The 19th of May Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day gifted by the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk to the youth is being celebrated with ceremonies and activities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Events held to mark the occasion kicked off in the capital Lefkoşa today with a torch lighting ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu said that Turkish Cypriots continued to walk into the future on the path set by Atatürk and his principles.
Events marking the 19th of May Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day started on Tuesday with a ceremony held in front of the Atatürk Monument in Lefkoşa.
Wreaths were laid, a minutes silence was observed and flags were raised to the national anthem during the ceremony.
Addressing the ceremony, the Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu said that the fire of independence lit by Atatürk in Samsun had also inspired Turkish Cypriots in their national struggle for existence.
He added that Turkish Cypriots had created a homeland for themselves through great sacrifice despite all the oppression and difficulties, refusing to become servants of neither the Greek Cypriots nor the British.
“Today, our determination not to bow down to the oppression of other countries that disregard our identity continues. And for this we established the TRNC,” he said.
Çavuşoğlu added that their goal was to raise the happiness and welfare of the Turkish Cypriot people, guided by Atatürk’s principles and thoughts.
“We will never allow attempts to destroy our identity, our character, our existence” Çavuşoğlu noted, adding that the Ministry of National Education, along with its 4500 teachers and 57,000 students, were the guarantee of the future of the TRNC.
The National Education Minister said that the countries which did not educate their youth at some stage handed over their sovereignty to others which was why it was important to raise generations who understood the importance of sovereignty.
He also commemorated the teachers who have deeply instilled the wisdom, principles and thoughts of Atatürk within Turkish Cypriot society.