A number of ceremonies were held this morning to mark the 83rd anniversary of the death of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern day Turkey
Sirens went off at exactly 9:05am marking the time of the death of the most revered figure in modern Turkish history.
A minutes silence was observed and the flags were lowered to half mast across the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Separate ceremonies were held throughout all districts.
A ceremony was realised at 9am at the Atatürk Monument in the capital Lefkoşa.
Wreaths were placed, a minutes silence observed and the flags were lowered to half mast followed by the reciting of the national anthem.
The day’s second remembrance ceremony was held at the Atatürk Culture Centre in Lefkoşa at 9.30am.
Speeches were delivered on behalf of the Commander of the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus and the Turkish Embassy in Lefkoşa.
The Minister of National Education and Culture Olgun Amcaoğlu and President Ersin Tatar also delivered speeches at the event.
Amcaoğlu in his speech said that today was not only a day to remember Atatürk but to understand him better and to be a better patriot.
“It is a day to carry our republic and our independence to a higher level. To uphold his (Atatürk’s) principles,” he said, adding that the first step in raising new generations was to be able to think like Atatürk.
Also speaking at the ceremony, President Ersin Tatar said that the process leading to the creation of the Turkish Republic, as with other oppressed nations and peoples, had served as a source of inspiration for Turkish Cypriots in their struggle for existence.
“We are a nation that upholds the principles and reforms of Atatürk. He was a great leader who had drawn attention to the importance of Cyprus” he said.
Tatar also pointed to the importance of acting together with Turkey which is currently the strongest country in the region.
Drawing attention to Atatürk’s words that independence and freedom were part of the Turkish nation’s character; President Ersin Tatar said that they will continue to work to exist in Cyprus as two equal states.
The ceremony came to an end with an oratorio and presentation delivered by the Lefkoşa Anadolu High School of Fine Arts.