Today marks the 109th anniversary of Türkiye’s Çanakkale naval victory during World War I.

Various ceremonies are being held throughout the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to commemorate the Çanakkale martyrs and to celebrate the anniversary of the historic victory.

The first ceremony was held at the Tekke Bahçesi Martyrs Cemetery in Lefkoşa at 9am this morning.

The second ceremony took place at the Boğaz Martyrs’ Cemetery where Tatar delivered a speech.

During the ceremony soil from the martyrs’ cemetery was handed to the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Metin Feyzioğlu by President Ersin Tatar to be taken to Anıtkabir, Atatürk’s mausoleum.

Addressing the ceremony, President Ersin Tatar said that the victory at Çanakkale ignited the national sentiment for the Turkish War of Independence which was crowned with the modern Turkish Republic.

He said that Çanakkale also served as a source of inspiration for the Turkish Cypriot people in their own struggle for freedom.

“We move forward in pride today thanks to the victory of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk at Çanakkale. For this we are eternally grateful,” Tatar said.

The president concluded his speech by paying his respects to the martyrs.

The third ceremony of the day will take place at the Gazimağusa Martyrs’ cemetery during which both President Ersin Tatar and the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Metin Feyzioğlu will deliver speeches.

Separate ceremonies were held at the Karaoğlanoğlu Martyrs Cemetery, the Taşkent Martrys Monument, the Atatürk bust in Güzelyurt, in front of the Larnaka Martyrs’ Monument in İskele and the Kemal Özalper Martyrs’ Cemetery in Lefke.