The first day of fuel price increases has led to long queues at the Agios Dometios checkpoint towards the occupied areas.
Yesterday marked the first day of fuel price increases, and the line of cars at the Agios Dometios checkpoint towards the occupied areas extends up to the Roussia tavern, approximately one kilometre away.
Engines are running, and drivers are waiting patiently.
Such patience isn’t typical of our driving behaviour; under different circumstances, in other queues, we would manoeuvre to overtake or find another route.
However, order prevails in this queue, which is one of our contradictions.
About a kilometre further down are the Imprisoned Graves. Evagoras Pallikarides’ sister confirms that if her brother were alive, he would once again climb a hill to find freedom.
The President of the Republic expresses his joy at seeing so many people, especially young ones, at the events, assuring that we will do everything possible to liberate our homeland.
On the other side, mosques are rising higher and higher, and Tatar, more uncompromising than any other previous Turkish Cypriot leader, builds his palace in the image and likeness of Erdogan, provoking not only the Greek Cypriots to whom he sends a message but also the Turkish Cypriots who would prefer five hospitals and ten schools to one palace.
The occupation is constantly solidified in every way.
Our traces are still there, causing more sorrow than optimism.
One could say the end of illusions is near. Our churches are in ruins, except for some used as tourist attractions.
The castles in Pentadaktylos and the ancient sites in Salamis, Soloi, Vouni, and Famagusta…
The humble houses from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s are now crumbling due to the ravages of time and the shadow of chaotic construction that has thrived since the Crans Montana.
The vast orange groves of Morphou are still there, blooming this season, but many are clearly left to soon give way to plots.
Selling apartments is easier and more profitable than oranges (we agree on this).
And the president talks about liberation. Yet, there’s no sign we’re preparing for such a thing.
How is liberation truly achieved? Through armed struggle? Shall we start it now, half a century after the invasion? Who will do so? Under what conditions and with what prospects?
Do we still believe in the myth of David and Goliath? Will we sacrifice our Towers to go to Kyrenia? And will Tatar abandon his palace without a fight?
