The founding President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will be remembered on Saturday with ceremonies on the 12th anniversary of his death.
The late leader of the Turkish Cypriot struggle for freedom Dr. Fazıl Küçük will also be remembered on Monday January 15 on the 40th anniversary of his death.
The first ceremony for Denktaş will take place at his mausoleum in Lefkoşa at 10am where wreaths will be laid, a moments silence observed followed by the reciting of the national anthem and the lowering of flags to half-mast.
Following the signing of the special book by President Ersin Tatar, the late Denktaş’s son, Serdar Denktaş and President Ersin Tatar will deliver speeches.
A second ceremony will be held at the Atatürk Culture Center (AKM) in the morning.
Again speeches will be delivered by Serdar Denktaş and President Tatar followed by an oratorio by the Osman Örek Vocational High School Choir.
Meanwhile, the late leader of the Turkish Cypriot struggle for freedom Dr. Küçük will be remembered on Monday January 15 on the 40th anniversary of his death.
The first ceremony for Küçük will take place at his mausoleum in Hamitköy, Lefkoşa
A second ceremony will be held for Küçük at the Atatürk Culture Center (AKM) during which Dr. Rifat Siber will speak on behalf of Dr. Fazıl Küçük’s family.
The Lefkoşa Turkish High School choir will perform an oratorio at the ceremony.
In the meantime, state and government officials have issued messages on Friday to commemorate the late founding President Rauf Denktaş.
The Speaker of Parliament Zorlu Töre in his message paid tribute to the late president, stating that he was a true leader who had dedicated his life to the independence and freedom of the Turkish Cypriot people and the Cyprus issue.
The Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu who also issued a message said that the late Denktaş was one of the greatest leaders in Turkish political history.
He said that Turkish Cypriots owed their freedom and independence today to the struggle waged by Denktaş and his colleagues.
“His greatest legacy and heritage he has left behind is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. We will defend its existence and ensure that it survives for future generations,” Çavuşoğlu said.