Stefanos Kouratzis
Photography
Ammochostos - The Algos of Nostos
“This is not an artist statement. This is a visual deposition of an ongoing war crime.”
Varosha, Famagusta, October 2020.
For the enclosed city of Ammochostos, time seems to have stood still since 1974, frozen in a surreal cinematic set. 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.
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. Its most vibrant part, 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.
In a provocative illegality, the occupation regime in October 2020 opened part of the fenced city of Ammochostos, converting the deserted city usurped from its lawful Greek inhabitants into a grotesque theme park under the misleading guise of a tourist destination.
The new reality imposed upon the city functions as a constant reminder and exploitation of pain. Unknowingly and unwillingly, each of us becomes a witness to an ongoing, relentless violation in a frozen conflict.
Library Holdings
The publication is held in the collections of:
– Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Library, New York
– Academy of Athens Library
– Cyprus Library
– Severios Library, Pancyprian Gymnasium
Warning signs just before entering the under Turkish occupation enclosed city of Famagusta – Ammochostos at Varosha in Cyprus
Along the beach of the under Turkish occupation enclosed city of Ammochostos Famagusta 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