Colvin, Neville Maurice, 1918-1991:"Here we believe in single, blessed state..." [1955]

Archbishop Makarios stands outside the door of a building on which are painted the words 'Archbishop Makarios - Births, deaths, marriages, divorces' but the word 'marriage' has been crossed out. Makarios wanted a single state and became a leading advocate of 'enosis' - union with Greece. Beside him is a Greek freedom fighter (EOKA, in English, National Organisation of Cypriot fighters - the man is possibly George Grivas) and they both tear a 'Zurich Marriage Certificate' in two while George Grivas points a rifle at Sir John Harding, the governor of Cyprus, who carries a briefcase with the words 'Marriage Guidance Office' printed on it and who is leading away a weeping woman who represents the 'Turkish Community'. Context - In February, 1954, Archbishop Makarios visited Athens and persuaded the Greek Government to place the Cyprus question before the United Nations. While in Athens, he laid the foundation for the organization of the Islands national resistance and as a result EOKA, National Organization of Cyprus Fighters, was formed. As Governor of Cyprus, Sir John Harding sought to restore the relations with the United Kingdom, by negotiating with both the Greek-Cypriot and the Turkish-Cypriot communities on the island, while the British Government was negotiating with the Greek and Turkish governments. negotiations with Archbishop Makarios III were unsuccessful and, eventually, Harding exiled Makarios to the British Colony of Seychelles. Harding was the Governor of Cyprus from 1955 to 1957, Cyprus being a British colony at that time.

Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s).

Physical Description: Ink on paper 400 x 560 mm