So during week 9, I mostly worked on editing and filming after writing my script down and deciding what to focus on:
As mentioned on Padlet,
MY PRIORITIES:
-NARRATION+EXPLANATION OF WHY THAT CONTENT- RELATION TO MYSELF (MY ORIGIN).
-CULTURE- TRADITION- INTERCULTURALITY- SYSTEM ANALYSIS OF THE CULTURE I GREW UP WITH.
-FAMILY-CONNECTIVITY- MY own CONTEXT.
During week 9 I struggled with maintaining a good quality of all videos- as they are all taken from the archives from my phone ( no new content).
I have mentioned this in earlier weeks, but I think, although it is more difficult to create something from pre existing- unrelated- content, I think it 100% helps out for more genuine and honest representation of the culture and myself!
After gathering up all clips, and writing the script down carefully, I filmed my self narrating and started to edit all clips!
-I spent the most time carefully gathering information for the script, in order to make sure I focus on the right things and have a smooth representation during the short 10 minutes.-
SCRIPT:
As an artist, A lot of my influences and inspiration subconsciously come from my upbringing, and by
extention, my culture.
This video will present an analysis of Cyprus the tiny island in the Mediterranean where a huge part
of my identity was born. as a complex system with interconnected parts. As a woman who has been
raised within that culture, I believe I can offer an insight into it, while using my knowledge of systems
thinking, to dissect and understand it in depth.
Firstly, What is a cultural system really? I believe we all experience life in different ways, depending
on our generation, our gender, our individuality and many other factors.
Cultures are not static; they evolve through interactions with other cultures. This exchange can lead
to adaptation, integration, resistance… all key themes of the way Cyprus formed its own little culture.
Of course Cyprus as a country, largely shares its culture with Greece and is very similar to most
mediterranean countries. Everyone knows that mediterranean people are warm, open, hospitable,
happy, they sing they dance etc
But behind all that, Cyprus as a country also has a very complex, rough past.
Before dissecting the culture of the country and its people, we need to first explore how it came to
be through cause and effect. Its history and its relations to the so similar neighboring countries and
how throughout the years, these Intercultural interactions have shaped the culture that exists today.
So lets dive even deeper, for a second.
Starting from the stone age Cyprus established one of the first ever civilizations in the world,
Chirokitia, the first ever functioning wells, first ever pet cat,
In the bronze age, Cyprus is populated by the Mycenean Greeks.
(MIKINAIKA GLIPTA),
Now lets fast forward to 10th century BC, the start of Cyprus’s very long era of being occupied and
fought over for its ideal location as a crossover between the three contents )
Cyprus is colonized by the PHOINICIANS, then the Assyrians.
(DIKSE LEDRAS ,tamasos, kition, amathus, kourion paphos, etc kingdoms )
the Egyptians,
the Persians,
then Greek Macedonians,
the romans,
the Arabs,
it becomes part of the byzantine Empire
then England,
then Italy,
the French
ottoman Empire,
. – ALSO becoming the centre of European trade and culture.
..
Now throughout most of these occupying forces, most Cypriots retained their religion as Greek
orthodox, their spoken and written word being Greek whilst also living under rule and adopting their
occupier’s cultural characteristics like clothing, food, the laws, and regulations.
, In 1974, the right-wing military dictatorship that ruled Greece CALLED hunta performs a military
coup In Cyprus, and Turkey invades the northern portion of the island.The Turkish forces remain on
the on the island even after a ceasefire, resulting in the partition of the island. And the displacement
of hundreds of thousands of Cypriots on both sides.
A very large population of Greek Cypriots identify as immigrants, including both of my parents and
their families, leaving their homes with nothing but a change of clothes
residing in tents for a long period of time, and then sharing tiny apartments with their large extended
family, these where all things that shaped their minds and strengthened the bonds of family, and
their faith in their religion became even stronger after hardship. As those where the only things that
gave them hope.
Now that weve established the history,
let’s move on to analysing the subsequent culture that developed from the remnants of all the ruling
cultures mentioned.
When Dissecting the systems of Cypriot culture
it becomes clear that the foundational beliefs and values form an integral part of tis structure.
These deeply ingrained aspects are shared and transmitted across generations.
shaping the Cypriot identity and serving as the guiding force behind their behavior and their
intereactions”
Cypriots largely value hospitality and generosity, and They prioritize three very specific values, by
name
their religion
their nation,
and their family. Now this isn’t just any words in any order. It is a literal GUIDE to the priorities that
many Cypriots follow.
The family is the centre of the social structure in Cyprus. And that includes all extended family,
cousins, aunts, great aunts. Aunt’s friends. everyone.
Your extended family is supposed to help and care for you, and be involved in your life.
(Sometimes a little too much if u ask me)
