The Hellenic Museum & Cultural Center will open the second phase of our ongoing Cypriot Collection "Crossing the Line: the Movement for a United Cyprus" on Thursday, March 26, 2009 with an opening reception from 6:00 -8:00pm.

The Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 left the island physically and emotionally divided, with refugees from both sides unable to return to their homes across the Green Line. In response to this division, a grass roots movement called Women Walk Home developed. With the aim of one day living in a united Cyprus with freedom of movement, these women staged marches to attempt to cross the Green Line. Their successes brought attention to "the Cyprus problem" while giving women a new found place in the political arena. By examining art, objects, documents and first-hand accounts, this exhibit will show how daily
life on the island was disrupted by the invasion while also revealing the subsequent movement for reunification.

The exhibition was guest curated by Daniela C. Bono of the Field Museum of Natural History. Daniela was awarded the Brunilde Ridgway Fellowship and spent the summer of 2007 in Agios Georgios in Cyprus where she worked on the Yeronisos Island Excavation.

For more information regarding this exhibition, please contact the Museum at 312-655-1234.
www.hellenicmuseum.org/
Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center | 801 W Adams | Chicago | IL | 60007

One Response to ““Crossing the Line: The Movement for a United Cyprus” Exhibition”

1. Eric says:

   March 26, 2009 at 1:06 am

   You state that refugees from both sides are unable to return to their homes across the Green Line. I think that this should be qualified as there is to the best of my knowledge no restriction on refugees from the North returning if they wish to their homes in the free South where their property and all other rights will be respected. All Cypriots whether Greek or Turkish speaking have full citizen’s rights including the benefits of EU citizenship but these rights apply only in the South. It is the Greek Cypriots only who have been denied for 35 years any rights in the Turkish occupied North and particularly the right to return to their homes and properties.