Rocking for the Cypriots

Sir,
I would like to mention a few things about my trip to Cyprus a few weeks ago. I came to see the legendary rock band Deep Purple. I have been friends with the singer Ian Gillan for many years. Ian captured my praise first when he sang the original part of Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar (the best singer that ever did that part so far) and when he sang the incredible Child in Time on the Deep Purple in Rock album. Ian emailed me that Deep Purple were in Cyprus and being of Cypriot heritage I flew from Australia to see the show.

What impressed me the most is that the show had Cypriots all rocking and rolling together. When I say Cypriots you may say Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, but I say only Cypriots. In Australia we say Australians not Greek, Italian, Christians, Moslems etc. We are Australians. And I consider myself not Greek or Turkish only Cypriot. I have a country and a identity – why not be proud to use it?

If people are offended that you say the word Cypriot, big deal – it’s 2005. What language you speak or what religion you follow is entirely and freely up to each individual. Just like Australia. We are never asked what religion we follow or what language we speak.

So what I think Cypriots should do is to be proud of what and who they now are, a high class European Country with its own unique identity and to get rid or all the Greek and Turkish flags (especially the one on the Kyrenia Mountain that desecrated the beautiful scenery) and only have the Cypriot and European Flag. And follow whatever religion you want. Also Greek, Turkish and English should be compulsory in all schools because the day will come when all Cypriots will be able to travel to Greece and Turkey for holidays without restrictions. So If the two so-called communities of Cyprus can all have fun, singing and dancing together to Deep Purple as Cypriots why is it hard not to live together in peace as Cypriots without the outside influence of language and religion.

Just like Australia, Cyprus is a beautiful country that should be shared by all in peace. We are lucky as Cypriots to be able to take advantage of all the good things that the Greek, Turkish and English past offered us and that is what makes us so unique. 

Love and peace to all Cypriots and hope that we can have Deep Purple again in Cyprus playing Kyrenia Castle to all Cypriots.

Chris Andrews, Melbourne Australia
PS The only thing I suggest that Cyprus might need is a new National Anthem that depicts the beauty of Cyprus and its people. Maybe we should get Cat Stevens and George Michaels to write it. Why not?

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.