Cyprus, an island nation in the eastern Mediterranean, has been divided since 1974, into areas controlled by Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. The division was prompted by a Greek Cypriot coup seeking union with Greece, which triggered an invasion by Turkey.
In 2021, the island marked the 50th anniversary of its division, a day met with contrasting emotions between the two communities. For Greek Cypriots, it is a day of mourning, remembering the loss and upheaval caused by the division. They express sorrow over violence, displacement, and the division of their island.
Conversely, in the north, recognized only by Turkey as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the day is celebrated as the anniversary of peace and safety provided following the 1974 intervention.
This division has proven to be a longstanding geopolitical issue, with numerous international diplomatic efforts failing to resolve the dispute. Despite the contrasting views on the commemoration, there is a shared sentiment among many Cypriots for a peaceable solution leading to unification.