Lefkoşa, December 22, 2025: Commemoration ceremonies were held across the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as part of the annual 21–25 December Struggle and Martyrs Week, paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the Turkish Cypriot people’s historic struggle for existence, freedom, and dignity. The week marks one of the most significant and painful chapters in Turkish Cypriot history and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made to safeguard their collective identity and future.
Remembrance events took place in Gazimağusa, Girne, Güzelyurt, and İskele, where officials, veterans, students, and citizens gathered to honour the martyrs. Speakers at the ceremonies highlighted the hardships endured during the struggle, recalled the resilience shown by the community in the face of violence and oppression, and underlined the honourable resistance of the Turkish Cypriot people. The events featured speeches, poetry recitals by students, special prayers for the fallen, and visits to martyrs’ cemeteries and monuments, reflecting a strong sense of national unity and remembrance.
On the occasion, TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel issued a message marking Struggle and Martyrs Week. In his statement, Üstel said he commemorated the beloved martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for the existence and freedom of the Turkish Cypriot people, with mercy, gratitude, and deep respect. He stressed that the nation would never forget the price paid for freedom and sovereignty.
Prime Minister Üstel recalled that the attacks which began on 21 December 1963, later known in history as “Bloody Christmas,” represented one of the most painful attempts to annihilate the Turkish Cypriot people. He emphasized that during this dark and difficult period, the community defended its existence, honour, and future with extraordinary fortitude and determination. Üstel noted that this just and legitimate struggle became a historic turning point, paving the way toward freedom, self-determination, and eventual sovereignty.
The Struggle and Martyrs Week ceremonies once again reaffirmed the Turkish Cypriot people’s commitment to preserving the memory of their martyrs and passing on the values of resilience, unity, and dignity to future generations, while renewing their resolve to protect the hard-won rights and independence of the TRNC.
