Stefanos Kouratzis
Photography
Ammochostos - The Algos of Nostos
For the enclosed city of Ammochostos time seems to have stood still in 1974 in a surreal cinemasetting. Today, it is enveloped in an altogether different aura, both as a place and a landscape.
In 1974, under the pretext of protecting the Turkish Cypriots, Turkey invaded the island following a short-lived coup instigated and orchestrated by the Greek Junta. Since then Turkey unlawfully occupies one third of the Republic of Cyprus, trampling upon any notion of international legality, and infringing the rights of the Turkish Cypriots themselves.
Based on Security Council resolutions 550 (1984) and 789 (1992), the city of Famagusta as a whole should have been placed under the full control of the United Nations. However, in blatant violation of these resolutions Turkey continues to occupy the entire city, while the most vibrant part of it, Varosha, after having been ruthlessly pillaged, an area of 6.2 square kilometers (about 17% of the Municipality of Famagusta) was fenced off and placed under military control, to be used as a bargaining chip in the talks for a Cyprus settlement.
Along the beach of the under Turkish occupation enclosed city of Ammochostos Famagusta at Varosha in Cyprus
Warning signs just before entering the under Turkish occupation enclosed city of Famagusta – Ammochostos at Varosha in Cyprus
Parking meter on Democratias Avenue in the under Turkish occupation enclosed city of Famagusta – Ammochostos at Varosha in Cyprus
Blue Bungalow, the summer residence of Cypriot artist George Pol. Georgiou in the under Turkish occupation enclosed city of Famagusta – Ammochostos at Varosha in Cyprus
Franklin Roosevelt Avenue in the under Turkish occupation enclosed city of Famagusta – Ammochostos Varosha in Cyprus
Hotel Mariana in the under Turkish occupation enclosed city of Famagusta – Ammochostos at Varosha in Cyprus
In the under Turkish occupation enclosed city of Famagusta – Ammochostos at Varosha in Cyprus
The Greek Gymnasium of Famagusta (Boys’) in the under Turkish occupation enclosed city of Ammochostos at Varosha in Cyprus
On the junction of Democratia and Evagorou Avenues in the under Turkish occupation enclosed city of Famagusta – Ammochostos at Varosha in Cyprus
Argolis Hotel Flats on John F. Kennedy Avenue in the under Turkish occupation enclosed city of Ammochostos - Famagusta at Varosha in Cyprus