Refugees from Kyrenia reflect on the 1974 Turkish invasion 52 years later

In a commemorative project by Cyprus Times and the Adouloti Kyrenia Association, survivors share personal accounts of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Eleftheria Charalambous, who was 34 at the time, recounts fleeing Kyrenia with her three children while her husband was taken prisoner by Turkish forces. She ultimately settled in Limassol and has never returned to her hometown, expressing fear that such a visit would be fatal to her. Another witness, Sotiris Protopapas, describes the dangerous journey from Karavas to Limassol, which cost his family five pounds. Protopapas highlights the assistance of a benefactor who provided funds and a vehicle to facilitate their escape. Both individuals emphasize the profound loss of their homes, personal possessions, and sense of identity as a result of the displacement. These testimonies serve as a historical record of the civilian experience during the conflict that permanently altered the lives of many Cypriots.