Mandres: Losses and Grief Since 1974 in Occupied Community

Mandres, a small village in occupied Cyprus, still counts the wounds of the 1974 war. A narrative full of grief and pain highlights the losses and difficulties faced by the community.

The summer of 1974 was marked by the Turkish invasion, resulting in many residents being trapped. Those trapped were taken to Gypsou, where they were held in a makeshift camp.

On September 1, 1974, the eve of the feast of Agios Mamas, Turkish soldiers removed men aged 15 to 60 from the camp. They were transported to the Turkish Cypriot village of Tziaos, where the following were murdered:

• Foivos Karagiannis
• Giannis Karagiannis
• Sotiris Chatzipanagis
• Paschalis Mosfilis
• Georgios Christodoulou (Kokis tou Ttolou)

After years, their bones were found using DNA and buried in the free areas.

In addition, reserve officer Giannakis Andrea Mavrou was killed in battle, and Ioannis Michali Koutsoftas is missing after an ambush in Trikomo.

Kypros Kyprianou and his wife Eleni were the last Greek Cypriot teachers in Mandres, Famagusta.