Tina (Christina) Agapiou Reviving Greek Nationalism in Cyprus – The Case of ELAM 1.1 Introduction Cyprus nationalism, together with an understanding of the nature of Cypriot national identity may be regarded as politically crucial issues. The historical relationship that ties Cyprus to Greece from ancient historical times, has allowed Greek Cypriots to maintain a Greek national identity as well as a strong Greek Orthodox Church throughout history. 1 The period of Ottoman occupation of the island, changed the Cyprus demographics and a minority of 18% of Turkish Cypriot population remained on the island which had never integrated into the mainstream Greek Cypriot political structure. 2 The minority maintain their Turkish national identity and Islamic religion until today. Post WW2 and following European liberation dynamics, the majority of the Cyprus political structure made political demands for liberation from the British colonial occupation. 3 The issue of Greek nationalism had again become of primary importance in the Cyprus political arena. Minority groups other than that of the Turkish Cypriot structure, were already integrated in the central political structure. Only the Turkish Cypriot minority sought greater political autonomy / independence. Greek Cypriots refused to allow the Turkish minority to receive equal rights on the island. Furthermore, the residues of an Ottoman occupation, the audacity of selling to an ally (Britain), a whole island together with the obsession of Turkey to interfere in the politics of the island as if Cyprus is a Turkish protectorate, only fuelled national sentiments within the Greek community. 58 years from the founding of a Cyprus Republic and liberation from British colonisation, a bi-communal rift, an invasion by Turkey which led to the division of the island and accession of the Republic to the European Union (EU), with an unsolved territorial agenda, the political dynamics of Greek Cypriot nationalism remains important today as it has ever been. The paper focuses on the evaluation of current nationalism politics in Cyprus and the case of ELAM. The subject of Greek Cypriot nationalism has been receiving increasing attention in the study of contemporary Cyprus politics ever since Cyprus joined the EU. Although since 1 Greek presence on the island dates back to the Mycenaean civilisation (1400–1050 BC). The Church of Cyprus is noted as of the oldest Eastern Orthodox autocephalous churches, achieving independence from the Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East in 431. 2 Nevzat, A., (2005) “Nationalism amongst the Turks of Cyprus: The first wave”, University of Oulu, OULU. The first signs of Turkish nationalism can be traced close to the end of the ottoman rule on the island, late 19 th century. 3 Cyprus fell under British administration from 1878 to 1960 under 3 phases, 1878-1914 British protectorate, 1914-1922 military occupation and 1922-1960 as a Crown colony.