Zehra's Story

Q. Why was it important?
I think going to cinema helped the community to be together. Because, in my village, cinema was a quite new technology and everyone was going to cinema.

Q. As you said before, it was very enjoyable for you. What made you think that it was very enjoyable?
If there was a movie on that day, everyone was wearing their favorite clothes and going there. Before the movie, there was music. It was like a fun fair. Everyone was there and they were talking to each other. Everyone was very happy and it helped people to forget their daily life's problems. I was playing with other children. When the show was over, my father would promise me we would come there again. It was one of my favourite things to do. I really enjoyed it.

Q. Were there any Greeks in the cinema?
Yes. Sometimes they were showing English films and they were also interested in going there. Of course, they were going also to Greek films.

Q. Were there any problems or arguments with them? Do you remember any event with Greek Cypriots?
I never saw any event like that. The atmosphere was quite friendly.

Q. Did you continue to go to the cinema during the period of 1963 to 1974?
We couldn't keep going there, because there were many violent events and we stopped going there.

Q. How were your feelings in that period?
Of course, I was very sad. Because, I enjoyed going to the cinema and there was no more activity that I could play. That's why those particular years were very bad for me.

Q. Thanks for your answers.


DEMOGRAPHICS:
Occupation (or life's work): Housewife.
Age: 43.
Sex: Female.
Nationality: Turkish Cypriot.
Where now lives (country and city/town/village): Lefkosa.
Where lived during the events described during the interview: Evdim village (a village in Limassol).
What was the occupation (or life's work) of the main income earner in the household when growing up: Her father was a commander and grew grapes
Education: Graduated from secondary school.