The Evolution of National Identities in Cyprus Through Street-Naming

The competition between the elites of the two communities to impose their version of the past on the public sphere, along with the physical conflict among the two communities’ members, represents an effort to utilize history to legitimize one’s ethnic community’s dominance and authority. However, this was subject to British power and authority which, although not interested in inscribing its own “city text” on Nicosia, did not wish to allow the formation of national identity among the two communities. Most importantly the British wanted neither their dominance in Cyprus to be challenged nor their interests in the broader geopolitical framework of the Middle East to be hampered. This chapter focuses on the unsuccessful attempt in 1912 to involve both communities in the exercise of street-naming. The proposals for street-naming submitted by the Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot Nicosia municipal council members to the British Government in 1912 are provided, enabling the analysis of the street-names proposed by the two communities in their effort to legitimize their claim upon specific territory. Beyond the proposed street-names, the chapter presents the conflict and antagonism among the two communities, as well as the role of the British authorities in managing the bicommunal relations.