"Cyprus 1974" Wood Engraving, Refugee Fund, Republic of Cyprus

"Cyprus 1974" Wood Engraving, Refugee Fund, Republic of Cyprus

Postage stamps--Cyprus--History

Γραμματόσημα--Κύπρος--Ιστορία

When I entered George’s house for the first time I was impressed by the walking stick which was hanging in his sitting room. It was unusual and out of place. I suspected it was something special for him and made a point of asking him. One day I will tell you he replied. Then one day he unexpectedly told me a short story which I now recount for the benefit of he who has little to remember, so that he may remember the refugee. …It belongs to my grandfather he said. He always kept it in the sitting room of his house. He was from Yemoura of Pontos. In 1916 they destroyed it together with Trebizond, and many were killed. He managed to escape and arrived at Smyrna. He remained there until September 1922 when he left to save his life and that of my father. My grandmother disappeared there. He went to Alexandria and there he died. The walking stick he gave to my father and asked him to keep it always in readiness in case he needs it. And indeed within a few years when Nasser expelled the Greeks, my father took the walking stick and left for Famagusta. There he lived until 1971. He asked me to keep the walking stick and to look well after it.
In 1974 I took it with me to the refugee camp at Kolossi. When I had a house built, I too kept it in the sitting room. I believed that one day I will take it to may father’s grave at Famagusta, to bury it there with all the past but a few days ago someone told me that the graveyard had been dug up.

Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus

Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus

Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Library of Cyprus University of Technology

Digital Heritage Research Lab of Cyprus University of Technology

7th June 2001

Designer: A. Tassos

Απαγορεύεται η δημοσίευση ή αναπαραγωγή, ηλεκτρονική ή άλλη χωρίς τη γραπτή συγκατάθεση του δημιουργού.

www.cypruspost.gov.cy

TIFF

EL, EN

Image

2001-REFUGEE-1

35.160417, 33.346556

Oriental Press, Bahrain