The first ceremony in Kemal Özalper Martyrdom took place at 18.00. The ceremony, which started with the laying of wreaths in accordance with the protocol, continued with a moment of silence, a shot gun salute of respect for the fallen martyrs, as the flags hoisted to the accompaniment of the National Anthem. After the ceremony, the special book of martyrdom was signed. The ceremony ended with a prayer for the martyrs.

The second ceremony took place in front of the Atatürk Monument in Lefke Atatürk Park. The ceremony started with the welcome by the band units and the laying of wreaths on the Atatürk monument according to the protocol order.

During the ceremony, which continued with the National Anthem and the raising of the flags, the ceremonial units were inspected by the protocol, greetings were conveyed and poems were read.

 



“THESE CEREMONIES SHOULD BE ORGANIZED AS A STATE CEREMONY”

In his speech at the ceremony in front of the Atatürk Monument, President Ersin Tatar stated that such ceremonies used to be held at the level of the district governor's office, but are now held as State ceremonies. The President emphasised the need to organise such events as State ceremonies in order to establish historical consciousness.

President Tatar emphasised that the Turkish Cypriot people have been fighting for existence in these lands since 1571.

 



“THE INDEPENDENCE, FREEDOM, LIBERTY AND SOVEREIGN OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE IS IMPORTANT”

Stating that Lefke is an Ottoman town with its history and culture, President Tatar said:

“What could be more natural than for us to take care of Lefke? Of course, the region may have problems. Our government is very sensitive to overcome these problems. But managing the economy during the pandemic is not an easy task. The important things are the independence, freedom, liberty and sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot people. It is a struggle to live upright in this land. If all these can be sustained, the problems will be resolved. No one should doubt that.”

Reminding that the Mehmetçik (Turkish army) had stepped on the soil of Cyprus when the Peace Operation of 1974 had been held, the President said that peace had come to the island following 11 years of great suffering of the Turkish Cypriot people.

 



“A SETTLEMENT BASED ON SOVEREIGN IS POSSIBLE”

President Ersin Tatar said that 47 years ago, on 16 August 1974, with the liberation of Lefke, the borders of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus were in a way determined, and continued his speech as follows:

“We came to these days because of our strong faith, our big heart, and achieved a great success, peace and security. On a day like this, it is necessary to give a message: On such a day, we would like to once again share with you that in order to determine the future of the Turkish Cypriot people, only an agreement on the basis of sovereignty will be viable and sustainable by taking lessons from what has been lived in the past and planning with this awareness of history.

“We will never allow the Turkish Cypriot people to break their ties with Anatolia. It is important for us to raise the status of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, to further consolidate the sovereignty and existence of the Turkish Cypriot people and their ties with the Republic of Turkey,” the President said.

Pointing out that he put forward a new policy after he was elected President, President Tatar emphasised that there could be an agreement with the coexistence of two States existing side-by-side, that are in a cooperative relationship.

“Because what matters to us is our existence, our future, our survival” the President said. “I am in favour of a strong, permanent and sustainable agreement for the guarantee of existence as a separate people”.

 



“THOSE WHO SUFFERED GENOCIDE SHOULD BE ASKED :WHO MADE RACISM IN THIS COUNTRY”

Responding to the "racist" advocacy made against him, President Tatar said:

“We need to ask those who went through  genocide in Ayvasıl, Muratağa, Sandallar, Taşkent, Bloody Christmas and other places, who committed racism in this country… Those who still try to discuss our vaccination cards and put all kinds of obstacles on the Turkish Cypriot people, I consider it my duty to call out to those who try to break us from Turkey and Turkey's effective and de facto guarantee, who try to make us go on our knees with an imposed solution known as a federation. What is important to us is the future of our own people, their survival, our national unity and solidarity in our struggle for existence in this land with honour and dignity.”

 



“NEW GENERATIONS MUST BE RAISED WITH NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS”

Expressing that the Turkish Cypriot people should know their history while shaping their future, the President emphasised the importance of raising new generations with national consciousness. President Tatar, who commemorated the martyrs with mercy and gratitude on the 47th anniversary of the liberation of Lefke, also expressed his gratitude to the veterans.

Referring to the fire and flood disasters in Turkey, President Tatar conveyed his well wishes to Motherland  Turkey, and wished mercy to those who lost their lives and a speedy recovery to the injured.