Carried out in collaboration with the Turkish Language Teaching and History departments of the Near East University Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Center for Cyprus Studies (KTAM), the “Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the Turkish Cypriots” panel addressed in depth the strong ties of the Turkish Cypriot people with Atatürk’s ideas and the historical process of this bond.
The panel, which began with the National Anthem and a moment of silence, was held at the Near East University Grand Library Hall with a large turnout. The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Burak Gökbulut, Vice President of the Department of Social Sciences and Turkish Language Education at the Near East University Atatürk Faculty of Education, while students from the Turkish Language Teaching Department presented a poetry recital. The opening speech of the panel was delivered by Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and Prof. Dr. Şevket Öznur, President of KTAM.
The panel, which addressed the effects of Atatürk’s education and leadership reforms on the cultural, linguistic, social and political development of the Turkish Cypriot community, emphasized Atatürk’s contribution to the identity of the Turkish Cypriot community, while providing a historical perspective to the participants. The panel, in which Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yeniasır, Head of the Department of Turkish Language Teaching from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Demiryürek from the Department of History Teaching and researcher and author Bülent Fevzioğlu were speakers, ended with a Q&A session with the participants.
Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul: “We must always develop and keep alive Atatürk’s thoughts and the values he added to our lives.”
In his opening speech, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Near East University, Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul emphasized that the Faculty of Arts and Sciences is not only a faculty that trains teachers, but is also the source of basic sciences. Underlining that the teaching profession forms the basis of many professions, Prof. Dr. Özkul added, “As a faculty, we are an important part of the international successes of Near East University.”
Referring to the meaning and importance of the day, Prof. Dr. Özkul said, “We have gathered here today to commemorate Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Today is not November 10th, but it is not enough to commemorate or mourn Atatürk only on the day he passed away.” Prof. Dr. Özkul, who stated that “We should always develop and keep alive Atatürk’s thoughts and the values he brought to our lives. If we remain limited to what Atatürk did in the 1920s, his legacy loses its true meaning,” said, and added “We can make his vision and foresight meaningful by carrying it to the present and the future.”
Prof. Dr. Şevket Öznur: “There are many works in Turkish Cypriot literature that were shaped in the light of Atatürk, and this legacy has lived in our hearts in every period.”
Faculty Member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and KTAM President Prof. Dr. Şevket Öznur stated in his speech that this seminar constitutes an important platform to explain what was done for Atatürk and Turkey in the TRNC by the Turkish Cypriot community, to better understand these values and to carry them to the future. Prof. Dr. Şevket Öznur said, “In addition to academic studies, the works of research writers are also of great importance in this direction. Our poets in Cyprus have always dealt with these values in their poems and writings, following in the footsteps of Atatürk and his principles. Even our poets living abroad have expressed their devotion to Atatürk and his ideals through their poems. There are many works in Turkish Cypriot literature that have been shaped in the light of Atatürk, and this legacy has always lived in the hearts of the Turkish Cypriot community.” Prof. Dr. Öznur emphasized Atatürk’s leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community and said, “Atatürk has always been our leader, his principles have always lived in our hearts. We are very honored to commemorate Atatürk every year.”
