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Cyprus - DJC - 10-25-2022
Thry’s comments about the etymology of Gallipoli got me thinking about Cyprus. I’ve never been there but it’s a place I’d love to visit.
My late brother served with the United Nations Civilian Police on Cyprus in the late 1960s. His stories of grenade attacks, Roman and Greek ruins, and the cultural links that joined the Greek and Turkish communities were fascinating and played no small part in my career choices.
My brother had a gift for languages and was fluent in Turkish and Cypriot Greek (he also learnt Swedish and was able to give a keynote speech in Swedish after 10 days in the country). When we attended ANZAC Day marches together, his encouragement of the Greek and Turkish contingents was always reciprocated … and his dark complexion had both contingents claiming him as one of their own.
In more recent times, several of my mates/colleagues have Cypriot heritage and they are very interested in hearing about my brother’s experiences. One close friend’s husband recently published a wonderful book called Tales of Cyprus. It details the close relationship between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, a relationship that has been torn apart by 20th century geopolitical machinations.
My friend’s husband’s latest effort is an exploration of Greek Cypriot language. Many Greek Cypriot words/phrases have Turkish or Arabic origins, as you would expect given Cyprus’s location and the expansion and contraction of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. I suspect that the Norman colonisation of the Mediterranean was also a factor.
So, what does this all mean? Nothing apart from trying to understand the local geopolitical situation. Attempting to explain events in other parts of the globe at other times through the Cypriot lens doesn’t work. It is a fascinating example of cultural processes at work.
Re: Cyprus - madbluboy - 10-25-2022
My best man's parents are Greek Cypriot, their families were kicked out of their own homes by the Turks in 1974?. No love lost there.
Re: Cyprus - Thryleon - 10-25-2022
^^
This is true on both sides of the fence. Depending on which side of Cypriot politics you listen to, there are wide and various problems at play in the nation, but ultimately it remains an island nation divided by modern nationalism and external influences.
Did you know that Cyprus has the pound as currency? Up until the euro, the Greeks used Drachma, and the Turks use their Lira.
The people of Famagusta tell some interesting tales, and there are many different political aspects of this that play out. Often these issues are tied back to communist, vs capitalist governments, but even so, I am unqualified to comment. There is a bit of angst at Turkey. They did (and sometimes politically still do) claim a lot Greek heritage as their own, and then state that the modern Greek state is fictitious. Its a perspective, one that has its flaws, but could entirely possibly be correct. None will know the wiser. Balkan politics is a messy affair made messier by the fact that the area has been ruled by many different cultural influences as far reaching as French and British.
When it all comes down to it, certain political alliances are the ones that continue to drive it, and its usually linked to resources. Interestingly, the mediteranean has over the last 20 years been determined to be rich in many natural resources, and now we are seeing new claims on what was previously drawn borders, and new chest thumping occurring again over a treaty that was drawn up post world war 1 which looks to dissapointingly leading to a fresh new conflict.
Re: Cyprus - DJC - 10-26-2022
My friend’s family home/village is under Turkish control. She is allowed to visit but under very strict conditions.
Her husband interviewed Greek and Turkish Cypriots for his book and they all talk about happier times when ethnicity and religion didn’t determine one’s sense of community and belonging, and one’s rights. Governments and politicians can get things so wrong.
Re: Cyprus - LP - 10-26-2022
This thread has me thinking Greek for dinner, lamb or octopus?
Yes, yes I know, I'm going to hell for eating something char grilled and dressed up in a little lemon and dill that was as intelligent as an octopus!
Re: Cyprus - Thryleon - 10-26-2022
(10-26-2022, 05:36 AM)LP link Wrote:This thread has me thinking Greek for dinner, lamb or octopus?octopus is my first go to of those two. Lambs are only killed at Easter time to symbolically break fast after the resurrection of the lamb of God. Goat is actually more likely from a Greek kitchen. The land isn't extremely flat and you're more likely to see them raise pigs and goats anyway in mountainous terrains. Only catch with octopus is if you're preparing it, simmer it really slowly in its own juices before grilling on a hot grill. Octopus goes to blubber if its not treated appropriately and you need to coax out its juices very very slowly. There is a reason they hang them on a clothes line everywhere to sun dry them before cooking them.
Yes, yes I know, I'm going to hell for eating something char grilled and dressed up in a little lemon and dill that was as intelligent as an octopus!
Re: Cyprus - Baggers - 10-26-2022
(10-26-2022, 05:44 AM)Thryleon link Wrote:octopus is my first go to of those two. Lambs are only killed at Easter time to symbolically break fast after the resurrection of the lamb of God. Goat is actually more likely from a Greek kitchen. The land isn't extremely flat and you're more likely to see them raise pigs and goats anyway in mountainous terrains. Only catch with octopus is if you're preparing it, simmer it really slowly in its own juices before grilling on a hot grill. Octopus goes to blubber if its not treated appropriately and you need to coax out its juices very very slowly. There is a reason they hang them on a clothes line everywhere to sun dry them before cooking them.
That's my limited experience as well. One of my dearest friends is a chef in Canberra... and Greek. He introduced me to goat and octopus prepared and cooked properly. Simply amazing. About 5 years ago he treated us (Easter time) to a lamb on a spit in the backyard, after preparing it for about 24 hours... again, amazing. Such passion and respect for food.
Re: Cyprus - cookie2 - 10-26-2022
Octopus sounds amazing, I'll pass on the lamb though.
Re: Cyprus - ElwoodBlues1 - 10-26-2022
(10-26-2022, 10:33 PM)cookie2 link Wrote:Octopus sounds amazing, I'll pass on the lamb though.Same, Wife's step mum is Greek and a lovely kind lady but live fluffy lamb in the backyard to dead meat on the plate left me with no appetite and I couldn't eat Lamb anymore.
Re: Cyprus - cookie2 - 10-26-2022
(10-26-2022, 11:01 PM)ElwoodBlues1 link Wrote:Same, Wife's step mum is Greek and a lovely kind lady but live fluffy lamb in the backyard to dead meat on the plate left me with no appetite and I couldn't eat Lamb anymore.
I don't know how I would handle that EB,, a bit confrontational to say the least! I just can't stand the smell or taste of lamb and once got into a blue with a guy on a public bbq when he threw on his lamb cutlets next to my fillet steak, aaaargh!