One man’s personal solution to the Cyprus problem

GREEK Cypriot refugee Kyriacos Myrianthis has returned to occupied Davlos, the village where he was born and raised, after 32 years of longing to spend his last years in his beloved birthplace.
Myrianthis, 68, was yesterday quoted in Politis, speaking about his desire to live out the remaining years of his life in the village he fled following the 1974 Turkish invasion.

“I am a pensioner, 68 years old, my days are now numbered and I see that I can’t expect anything from politicians,” he explained, expressing his joy at the opportunity to fulfil his dream.

The story was front page news for Turkish Cypriot daily Milliyet, which recently headlined: “A Greek solution to the Cyprus problem.”
Today, Myrianthis resides in his village on a daily basis and socialises with his Turkish Cypriot neighbours. He also goes fishing every morning with his new friends.

“I used to visit the village often and the hope was resurrected within me to return and fish in the village’s sea”, he was quoted as saying, adding: “An opportunity arose and I took advantage of it. I believe that politicians will do nothing for Cyprus. So for this reason I have decided to come and live the rest of my days in my village.”
It is not clear whether Myrianthis has returned to his own home in the village.

Myrianthis made it clear that he was never fazed by the prospect of living with Turkish Cypriots and said that his relatives visited him in Davlos every weekend.

“I live with them as if we are siblings and there is not the slightest problem.”
And neither is there any problem from the Greek Cypriot side, he added. “At the weekends I get the chance to go fishing with my grandchildren.”
The 250 current residents of Davlos – Turkish Cypriots and settlers – were happy to have a Greek Cypriot living among them.

“Initially it was a surprise, but now we are having a great time and we are pleased he chose us,” stated one resident, while another filled in: “He loves us and we love him. People are slowly-slowly doing what politicians are failing to do.”