The influence of the Young Turks, which stretches back from the lines of history to the present day, was brought to the forefront at Near East University through the narrative of Dr. Sibel Siber.
At an event organized by the Department of Public Administration of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at Near East University, the book “The Young Turkish Movement in Cyprus: The Club,” written by Dr. Sibel Siber, the first female Prime Minister of the TRNC, was introduced. Shedding light on the history of Cyprus, the book attracted considerable interest from students. The event explored the intellectual movements and organizations that shaped the political development of the Turkish Cypriot community.
The event was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bilge Azgın, Head of the Department of Public Administration at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at Near East University, and featured Dr. Sibel Siber as the speaker. In her book “The Club,” Dr. Sibel Siber examines the impact of the Young Turk movement in Cyprus, along with the socio-political conditions of the period. Dr. Sibel Siber evaluated the impact of Ottoman modernization on the island in light of historical documents. The event also featured a video presentation detailing the historical process of Brothers Society and its impact on the political, cultural, and social life of the Turkish Cypriot community. The presentation, supported by authentic documents and archival photographs, covered numerous details, from the club’s founding and transformation to its vision and mission.
Dr. Sibel Siber touched upon the intellectual transformation of the Turkish Cypriot community in her presentation, stating that the Young Turk movement played a significant role in shaping concepts such as freedom, reform, and identity awareness in Cyprus. She also emphasized that this work is not merely a history book but also a document of a journey of enlightenment stretching from the past to the present. At the end of the event, participants had the opportunity to discuss different perspectives on the political and cultural history of Cyprus through questions posed to Dr. Siber.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bilge Azgın: “A society without history is rootless!”
In her opening speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bilge Azgın addressed the ongoing struggle for Turkishness on the island since the 1800s, stating that the book ” The Club” utilizes strong historical foundations by including newspaper clippings dating back to ancient times. Emphasizing the crucial importance of understanding historical development for the identity formation of societies, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Azgın said, “A society without history is rootless.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Azgın stated that “The Club” reflects the Cyprus issue by focusing on the recent period as well as the past, reflecting a historical reality.
Dr. Sibel Siber: “Passing this historical legacy to future generations is a social duty!”
In her speech, Dr. Sibel Siber emphasized the crucial importance of preserving the Brothers’ Society Club, which has left a profound mark on Turkish Cypriot history, in the collective memory. Siber stated, “The Brothers Society is not merely an association; it is a center of thought and enlightenment. This institution must not be erased from social memory but passed on to future generations.” Siber stated that the club played a decisive role in the Turkish Cypriot community’s struggle for identity, emphasizing that the Brothers’ Society Club should therefore be transformed into a living museum that continues its activities. She noted that the Brothers’ Society Club, founded in 1908 at the initiative of prominent community leaders of the time, became an organized center of resistance for Turkish Cypriots seeking their rights during the years under British colonial rule. She gave examples of the club’s importance in raising political and social awareness. He said, “In those years, the Brothers’ Society Club was one of the only platforms where the people could make their voices heard. It undertook a pioneering mission in protecting social rights and seeking justice and equality.”
Siber emphasized that the Brothers’ Society Club was not only a political center but also a cultural and artistic meeting point. She noted that the club brought the Turkish Cypriot community together with art by organizing theater plays, concerts, exhibitions, and literary evenings. She said, “The Brothers’ Society Club become a cultural center with its theater plays, poetry nights, and concerts. It paved the way for society to express itself and learn free thought.” At the end of his speech, Siber stated that the Brothers’ Society Club “was a symbol of the Turkish Cypriot community’s struggle for modernization and liberation, even under the oppressive conditions of colonial rule,” emphasizing that passing this historical legacy on to future generations was a “social duty.”
