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Greece |
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Introduction to Greece-Turkey Travel GuideIt is the practice of governments in most countries to instill in their people a fear of their neighbors. This keeps the people of that country united and enables the government to spend tremendous amounts of money on defense. But hatred of a fellow human being is not natural. It must be taught. The animosity between the Greek and the Turkish people has its roots in historical events and atrocities committed by both groups. These were events of the past and many young people now reject the idea of war and hatred and that our neighbor must be our enemy because of something he did in 1922 or 1974. We have educated ourselves to know that events were not as simple as we were told and blame cannot be placed on the people of a country when the spark of fear has been fanned into flames of war by their own governments or even outside interests. Sane people don't choose to go to war. They are told there is no choice, that they are defending their homes and their way of life against an enemy that is evil and wants nothing else but to destroy them. For most of the last century the Greeks and the Turks have looked at each other as this evil enemy and not as two people connected by customs, food, language, music and even blood. The Greek and Turkish people have proven many times they can live together. Before 1922 and the exchange of populations in the cities of Smyrna and Istanbul and small towns and villages of Asia Minor, Greeks, Turks, Jews and Armenians lived, worked, played music, did business, ate and drank together as they did in many places in Greece. They knew a good person was a good person whether he wore a fez or foustenella or prayed to the Virgin or Allah. Once again the doors of communication have opened between the two countries and while those whose interest lies in the continued hostilities still try to maintain the level of fear, suspicion and anger, the will of the people is for peace and friendship. About this song.... This song comes from the album Mikra Asia, sung by Giorgos Dalaras with music by Apostolis Kalderas and words by Pythagora. The lyrics are about a time when Greeks and Turks were friends, before events spiralled out of control. I look forward to the day when Greeks and Turks can sing this song together. In The Straits of the Bosphorus In the straits
of the Bosphorus I am a Turk and
you are a Greek With a little
love and wine I am a Turk and
you are a Greek *ax! kai Bax! is an expression of sentimental pain or in this case "we both have problems". |
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