The first episode of “Once Upon a Time in Cyprus”, produced by the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT), was premiered at the Rauf Raif Denktaş Cultural and Congress Centre in Gazimağusa.   The series depicts the Turkish Cypriot people’s struggle for existence and sovereignty and was also shown on TRT 1. 


President Ersin Tatar and First Lady Sibel Tatar attended the premiere and watched the first episode of the series with the Republic of Turkey Vice President, Mr Fuat Oktay. 

Covid-19 measures were followed and 250 people were admitted into the hall which is large enough to hold 900 people.

Prime Minister Ersan Saner, ministers and the cast of the series also attended the event.

Speaking to the press at the event, President Ersin Tatar stated that the series is extremely important for the voice of the Turkish Cypriot people to be heard worldwide and thanked everyone who assisted and contributed.


Stressing that the message of the series is important,  the President pointed out that it will show to the whole world  the sacrifices made and hardship suffered  by the Turkish Cypriot people in their struggle to exist in Cyprus.

Pointing out that April 1 is the anniversary of the establishment of the Greek Cypriot EOKA terrorist organisation, the President stated that Turkish Cypriots have resisted fatal attacks, genocide and persecution and emphasised. He said the struggle of Turkish Cypriots struggle to exist in Cyprus is continuing with the support of Turkey. 


President Tatar stated that the sovereignty, independence and the TRNC will be protected, because this is what Turkish Cypriots are entitled to after enduring so much pain, suffering and atrocities over the years.

Vice President of Turkey,  Fuat Oktay, congratulated the producers and everybody involved in producing the TRT series  and pointing out that he had also visited the film set.   "I know we will watch a spectacular series,” Mr Oktay stated.


Vice President Oktay stressed that the series is very important in terms of reminding the children and young people as to how Cyprus came to be where it is now and what it represents in the light of the upcoming five-plus-UN informal meeting to be held in Geneva, and said that he believed the children and young people would once again remember and comprehend what EOKA, Enosis and Akritas Plan represent. 


Mr Oktay said that the series will also show the atrocities, pain and sufferings endured by Turkish Cypriots and how they arrived to the present day. “Today, we want to carry forth a completely different and stronger Cyprus to the future . . . this will be a bridge from the past to the future,” he said.   

Mr Oktay said: "I believe that the Turkish nation will be waiting anxiously for the series to be broadcast.  Let us inform all the audience that a great drama is coming.”