CULTURAL GUIDE TO CYPRUS Transition Center George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center Foreign Service Institute U.S. Department of State CULTURAL GUIDE TO CYPRUS Prepared for the OVERSEAS BRIEFING CENTER FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE by Vicki Joria and Katharine Redmond, 1983 revised May 2004 This paper was prepared to support training activities. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not represent the official position of the U.S. Department of State. Contents INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................1 HISTORY..............................................................................................................................................2 Language...............................................................................................................................................4 SOCIAL INTERACTIONS.................................................................................................................4 Greetings...............................................................................................................................................5 At the Office..........................................................................................................................................6 Getting Things Done............................................................................................................................7 Cypriot Hospitality...............................................................................................................................8 Entertaining..........................................................................................................................................9 Turkish Cypriot .................................................................................................................................10 Religious Holidays..............................................................................................................................10 IMPORTANT OCCASIONS.............................................................................................................10 Greek Cypriot ....................................................................................................................................10 Special Holidays.................................................................................................................................10 Orthodox Weddings...........................................................................................................................12 Baptisms..............................................................................................................................................12 Funerals..............................................................................................................................................14 Sunnet.................................................................................................................................................14 GETTING AROUND.........................................................................................................................14 Transportation....................................................................................................................................15 Driving................................................................................................................................................15 Shopping.............................................................................................................................................16 TRAVEL IN CYPRUS.......................................................................................................................16 Cultural Life.......................................................................................................................................18 RECREATION...................................................................................................................................18 Cinema................................................................................................................................................18 Eating Out..........................................................................................................................................19 Outings................................................................................................................................................20 DAILY LIFE.......................................................................................................................................20 Education............................................................................................................................................21 Climate................................................................................................................................................22 Health..................................................................................................................................................22 Water...................................................................................................................................................23 Communications.................................................................................................................................23 Newspapers and Periodicals..............................................................................................................24 Personal Security................................................................................................................................24 BITS OF WISDOM............................................................................................................................24 CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................................24 REFERENCE BOOKS AND SUGGESTED READINGS ............................................................26 INTRODUCTION yprus, an island nation in the eastern live in the south. Since the relaxing of crossing Mediterranean with an area of 3,572 restrictions in 2003, a sizable population of laborers C square miles, is half the size of New Jersey has crossed from the north to work in the more and twice the size of Rhode Island, lying only 40 highly developed south. There are also small miles from Turkey at the nearest point, 500 miles communities of Maronites on the island, as well as east of mainland Greece, and 100 miles west of members of the Latin (Roman Catholic) and Syria. Armenian minorities residing in the south. A number of British retirees also live throughout the At the present time, Cyprus is divided into two island, mainly near the north and south coasts. In areas. The southern part of the island is controlled recent years, significant numbers of Turks have by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and moved from Anatolia and other parts of Turkey to is populated largely by Greek Cypriots who northern Cyprus, and large numbers of Russians comprise approximately 80 percent of the island’s have settled in the south. Significant numbers of population. The northern part of the island, where students and some asylum seekers, mostly from there is a visible Turkish military presence, is South Asia, have also begun living on the island. inhabited mostly by Turkish Cypriots and controlled by the “Turkish Republic of Northern Despite its Middle Eastern location, Cyprus is in Cyprus” (“TRNC”), an entity recognized only by many ways oriented toward the West. It has been a Turkey. Between the two areas is a buffer zone crossroads of diverse civilizations and cultures informally called the “Green Line,” which is throughout its history. Many educated Cypriots patrolled by the United Nations Forces in Cyprus speak excellent English. They are used to meeting (UNFICYP). The Green Line runs through the people from other countries and take pleasure in capital, Nicosia, dividing it between the Greek talking with them. Few cultural surprises await the Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. From newcomer. Cypriots are very hospitable and enjoy July 1974, when the island was divided following friendship, talk, and laughter; the island is steeped the Turkish military intervention, until April 23, in history and bathed in sunshine. With little effort, 2003, when the Turkish Cypriot authorities relaxed Cyprus can become a very pleasant home away crossing restrictions, the two communities had little from home. Cypriots love to hear compliments contact with each other, but since that date there about their country, and you should find that soon have been over 3 million crossings of the Green after you arrive, it will be easy to offer such Line in both directions without serious incident. compliments with enthusiasm and sincerity. Cypriots place great significance on their About 540 Greek Cypriots still live in northern intercommunal differences (referred to as the Cyprus, and approximately 1,300 Turkish Cypriots Cyprus “problem”).HI 1 the next thousand years, the island was ruled by first the Roman and then the Byzantine empires. HISTORY The outstanding event of the early Roman period was the establishment of Christianity in Cyprus under the Apostles Paul and Barnabas. STORY yprus has a culturally rich and historically