It's already the third time that the World Harmony Run has visited Cyprus. To run in that eastern corner of the Mediterranean adds a special flair to our European route.

Cyprus is loaded with history. Since 1974 conflict and politics have dominated the daily life on the island. As we experienced in other troubled zones in Europe (such as Bosnia or Northern Ireland) especially the people there have a strong heart desire for harmony and peace. So it's no surprise to us to find so many good-hearted people here.

The country is still divided, but hopefully in the near future the people will realise that there are many more things which unite them than divide them...

As you may have noticed we didn't write a report on May 3rd, because we were flying from Athens to Cyprus. Here you can see some mountains covered with snow even in these hot days.

Our first meeting in Cyprus was at the Highgate School in the capital Nicosia, where children from twenty different nationalities received us wholeheartedly. The Highgate School is a perfect example how different nationalities and beliefs can work and live together in harmony.

Some children conquered our hearts with joy and sweetness in their eyes like this girl from Canada. Many of them were very excited to learn that the torch was also passing through their own countries and cities.

They also joined us for a run around the blocks in the neighbourhood.

Some facts about this island are not very well known. Since 1974 the island is divided in two parts; the U.N.'s soldiers are still present.

Because it's getting hotter and hotter since we started in Portugal, we were very happy to run near to the sea and enjoy a cool breeze.

After the morning school visit in the southern part of Cyprus, we were warmly received by the rector of the European University of Lefke, on the northern part of the island.

Just three days before he met the founder of the World Harmony Run, Sri Chinmoy, and received a "Lifting up the World with a Oneness-Heart" award.

This small but well kept University is really active in organising meetings with people from different cultures. Our hosts and us shared together wishes for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

TV broadcasted the interview with us.

Our new friends from Lefke....

Each single step helps to encourage people for a more harmonious world!

We also enjoyed running in the countryside.

There are people living in grand houses on both sides of Cyprus like this one.

First afraid or just surprised, then interested, and finally very happy to hold the torch.

Just like Greece, Cyprus maintains some very traditional aspects.

A little peaceful street of Nicosia, with charming houses, unfortunately often abandoned.

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Team Members:
Dipavajan Renner and Jewgenij Kuschnow(Austria), Ondrej Vesely and Rosta Vagner (Czech Republic), Pierre Lantuas Monfouga (France), Valentin Bebik and Nataliya Lehonkova (Ukraine), Janos Derekas (Hungary), Susameepan Kalbitzer(Germany).

Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.

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