The Cyprus Peace Operation’s 50th anniversary exhibition has opened.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, President Ersin Tatar and Turkish Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler stated that the exhibition is an important treasure trove of information for learning Turkish Cypriot history.
The exhibition, which will be open to visitors until September 30, includes artefacts collected from military museums within the Turkish Ministry of National Defense and museums in the TRNC, as well as the personal belongings of Turkish soldiers and Turkish Cypriot fighters who took part in the operation.
The Cyprus Peace Operation’s 50th anniversary exhibition was opened in order to emphasize the meaning and importance of the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation and to convey it to future generations.
The exhibition was held at the Cyprus Museum of Turkish Cypriot History, Culture and National Struggle in cooperation with the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment, Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Türkiye and the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Lefkoşa.
Delivering a short speech after the opening of the exhibition the Turkish Minister of National Defence Yaşar Güler stated that they are proud to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Peace Operation.
Güler said, “The events that our compatriots were exposed to in the past are presented to us with visual materials. The exhibition is important for learning our history, keeping our historical consciousness fresh and keeping our national unity strong. I commemorate our beloved martyrs with respect.”
President Ersin Tatar also said a few words at the opening ceremony.
He touched upon the honourable struggle of the fighters (Turkish Cypriot fighters) who shaped the future of the Turkish Cypriot people in those difficult years until Türkiye came to the island.
Pointing out the importance of the exhibition in order not to forget the past history, Tatar stated that works from the archive of the Turkish Armed Forces will also be exhibited in this exhibition, which can be visited by everyone.
The exhibition, which can be visited until September 30, includes objects selected from military museums affiliated to the Turkish Ministry of National Defence and museums in the TRNC, as well as photographs prepared by the MSB Visual Production and Photo Film Centre Command.
Among the objects to be exhibited are the belongings of Martyr Captain Cengiz Topel, Major Nihat İlhan’s murdered wife and children, heroic Turkish soldiers and Turkish Cypriot fighters.