Good morning and welcome, so close yet so far CYPRUS the third largest island in the Mediterranean

The first thing that stands out at Larnaca Airport is the left-hand traffic.

To explain this, I want to shed light on the historical background leading up to the Cyprus conflict.

During the conquest of Cyprus in 1570 by the Ottomans, the commander LALA MUSTAFA PASHA advanced as far as Nicosia,

leaving the previous rulers, the Venetians, with no choice but to acknowledge the loss.

For the Christians, it meant converting or giving up all future prospects.

In 1878, the British arrived and took control of the island as a protectorate. In return, they promised the Ottomans support in the Russo-Turkish War.

In 1925, after annexation, Cyprus became a crown colony of Great Britain.

Turkey acknowledged the annexation and formally renounced Cyprus.

The Greek Cypriots increasingly expressed the desire for union (ENOSIS) with Greece, which was rejected by the British with a point toward Turkey.

The Archbishop MAKARIOS, not only the spiritual but also the political leader of the Greek Cypriots, intensified the pressure and founded the EOKA (National Organization of Cypriot Fighters), a terrorist unit. The Turkish Cypriots, in their desperation, turned to Great Britain in vain and founded TMT, the counterpart to the EOKA.

This inflamed atmosphere produced individuals like NICO SAMPSON, 'The Turk Killer.'

The London Agreement of 1959 stated that there should be no union; if it occurred, the other party had the right to intervene.

In 1964, the USA attempted to mediate, as two NATO countries stood against each other, unsuccessfully.

The Archbishop MAKARIOS turned away from the thought of union (EONIS) to achieve independence from Great Britain. After the coup in 1974 against MAKARIOS, who managed to flee to London, the Turks felt compelled to intervene according to the London Agreement. Since then, Cyprus has been divided. The northern part is recognized by Turkey and is controlled by mainland Turkish soldiers.

The southern part was recognized and admitted to the EU in 2004.

Between the two NATO countries lies a buffer zone, referred to as the green line in Nicosia, otherwise as the demarcation line.

Turkey is sending many immigrants to Northern Cyprus so that they can be smuggled to Southern Cyprus and thereby into the European Union.

This obviously strains the already tense relationship between the two countries.

However, the Cypriots have collectively managed to mark their free-ranging dogs, neuter them, and thus counteract indiscriminate breeding. They hold back with cats, which I can understand quite well given the Cypriot beauties.

The city of Paphos, formerly the capital for 600 years, showcases treasures from past times through excavations that began in 1977.

The House of Dionysus and the House of Aion were once magnificent town villas in the 5th century AD. The preserved floor mosaics depict various scenes from mythology. For example, the legendary monster Scylla or in the House of Aion, the scene of the newborn Dionysus with Lada, Apollo, and Marsyas.

What also impressed me greatly was the dance of the Dervishes.

The dance goes back to the 12th century and was initiated by Rumi, an Islamic mystic. The choreography has hardly changed; it is essentially a service to God. The love for God is free from the narrowness of the prayer niche.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk banned this order of the dancing Dervishes because it contradicted his vision of a modern Turkey. Here in Cyprus, the order of the dancing Sufis still exists. They maintain cultural centers and educational institutions and are involved in mosque construction.

The history of the city of Varosia is also very interesting. After independence from Great Britain, the city developed into a glamorous place. Esteemed figures such as Gina Lollobrigida, Anthony Quinn, and Sophia Loren resided here.

Almost 60% of the total revenue from the tourism industry was generated by Varosia. 24 theaters, cinemas, up to 3000 small shops, and 45 hotel facilities – a dream.

Due to the Turkish invasion in 1974, the city was declared a prohibited zone, and in 1984 it was placed under UN administration.

Nature is steadily reclaiming ground; metal is rusting, windows are breaking... overall, the lost places exude a very oppressive atmosphere.

My conclusion: Cyprus is rich in history, ideal for nature lovers who want to hike in the Troodos Mountains, with Islamic and Greek culture close together; the food is simply royal, featuring self-made warm Halloumi, spoon sweets, Loukoumades, and Cypriot coffee and Brandy sour.

Cyprus is not an ordinary island; it has character and is absolutely worth seeing.

A big thank you goes to our tour guide Ulli Bosl, who with great warmth, extensive knowledge, and organizational skill brought the island closer to us.