A reception was held this morning at the main BRTK building in the capital Lefkoşa to mark the occasion.
The reception was attended by Prime Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu, the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Ali Murat Başçeri, leaders and representatives of political parties, military officials as well as guests and employees.
Delivering the first speech at the reception, the Director of BRT Meryem Özkurt said that BRT, which had been established with primitive means, had in time grown into a modern and fully equipped state-of-the-art broadcasting institution.
She said that the BRT’s broadcasts which could be watched and listened to in all corners of the globe in six languages continued to serve as the voice of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Also delivering a speech, the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Ali Murat Başçeri said that he was proud to be celebrating the 58th anniversary of BRT which had become the voice of the Turkish Cypriot people, starting with the launch of attacks on Turkish Cypriots on December 21, 1963.
Praising the accomplishments of the corporation, the Turkish ambassador said that there was much to be done, particularly in terms of changes and advancements in technology.
He expressed his firm conviction that BRT will continue to play a leading role in the development of media in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Başçeri concluded his speech by wishing BRT all the success for the future.
Delivering the final speech at the reception, Prime Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu said that BRT’s first announcement, “Bayrak..Bayrak…Bayrak” will never be forgotten.
Also praising the contributions of BRT to the Turkish Cypriot people’s struggle for existence, Sucuoğlu reminded that the corporation had begun with a makeshift radio in a garage powered by car batteries, providing much needed morale to Turkish Cypriots who were forced to fend off attacks in enclaves cut off from each other.
“Today, BRT is a modern broadcasting corporation with its three TV channels, six radio stations, web page and online streaming services,” he said.
The prime minister also thanked Turkey for its support for the development of BRT, stating that these contributions could not be ignored or not mentioned.
He pointed out that BRT’s accomplishments were a source of pride for the Turkish Cypriot people and that the corporation which carried out its broadcasts with the awareness and responsibility of a public broadcaster, continued to set an example for other media outlets and institutions in the country.
Sucuoğlu concluded his speech by thanking all past and current employees of the corporation who contributed to the development of the corporation.
Employees who completed 25 years of service at the corporation were handed plaques following the delivery of speeches.
The BRT Director carried out a series of visits to state and government officials this week within the framework of events marking the corporation’s anniversary.
A special anniversary concert was held on Monday and other events are being held until Saturday to mark the anniversary.