Q. What are pleasant memories you have related to Turks
and
Greeks before 1963?
I lived in Aygasyona which is located in Nicosia. Before
1963,
Turks and Greeks lived together. Their relationship was good and
there wasn`t any border before 1963. Both Turks and Greeks lived
together in the same street. For example, the grocer and baker
in
that street were Greek. All the Turkish children and Greek
children grew up together. They were good neighbours. The Greek
people were always ready to lend a helping hand to people. They
learned each others' language. I thought Greek people were hard-
working. Turkish and Greek doctors and nurses were working in
the
same hospital. The Greek doctors and nurses or Turkish doctors
and
nurses were not prejudiced against the ill. My best friends were
Greek. They were sincere, and we had a good relationship. When
I
first came to that street my friends helped her. They loved each
other as brothers and sisters. One day I had an accident and
since
my friend's brother was a doctor he helped examine me and didn`t
take any money for it.
When the events began and attacks had started, the Greek people started to escape from the street. My friends were sad for me and they also gave all their furniture to me. Then I went back to the Greek side in Limassol. For a long time I didn`t get any news about my friends. Then later I learned that they were all right.
My opinion is that if peace was to be declared, relationships
regarding the Turkish and Greek people would be the same as
before.
If there is to be peace, I want to meet with my best friend and
resume our friendship as before.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Occupation: Housewife
Age: 75
Sex: Female
Nationality: Turkish Cypriot
Where now lives (country and city/town/village): Nicosia
Where lived during the events described during the interview:
Nicosia.
Occupation (or life's work) of the main income earner in
household when growing up: Shoemaker.