Varosha: A glimmer of hope for Cyprus | DW Documentary

Greek Cypriot Andreas Lordos is fighting for the restitution of his family’s property, as well as for reconciliation with Turkish Cypriots. He has been regularly travelling to the island’s Turkish-occupied north.

The abandoned former resort town Varosha has recently been reopened to visitors. Andreas Lordos is determined to transform the ghost town into a project for the future of all of Cyprus. Varosha has been unoccupied since the 1974 conflict between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, which left it in an inaccessible military zone. Buildings have been standing empty for decades, including hotels and other properties formerly owned by Lordos’ family. With the reopening of the town, Lordos’ wants to see property returned to previous owners. But for now, Turkish authorities are only allowing Greek Cypriots to visit the area. Lordos is convinced that if hotels were allowed to open and tourism was successfully brought back to Varosha everyone would profit - his family, the Turkish Cypriot north, and the Greek Cypriot south. He believes booming tourism in Varosha could help ease tensions on this divided island in the Mediterranean Sea. A report by Gunnar Köhne.

#documentary #dwdocumentary #cyprus
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[चाैतारीटिभी]

Cyprus is a good example of how dirty politics and politicians can ruin a country. I hope the people can understand and accept each other and prosper together for better future.

[melindarogers]

I am praying that this gentleman will get his property back & build his dream! Peace be with all! 🙋‍♀️🤗

[J.Cameron.Stuart.Adams.]

Please get word to Andres Lordos to see his doctor. His lymph nodes under his jaw look to be enlarged. This could indicate a health issue which needs to be urgently addressed. He needs his health to continue fighting for the property the is rightfully his.

[GerryDonnell-trrw]

😢I lived in Famagusta late sixties to early seventies dad was stationed there going to the beach after school i remember the Grecian Hotel also the Arsenal football team staying at the St Georges hotel after winning the Double in 1971 Beautiful place

[falseprofitu]

The Lordos family had a huge investment in Varosha as did even the poorest families.

[chrisdemosthenous]

Very proud of the Lordos family and especially Andreas Lordos for all his efforts over the years looking for resolution.My father worked for the Lordos family and they were great employers. My self as a Cypriot from Australia can't wait to go back home to our great town of Famagusta go existing and living with our Turkish Cypriot PEOPLE.

[leowyien]

Thank you DW for another insightful documentary on the Cyprus issue!

[AndresStein-yl]

I was in Cyprus, also in Famagusta and and I loved it.
Love from CHILE.

[Kenty.grenade]

I hope one day they can return varosha back to its prime! It looks like it would have been an awesome place for a holiday

[excalibur]

Well as a Cypriot, I hope varosha will regain its former glory and maybe it will spark a peace wave that will end all of this division between Cypriots. It could be like the old times that our grandparents tells us.

[MrMediterrano]

Yes, there is a land registry but the question is whether the lands have been legally acquired by the owners shown in the registry because during Ottoman times, most of the land in Varosha used to belong to a foundation and lands belonging to a foundation cannot be sold. They can only be rented or be provided for use on a non-profit basis but they cannot be sold. Therefore Turkey and the Republic of North Cyprus suspect that many/most of the owners in the land registry are not lawful owners. Currently there is an ongoing effort to find and translate the Ottoman archives which is a tedious work because there is a ton of documents to wade through, some documents need restoration and there are not many people who can read Ottoman Turkish.

[lookoutleo]

I would love to go to Cyprus, my father was their many years ago and he loved it

[Malta]

Would love to visit Cyprus one day...
Hopefully...

[friendlybane]

A nation of a people with a long enduring history, separated for the benefit of a greedy few.

[rockabyebaby]

i believe the hotel Sandy Beach also belongs to the Lordos family.. i was working there in the kitchen in 1973 even the kitchen had air conditioning, left varosha in march 74 for london .. never to return.. ( to Varosha not Cyprus ) hotels were built on the sandy beach, big mistake ..

[askarraimkulov]

I was there in 2012. There was belief that reconciliation would be next year. Now it is 2022. Nothing has changed.

[pierreginhoux]

Parabéns pelo documentário !
Sou fascinado pelo assunto... a história de Famagusta/Varosha...é impressionante ver a cidade tão bela abandonada !
Só acho estranho que eu tenha visto em seu vídeo ...muito mais VOCÊ do que a cidade ...uma pena.
Pierre (Brazil/Espanha).

[je]

I want my old flat back, and don't raise your voice and wave guns around just because I want to go into MY OWN FLAT. My old hometown has become a GHOST CITY, my parents old apartment may not even be able to be renovated anymore. I saw big plants inside the walls. This is ridiculous.

[carolinedecastro]

Buildings belonging to people must be given back to them. The UN .must sort this mess out once and for all.

[manosrojo]

Το χώμα που περπάτησα η γη που νοσταλγώ …