POTS SHOTS, MEMORIES AND THE DIASPORA
Stefanos Evripidou
Cyprus Mail
Aug 26 2009
Cyprus
THE DIASPORA is currently holding the 16th annual conference of
overseas Cypriots in Nicosia. Eminent Cypriots from around the world
have descended on the homeland to discuss the plight of the island,
bringing with them a US senator among others.
The diaspora of any country or ethnic group will always have a huge
role to play in a people’s development. It can play a positive role,
like the Armenian musicians who report on their musical genius through
the thousands of concerts performed around the globe. But it can also
complicate matters. Some argue that the conflicts in Northern Ireland
during the Troubles and the Balkans in the 1990s were fuelled by the
logistical and financial support of the respective diaspora of each
ethnic group.
Compared to its size, Cyprus has a massive diaspora, spreading across
America, UK, Canada, Europe, Africa, Australia and beyond. Like
all groups, the Cypriot diaspora is not monolithic. Take London for
instance. There are Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots who share
memories and friendship in the capital’s legendary Green Lanes. And
then there are those whose unwavering dedication to the "motherlands"
leaves no space for that sort of co-existence.
This year’s conference has been given much notice among local players
and the media. President Demetris Christofias opened the conference
on Monday, and in doing, crossed swords with the Archbishop and
House President.
The Cyprus Mail passed by the official home of the five-day conference
yesterday, the Hilton, to hover through the halls and corridors and
see what’s cooking. On arrival, party leaders were addressing a crowd
of around one hundred in Ballroom A.
A mere coincidence perhaps, but Marfin Laiki Bank was holding
a photographic exhibition in the same hall, titled "Memories of
Cyprus". Another subtle hint from Marfin’s Andreas Vgenopoulos?
Facing the 100-odd delegates and a fair splattering of journalists
was a 15-member platform, seating representatives of overseas Cypriot
federations and branches from the USA, UK, Africa, South Africa,
Australia, Europe and Canada.
The last speaker for the morning was AKEL’s Andros Kyprianou who
released a few jabs on those critics "unfairly" accusing the president
of selling out. No sooner had the communist leader wrapped up, DISY’s
Nicos Anastassiades lit up inside the conference hall, pipping others
to the spot as "Number One Potential Violator" of this January’s
draconian smoking laws.
As the delegates, old and young, mostly male, walked out the conference
towards lunch, their chatter betrayed accents affected by decades
spent away from home in new lands. Some offered a refined version of
the Queen’s English while others adopted a more casual American slant.
"Hey, how you doin? Did you make it to the thing last night?" "Oh no,
I couldn’t. My foot hurt."
It was clear that the ties with the older generation of overseas
Cypriots have been kept strong. The delegates oozed confidence and
familiarity with the local politicians, old and young.
A number of delegates approached one of the organisers to complain
that the mood among the local politicians was a little too partisan
for their liking, referring specifically to the closing speech. The
conference should not be used as a platform to take pot shots at
opposing camps, they argued. The organiser dismissed the criticism,
responding: "What are we sheep and we can’t express an opinion?"
While the multitude of delegates scrambled for lunch, a number of
political players stayed behind, gathering around a hub of TV cameras
like wasps around a jam pot.
Political elites in most countries are less familiar with queues
but the thousands of weddings our local elite are obliged to attend
prepare them well for waiting one’s turn for a few moments on the
box with impeccable politeness and patience.
The journalists quizzed speakers on the intricacies of the Cyprus
talks before asking each one to dabble with destiny and comment on
APOEL’s chances against FC Copenhagen tonight at the GSP Stadium.
Unknown to most, a few walls away, a group of FC Copenhagen players
were eating lunch by the swimming pool, biding time till the game. If
there was ever a chance to promote Cyprus as a breeding ground of
footballing excellence, yesterday lunchtime was it. But the Hilton
kitchen staff seemed to have missed the chance, as the players rubbed
their stomachs in sunny satisfaction with the day’s menu.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
