While 61 years have passed since the massacre written in history as ‘Bloody Christmas’, those who were martyred in Greek Cypriot attacks continue to be commemorated.

Kumsal Martyrs were commemorated with a ceremony at the Museum of Barbarism.

The ceremony held in front of the monument in the garden of the Barbarism Museum in Lefkoşa was attended by President Ersin Tatar, ministers and MPs, military officials, representatives of political parties, martyrs and veterans associations, students and other organizations.

The ceremony here started with the placing of wreaths, in line with the protocol.

The ceremony continued with a minutes silence, shots being fired and the reciting of the National Anthem.

A poem was read by a primary school student followed by a speech from a military representative highlighting the significance of the day.

President Ersin Tatar also said a few words at the ceremony.

He commemorated the İlhan family with much respect and said “We have neither forgotten nor will we forget. Nor will we allow anyone to forget what happened here”.

Stating that they will never forget the Akritas plan and the genocide attempt against the Turkish Cypriot people, Tatar said, “We will tell our youth and children what happened in the past in order to carry the future into safe hands and for a safer future without forgetting the past. This is our duty.”

Reminding that he went to Elazığ and took soil from the TRNC to the grave of the İlhan family, Tatar said that they never forget their feelings of gratitude and what happened here.

“If we have an independent Turkish state today, it is thanks to our martyrs and veterans,” Tatar said, “Our martyrs will always be in our hearts, in the most exceptional place. While building the future, the independent TRNC will definitely be part of an agreement, and the existence of the Republic of Türkiye is our red line. I shout this in the presence of our martyrs”.

Stating that the federation talks voiced by some circles are a step that could drag the uncertainty and the people into the same danger, Tatar said, “As Founding President Rauf Raif Denktaş said, we want a solid agreement. This will be on the basis of statehood and sovereignty.”

Tatar stated that they will leave a beautiful future for children by protecting national values and taking firm steps towards the future without forgetting these experiences and said, “We will continue to protect the state together.”

Speaking on behalf of the Martyrs’ Families and Disabled War Veterans Association İbrahim Açman said that they will never forget the barbarism that took place 61 years ago in the house called the Museum of Barbarism.

Stating that an inhuman massacre took place in this house, Açman said that the attacks against Major İlhan’s family went down in history as the most brutal attack.

Describing in detail what happened in the house that night, Açman said that they will not forget the past and commemorated the martyrs with respect.