Cyprus in the First World War

The Cultural Centre "Technopolis 20" organises lecture entitled "Cyprus in the First World War" with Mr Wally Oppenheim, on Wednesday, April 22 at 7pm.

Cyprus was never a battlefield during the First World War, but nevertheless played an active part in the war. Thousands of Cypriots volunteered for the army and they played an important part in the Greek Campaign. The British authorities worried constantly about the Turkish Cypriots since the Ottoman Empire was one of Britain's enemies. Listening stations were set up to spy on Turkish radio messages and spies and saboteurs were smuggled into Turkey. Cyprus was used as a convalescent home for thousands of wounded British soldiers, and at the same time housed thousands of Turkish prisoners. Throughout the war the Governors had to fight off repeated attempts by the Army to take over the administration. And there is the astonishing story of how the British offered Cyprus to Greece in the middle of the war- and why Greece turned down the offer, to the amazement of the Greek Cypriots.

The presentation will be given by Wally Oppenheim who is a retired History teacher. He has lived in Cyprus for 7 years and leads the very popular History Groups for Paphos Third Age. He also writes a monthly article on History for Pals Magazine.

The talk will be in English.
Duration: 1 hour
Information: 70002420

Information about joining Paphos Third Age will be available.