THE LAST MEAL IN THE CYPRUS GOVERNMENT HOUSE

THE LAST MEAL IN THE CYPRUS GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Readers mail….

From Sermen Erdoğan. (Australia)…..

Hi everyone, there is so much history in this island of ours called Cyprus. Recently, I was sweetly surprised by my childhood friend Margaret Archibald when I received the following message from her.

“Hi, Sermen. I have found a green book regarding the building of Government House, Cyprus. It has 20 pages. I will try to send copies of the pages; it may take a while. Hope you are all keeping well. Lots of love from your childhood friend, Margaret. X

I was sorting out some paperwork, looking for my address book. It was within the paperwork. My father kept a couple of menus, but I’m not sure you want copies of them either. I’m not sure if I have sent them in the past to you. I was surprised when I found the book this morning. But I was sure it might be of interest to you. If you want I can send the book to you to keep safe. It’s very thin so it won’t be too much trouble to send it to you. Let me know if you want me to send it.

Regards Margaret. X”

I was overwhelmed and very excited by the above message from Margaret Archibald and responded to her news in the following email.

“Alas, Margaret, I cannot believe you are offering it to me. Of course I will love it as I collect anything historical about Cyprus. Yes, please, Margaret. You can send it to me. It is an antique that belongs to Cyprus. I will make it available to the Museum of Cyprus on a borrowing basis on your behalf. This way people can read it and Foot’s name and your father’s name will be known as part of the history of Cyprus Government House. Of course, if you agree to this. Otherwise, I will cherish it in my own library and pass it on to my children. Your childhood friend Sermen xxx. “

I invited the Archibald’s to Cyprus for a reunion and visit the Government house, now the Presidential Palace of Cyprus. Margaret replied as follows.

“I will be unable to make it this year, but David and I will be making plans to visit Cyprus next year. If you can let me know if and when you may visit Cyprus next year. Xx thank you for your address. Lots of love. Margaret Xx”

Margaret’s parcel arrived promptly in 15 days from Wales, England, by registered post. I let Margaret know that I received her parcel in the following message.

“Good morning, Margaret. I received your parcel yester

The Arcibalds and the Erdogan’s children

day. Thank you very much for sending me such a valuable collection. The book and the dinner invitation document excited me a lot and made me think how thoughtful Governor Foot and his wife, Mrs Foot, were to invite both the Turkish and Greek community leaders together to dinner in 1960. It is unfortunate that the two communities did not see eye to eye and make the shared Republic of Cyprus work for the future.

The warring in 1963 has traumatised us forever and the status quo since 1974 has exasperated the will on both sides to live and let live and rule the island of Cyprus sharing the beauty and its good weather.

Anyhow, enough of politics. I am glad you and David are planning a trip to Cyprus next year. If you let us know when and our health permitting, we try to be there to have a reunion of Erdoğan’s and Archibald’s.

I can organise a visit to the Government House now the Presidential palace.

This year I am planning to visit Cyprus in during thr September October period.

Love from your childhood friend

Sermen xxx”

To our readers and followers, I want to make this little booklet on The History of the Government House of Cyprus and the invitation to dinner at the Government House in 1960 available for anyone who is interested.

Firstly, as they are both historically very important documents, and secondly, they are an important find, so thanks to the efforts of Margaret Archibald, who has saved them for so many years and seen fit to return them to Cyprus to their home through me.

Sermen Erdoğan

6.4.2025

To read more of the Erdogans and their childhood, click here and here