**Kizilyurek Pays Tribute to Late Rival Ftochopoulos**
Nicosia, Cyprus - Turkish Cypriot academic and former member of the European Parliament Niyazi Kizilyurek offered a poignant tribute on Monday to the late Vasos Ftochopoulos, a prominent publisher and restaurateur who passed away last week at the age of 76. In his tribute, titled “I will not say go to hell for you,” Kizilyurek reflected on their complex relationship, characterized by both rivalry and respect.
Ftochopoulos, known for his outspoken views, often described the Republic of Cyprus as a “farce” and criticized Greek Cypriots advocating for a federal solution, labeling them as “Turks who speak Greek.” He also expressed disdain for those he believed had abandoned the cause of Enosis, referring to them as “Neo-Cypriot parasites.” Kizilyurek noted these sentiments in his tribute, emphasizing the unique and controversial nature of Ftochopoulos’s rhetoric, which he termed “anarcho-nationalism.”
Kizilyurek recounted his first encounter with Ftochopoulos in 1988 at the Aegeon restaurant, a popular establishment in old Nicosia. Despite warnings from friends, Kizilyurek visited the restaurant, where he was confronted by a banner displaying the inflammatory slogan, “the only good Turk is a dead Turk.” He described the restaurant as a lively venue that attracted many patrons, including Greek Cypriots, despite Ftochopoulos’s derogatory views towards them. Kizilyurek humorously noted that Ftochopoulos made “excellent souvlaki,” suggesting that the very people he criticized were among his best customers, perhaps feeling a “twinge of guilt” for not aligning with his nationalist ideals.
In his tribute, Kizilyurek expressed concern over Ftochopoulos’s inflammatory rhetoric, comparing the slogan to a phrase from the Nazi era, “the only good Jew is a dead Jew.” He recalled confronting Ftochopoulos about the banner, urging him to reconsider its implications. Eventually, the banner was removed, a testament to the objections raised by Kizilyurek and others.
The relationship between Kizilyurek and Ftochopoulos was marked by animosity, particularly following the publication of Kizilyurek’s book *Oliki Kyprosin* in 1990. Ftochopoulos publicly criticized Kizilyurek’s work and later dismissed a documentary Kizilyurek produced in collaboration with Panikos Chrysanthou in 1993, labeling it as “Turkish propaganda.” Despite these tensions, Kizilyurek chose to honor Ftochopoulos with a respectful farewell, stating, “I, despite all this, will not tell you to go to hell.”
Kizilyurek closed his tribute with a message of peace, offering condolences to Ftochopoulos’s family and loved ones. “May you rest in peace,” he wrote, highlighting the complexity of their relationship and the respect that can exist even amidst deep ideological divides.
Ftochopoulos’s legacy as a controversial figure in Cypriot society is likely to continue to spark discussions about nationalism, identity, and the ongoing complexities of the island’s political landscape.