New book on Makarios gives a fresh perspective

A new book on Archbishop Makarios to be launched this week looks at the stormy political career of the church primate who also served as the country’s first president.

Written by diplomat Demetris Assos, who holds a PhD from the Institute of Commonwealth Studies of the University of London awarded to him for his dissertation on the political history of Cyprus in the 1950s, Makarios: The Revolutionary Priest of Cyprus, argues for nuanced understanding of a complex political personality.

It gives an account of events starting from 1950, when Makarios became the head of the Church of Cyprus with the hope of presiding over the union of Cyprus with Greece, until 1959, when he signed the Zurich-London agreements, which established an independent Republic of Cyprus.

“This transition which has shaped profoundly the modern history of Cyprus is examined critically through the personal perspective of Makarios and unpacks the contradictions and ambiguities which came to be associated with his person,” a press release said.

It also highlights the dichotomy in Makarios’ political outlook between, “on one hand the nationalistic romantic idealism of enosis and on the other hand, the hard, political realities on the ground which were shaped both by geography and the international political environment.”

The author also given a critical review of the role of the church in Cypriot politics, the relations between Greek Cypriots and successive Greek governments, Cypriot intercommunal relations and the international dimension of the Cyprus problem and how these issues were handled by Makarios.

The book, published by IB Tauris, promises “a fresh and unique perspective on the history of Cyprus” and “an essential addition to our understanding of the Cyprus problem, and a new political biography of arguably the most influential Cypriot politician.”

Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides will present to book next week in Nicosia at an event organised by KP Kyriacou bookshop and IB Tauris Publications.

The book can be found at bookstores. Price is €50.

It will also be available at the presentation for €45. The book presentation will take place on Thursday, November 22, 2018 at 7pm at the Metochi of Kykkos Monastery on Ayios Prokopios street in Engomi, Nicosia.

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