The Ataturk Research and Application Center of the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU-ATAUM) and the Ataturk Ideology Club, which operates under the General Directorate of Socio-Cultural Activities, organized the events of the National Struggle and Martyrs Week from 21 to 25 December. did.
panel organizer
First, on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 14:30, a panel discussion on “National Struggle and Martyrs Week 21-25 December” was held in Mustafa Afshin Ersoy Hall. Students who had the chance to meet the people who made history had the chance to hear the national struggle of the Turkish Cypriots. The panel opened with a moment of silence and the national anthem. EMU-ATAUM President Assist. Professor Turgay Bülent Göktürk, former Commander Ahmet Sevinç, Muratağa, Sandallar and Atlılar Martyrs Association President Ahmet Aşır, and Turkish Resistance (TMT) Mujahideen Association Vice President Olgun Özçürümez attended the panel as speakers. EMU-ATAUM President Assist. Professor Turgay Bülent Göktürk emphasized that from 21st December he emphasized that the Week of the National Struggle and the Martyrs of the 25th is a very important week for the Turkish Cypriots, thanking the precious Mujahideen who witnessed this struggle live. I expressed my gratitude. Then an assist. Professor Gökturk delivered a statement prepared for the National Struggle and the Week of Martyrs.
After the opening speech, retired Mujahideen Commander Ahmet Sevinci, a living witness to the Turkic-Cypriot ethnic struggle, shared his experience defending Famagusta during the 1974 peace operation. Ahmet his Ashur, president of the Murataa, Atrilal, and Sandalal Martyrs Association, told of the massacres in the villages of Murataa, Atrilal, and Sandalal and his memories of them. The vice president of the association, Olgun Özçürümez, shared with the participants information about the Turkish Cypriot ethnic struggle, especially what he experienced when he returned to the island while studying in Turkey.
After a moving speech, the president of EMU-ATAUM assisted. Prof. Dr. Turgay Bülent Göktürk presented Ahmet Sevinç, Ahmet Aşir and Olgun Özçürümez with certificates of participation.
Visit to Bereaved Families and Injured and Sick Veterans Association
The second event organized by EMU-ATAUM as part of the National Struggle and Martyrs Week, December 21-25, visited Nicosia’s Martyrs’ Families and Disabled Veterans Association. EMU ATAUM President Assist. Professor Turgay Bülent Göktürk, her Süheyla Göktürk of EMU ATAUM Lecturer, and a group of students from EMU ATAUM and her EMUA tatürk ideology club were present at the visit. The visiting delegation was welcomed by Association President Gülsel Benin and members of the Association Executive Committee of the Martyrs’ Families and Disabled Veterans Association.
EMU ATAUM President Assist. Professor Turgay Bülent Göktürk emphasized that the purpose of his visit was that they always supported the families of the martyrs, and that the students could learn more about what Turkish Cypriots experienced in their struggle for survival. It is to provide a background for learning well, and to pass them on to the next generation in the right way.
During the visit, the Benin President of the Society expressed his satisfaction with the visit made during this meaningful week and provided information on the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for survival of the Turkish Cypriots. Benin, also a martyr’s child, created an emotional atmosphere as he shared the memory of the moment he learned of his father’s martyrdom.
At the end of the visit, the Benin President of the Martyrs’ Families and Disabled Veterans Association was presented with a unique gift from the Assist. Professor Gokturk. Meanwhile, Association President Gülsel Benin introduced the EMU ATAUM President Assist. Album about the Turkish Martyrs Cemetery in Cyprus.