Nicosia: The documentary Cyprus: The Divided Island will premiere on 22 September at the Ledra Palace Hotel, within the Buffer Zone in Nicosia, under the auspices of the United Nations. The film offers a human-centered and historically grounded account of over 60 years of division in Cyprus.
According to Cyprus News Agency, featuring testimonies from more than 30 individuals, including the leaders of both communities and the UN’s top representative on the island, the documentary examines the political, social, and cultural dimensions of the conflict.
Although President Nikos Christodoulides agreed to a proposed joint interview, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar declined, with no official explanation provided, the press release adds.
Around 200 guests are expected to attend, including 16 ambassadors, EU and UN officials, and political representatives. President Christodoulides may also attend, depending on his schedule during the UN General Assembly in New York.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.