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Martyrs Commemorated at EMU

The Eastern Mediterranean University Atatürk Research and Application Center (EMU-ATATUM)  and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Association of Martyr Families and War Veterans organized a panel within the scope of the 21st – 25th of December Martyrs Week on Thursday, the 21st of December 2017. The panel took place at Mustafa Afşin Ersoy Hall commencing at 14:00 in front of a large audience.

Turgay Bülent Göktürk

The panel commenced after a moment of silence and the national anthem. EMU-ATAUM academic staff member Asst. Prof. Dr. Turgay Bülent Göktürk stated that this week has an important place in Turkish Cypriot history reminding the deep wounds caused by “Bloody Christmas”, an important event in the Turkish Cypriot struggle. Stating “We commemorate our martyrs with respect and gratitude” Asst. Prof. Dr. Göktürk shared a summary of the historical events from 1955 to 1974. Touching upon the existence struggle of the Turkish Cypriots and the lives lost, Asst. Prof. Dr. Göktürk indicated that Turkish Cypriots reached their freedom in 1974. “The geography of those who don’t know their history is drawn by others. We have not forgotten our martyrs; we will not let them be forgotten”.

The panel that commenced after a poem recitation featured the recollections of retired history teacher and martyr family member Aysel Soykara, Taşkent Massacre witness Ersoy Taluğ, Muratağa- Sandallar, Atlılar Martyrs Association Chair Ahmet Aşır and wounded war veteran and martyr family member M. Salih Atagül. The panel was moderated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Göktürk.

Among those in attendance were the Commander of the Cyprus Turkish Peacekeeping Forces Major General Yılmaz Yıldırım, Commander Mahmut Altun, Commander Emin Terzioğlu, Commander Ali Koruk, Colonel Serdar Ünal, Civil Defence Organisation Chair Erdoğan Çelebi, Famagusta Police Forces Director  Ömer Tazeoğlu, Vice Rector for International Affairs and Promotion  Prof. Dr. Cem Tanova and Martyr Families and War Veterans Association General Chair Gürsel Benan .