We are deeply saddened to report that Nick Germanacos, CFP Board Director Emeritus, passed away last week in San Francisco after a long illness. Nick joined the CFP board in 2011, when the Cyprus Friendship Program was formed. He and his wife Anne had run the Ithaka Cultural Studies Program on the islands of Kalymnos and Crete for nearly 30 years. Born in Cyprus, Nick brought this educational experience and his personal understanding of the Cyprus conflict to guide CFP policy and curriculum development. His energy, wit, and insight spurred board discussion in meaningful ways. His spirit, wisdom and humor are left for us in his four collections of poetry: Ora et Labora, Potshards, Water Words and Nu? — Su?
Ever the educator, Nick wanted to share a final message with his fellow Cypriots:
***To my Turkish-speaking and Greek-speaking Cypriot sisters & brothers, children & their families, I say this:
“The struggle for peace never ends.” I suspect you have learned this yourselves through your seeking peace on our island with the CFP. But it still needs to be said over and over again.
Our island home has had a turbulent history for thousands of years, exposed as it is at a critical geographical crossroads. Conquerors, raiders, travellers, traders have come and gone. Many settled, and our island community has absorbed them all so that today we are a diverse and culturally rich community.
A line, they say, divides us. I say that line is not on the earth itself. I say that line is in our minds and in our hearts. Our CFP story tells that that line can be erased with a change of mind and an opening of the heart. I have seen that feat accomplished at every graduation ceremony that I have attended. I have talked to you, the children, and your families, and I have seen you address each other as “My Brother” or “My Sister.” I witnessed your Grandmothers embrace, and say, ”Sister”, and your fathers take each others’ hands and look into each others’ eyes, and say, “Brother”.
And the ugly line we thought was made of walls, barbed wire, guns and checkpoints, was erased every time two of you said, “I love you.”
So let us all say it again and again and again.
Nick Germanacos,
Teacher, Poet, Cypriot