Ceremony Commemorates 20 July Peace and Freedom Day at Denktaş’s Mausoleum
Ceremony Commemorates the 20th of July Peace and Freedom Day at Rauf Raif Denktaş Mausoleum
A ceremony was held at the Mausoleum of Founding President Rauf Raif Denktaş to mark the 20th of July Peace and Freedom Day. The event began with the laying of wreaths, followed by a moment of silence and the raising of flags accompanied by the national anthem. The ceremony concluded with President Ersin Tatar signing the Memorial Special Book.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were President Ersin Tatar, President of the Assembly of the Republic Zorlu Töre, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, President of the Supreme Court Narin Ferdi Şefik, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Nicosia Metin Feyzioğlu, 2nd President Mehmet Ali Talat, 39th Division Commander Brigadier General Hasan Paçalı on behalf of the Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces Command, Commander of the Security Forces Major General Zorlu Topaloğlu, Chairman of the Main Opposition Party Tufan Erhürman, alongside other military officials, ministers, bureaucrats, and representatives of non-governmental organizations.
President Tatar expressed his sentiments in the Memorial Special Book, stating, “Our Founding President Rauf Raif Denktaş, we are once again in your presence on the 49th anniversary of the historic day we reached, thanks to your great struggle, determination, resistance, and sacrifices. The Turkish Cypriot people regained their freedom, independence, their own state, and homeland through the Happy Peace Operation after an epic resistance, and your struggle and principles continue to guide us. We continue to move forward with determination and resolve in the direction you have shown us, not giving up on the state, freedom, sovereignty, and our motherland, Turkey.”
He further added, “We have not forgotten you, and we will not forget you. You will forever live in the hearts of the Turkish Cypriot people and the Turkish nation. As we pay our respects and express gratitude once again on the 49th anniversary of the Happy Peace Operation, we remember you with mercy, love, and great longing. May your soul rest in peace.”
The ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the historic events and the enduring legacy of Rauf Raif Denktaş.
