August 1974: From war-torn Cyprus to London

London has become home to many people from all over the world and in some cases, it's due to wars in their homeland.

This was the case for one family who fled Cyprus after the second Turkish invasion, from 14 to 16 August 1974.

For almost 50 years, the conflict has defied efforts of the United Nations and the European Union at resolution. The result is generations that have grown up knowing only the division of the island. It still remains Europe’s longest unresolved conflict. Almost 40% of Cyprus, the northern part which is occupied by Turkey, is not internationally recognised.

There are around 300,000 Cypriots living in the UK, many of which are here in the capital. Baz Bedrossian was just nine-years-old in 1974, when he came to London as a refugee with his family. They left their belongings behind at their home in the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia, which remains Europe’s only divided capital city.

Looking back over the years, Baz and his family recount memories of how they made a home for themselves in London.

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