North Cyprus ready to celebrate 100th anniversary of ‘Victory Day’

TURKISH Cypriots will join Turkey in celebrating and commemorating the 100th anniversary of the country’s “Victory Day” this Tuesday, August 30.

The date, which is a public holiday in Turkey and the TRNC and is also known as Turkish Armed Forces Day, is regarded as one of the most crucial turning points in Turkey’s history when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk declared victory over Greek forces that had occupied western Anatolia in the “Battle of Dumlupınar” on August 30, 1922.

The victory ended the Greek presence in Anatolia and paved the way for the creation of the Republic of Turkey the following year.

Events will begin at 8.45am on Tuesday when Turkish ambassador to Lefkoşa, Ali Murat Başçeri, accompanied by the Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces Commander, Major General Sezai Öztürk, will accept congratulations for the anniversary at the Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces regiment in Ortaköy, Lefkoşa.

A wreath-laying ceremony attended by President Ersin Tatar and other dignitaries will then take place at the Atatürk Monument in Lefkoşa at 9.30am, followed by an official parade on Dr Fazıl Küçük Bulvarı at 10am.

In İskele a wreath-laying ceremony will be held at 4pm at the Atatürk Monument in Ecevit Meydanı, followed by speeches, folk dancing, poem recitals and a parade.

In Girne a wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the Atatürk Monument at 4.30pm followed by a parade.

In Gazimağusa a wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the town’s Victory Monument at 6pm, followed by a ceremony and parade on İsmet İnönü Bulvarı starting at 6.30pm.

Similar events will also be held in Güzelyurt, Lefke, Akdoğan, Geçitkale and Mehmetçik.