The renewed Atatürk Bust in Köprülü Village, part of Gazimağusa, was unveiled on Thursday in a ceremony attended by President Ersin Tatar, Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Ziya Öztürkler, Mayor of Beyarmudu Bülent Bebek, local students, citizens, and other officials.

The event began with a moment of silence, followed by the singing of the National Anthem, speeches, and the bust unveiling. The ceremony continued with a wreath-laying, group photos, a performance by the Beyarmudu Municipality folk dance team, and recitations of poetry.

In his speech, President Tatar emphasized that children are the country’s most valuable asset and expressed happiness in seeing them as the bright future of Atatürk’s vision.

He noted that the Turkish Cypriot people, by following Atatürk’s principles, has resisted oppression and built the Republic based on its identity and national values.

Tatar further stressed that the Atatürk bust symbolizes the Turkish Cypriot people’s commitment to Atatürk’s values and their dedication to national and cultural heritage.

He reiterated that a fair, lasting solution in Cyprus could only be achieved with the Turkish Cypriot people maintaining their identity and statehood.