History Books That Were Introduced in the Cypriot Educational System and the Reactions of the Cypriot Educational Community and Society

The present study was designed to explore the role of history school books in evaluating the experience of a nation but also to examine the causes behind the reactions of political parties, historians and the wider public. Depending on the sociohistorical context, the aims of history education may range from the inculcation of national identity to the exploration of otherness. Further, among others, it emphasizes in the promotion of historical thinking and historical analysis. Particular emphasis had been placed on school books on the history of Cyprus in 1935 and 2008. Due to the lack of relevant literature concerning the Cyprus context, the main objective of this research project was to provide a better understanding of these reactions, and how they affected the development of history books. The purpose was to acknowledge politicians' and educational modulators' views through archival documents and newspaper articles. Moreover, what was also hoped to be understood were the historical traditions that affected the writing of the history books and also why the content of these history books caused reactions. The findings of the research suggested that new concepts such as globalization, multicultural Cyprus, European and international integrations, traditions and identity came to meet a highly conservative society that shared opinions that history books should be written under the concepts of Greek culture and traditions, and appeal to national ideals and promote and establish national security. The old assumptions that Cyprus must unite and become a part of the Greek state to ensure the national survival of the Greek Cypriots on the island, collided with the new European approaches of facilitating good communication, sincere cooperation, and the need for recognizing the common values and the mutual trust among the citizens of the countries that form the European Union. If this was achieved then it was believed that the new history school books would examine and evaluate the experience of a nation without the fear and tensions of making historical mistakes. An appendix entitled, "October 1931: 'Ta Oktovriana'" is included.