about this choir...

0:45:300:45:32

-..is their desire to share

-languages, customs and traditions...

0:45:330:45:37

-..even if it takes

-considerable effort.

0:45:370:45:41

-GENTLE STRING MUSIC

0:45:450:45:47

-Two languages

-and two communities...

0:45:490:45:52

-..singing as one.

0:45:530:45:55

-If they can sing like that,

-why can't they live like that?

0:45:550:45:59

-"That wondrous day will come,"

-according to one of their songs.

0:45:590:46:03

-That's certainly

-George Spyrou's dream.

0:46:030:46:07

-It's tragic that such a beautiful

-island is split in two.

0:46:110:46:15

-We Greek Cypriots

-and Turkish Cypriots...

0:46:150:46:20

-..could have created a paradise

-together here.

0:46:200:46:23

-This is my last night in Cyprus.

0:46:280:46:31

-I've accompanied the choir

-to Athienou...

0:46:310:46:34

-..a small Greek enclave

-among Turkish Cypriot lands.

0:46:340:46:39

-It is a memorial concert

-for two friends...

0:46:400:46:42

-..one a Greek Cypriot,

-the other a Turkish Cypriot...

0:46:430:46:46

-..who were murdered for trying

-to bring peace to two communities.

0:46:460:46:51

-THEY SING IN GREEK

0:46:510:46:53

-I doubt this choir would win

-at an eisteddfod in Wales...

0:46:590:47:03

-..but they have a bigger ambition

-that's far more important.

0:47:030:47:09

-I came here

-with a bias towards the Greeks.

0:47:130:47:16

-But I've met nice people

-from both sides...

0:47:160:47:19

-..each of them hoping to see

-the Green Line eliminated...

0:47:190:47:23

-..so that everyone

-can live in harmony once again.

0:47:240:47:27

-Only then can Cyprus

-become a true paradise.

0:47:430:47:49

-S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.

0:48:300:48:32

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0:48:320:48:32

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