Expert analysis on psychological trauma and collective memory in Cyprus

On September 15, 2026, Dr. Kyriakos Veresies, a neurologist-psychiatrist and chair of the Department of Social Sciences and Behaviour at PHILIPS University in Nicosia, discussed the enduring impact of the Cyprus conflict on collective memory. He addressed how historical events, psychological trauma, and hostility toward the 'Other' are often conflated by society, despite being distinct phenomena.

Dr. Veresies noted that Cyprus continues to bear deep trauma on both sides of the divide, resulting from deaths, missing persons, forced displacement, and the loss of property and social cohesion. He emphasized that while decades have passed, these experiences remain significant. However, he argued that while society has a duty to remember historical injustices, this memory should not be used to perpetuate ongoing enmity and hostility between communities.

The discussion highlights the distinction between the necessity of historical preservation and the potential danger of passing down intergenerational hatred. The interview serves as a professional assessment of the psychological landscape currently surrounding the Cyprus problem, focusing on the importance of how societies process past violence and trauma without allowing it to dictate future expectations.