Cyprus mulls ‘a more unifying’ national monument

The government is looking to replace the national symbol, which is currently the Republic’s first President, Archbishop Makarios, into one which better represents the people of Cyprus, including Turkish Cypriots.

A search is underway for the location and form of a new monument which will act as a reference point for the Republic of Cyprus, and will replace the function of the statue of Makarios located at the presidential palace, where respects are currently paid during national events but also during visits by foreign officials.

According to daily Politis, location scouting is underway for a spot to place the new monument. Various proposals are already on the table, including the possibility of Eleftheria square once works are completed.

Regarding the monument itself, the daily noted that the government is considering the creation of one similar to those dedicated to unknown soldiers.

The government is considering that such a monument, Politis adds, could be dedicated to the fallen of the second world war, where Greek and Turkish Cypriots fought against fascism side by side.

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.