The TRNC fell silent this morning as the 79th anniversary of the death of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the late founder of the modern Republic of Turkey, was commemorated.
In the TRNC capital of Lefkosa, soldiers and Veterans lined the streets, and Schoolchildren marched, with Turkish and Turkish Cypriot flags, before a minute’s silence brought the Capital to a standstill at 9.05am, the exact time when Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, had taken his last breath on the 10th of November 1938. The National Anthem was sung loudly and proudly, immediately after the minute’s silence.
Turkish Politicians and Military Personnel were present at the event. Turkish Cypriot President, Mustafa Akinci, Head of the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey, Derya Kanbay, Turkish Cypriot Peace Force General, Yilmaz Yildirim, and Security Commander, Tevfik Algan, stepped forward to sign a commemorative book in honour of the late Founding Father.
Similar commemorations were held at the Near East University, The Ataturk Zafer Aniti in Gecitkale, Mehmetcik, Gazimagusa, Guzelyurt, Iskele Town, Lefke, and Anafartlar High School in Girne, which will be followed by an observation of silence and poetry reading at 7pm Cyprus time.
