Turkish Cypriots commemorated the first anniversary of the catastrophic earthquakes in southeastern Turkey by honoring the memory of the 49 Cypriots who perished, including the “Champion Angels” school volleyball team. Ceremonies in the Famagusta district emphasized the community’s quest for justice and accountability, as they continue to mourn the profound loss.
What did Turkish Cypriots commemorate on the first anniversary of the February 6, 2022 earthquake?
Turkish Cypriots commemorated the first anniversary of the catastrophic earthquakes that struck southeastern Turkey by honoring the memory of the 49 Cypriots who perished. Ceremonies in the Famagusta district paid tribute to victims, including the “Champion Angels” school volleyball team, and emphasized the community’s quest for justice and accountability.
A Day of Remembrance and Grief
Turkish Cypriots across the north of the island marked a solemn day of remembrance on the first anniversary of the catastrophic earthquakes that struck southeastern Turkey. It was a time to honor the memories of the 49 Cypriots, whose lives were lost amid over 50,000 others on that tragic day, February 6, 2022. Commemorations in the north centered on the city of Famagusta, as the community continues to mourn the profound loss.
The epicenter of these remembrance efforts was the Famagusta district, where a large number of the Cypriot victims hailed from. This included the “Champion Angels”, a term endearingly used to refer to the Famagusta Turk Maarif Koleji school volleyball team, comprising students and teachers who perished in the collapse of the Isias hotel in Adiyaman. The hotel’s destruction claimed the lives of 24 children and 11 teachers who were staying there.
Ceremonies of Justice and Hope
At the break of day, a poignant ceremony unfolded at a cemetery in Famagusta, where the 35 victims from the TMK school team were laid to rest. Later in the day, the skies were dotted with balloons—a symbol of the community’s quest for justice. As the evening approached, the somber tones of a religious memorial service resonated from the Lala Mustafa Pasha mosque, offering solace to the grieving families and friends.
Rusen Yucesoylu Karakaya, a bereaved parent who lost her daughter Selin in the disaster, spoke of an unending sorrow and the eerie silence that now pervades her once lively home. Her testimony reflects a sentiment shared by all affected families—a deep sense of loss that time has yet to heal. Karakaya’s leadership in the “Keeping the Champion Angels alive association” underscores the communal determination to seek accountability for the hotel collapse that claimed so many young lives.
The Fight for Justice
The pursuit of justice remains a cornerstone of the grieving process for the families left behind. Recep Kilic, who miraculously survived the hotel’s destruction, vividly recounted his harrowing experience. Yet, the survival of parents like Kilic contrasts starkly with the loss of their children, underscoring the profound and lasting impact of the tragedy.
Four fathers, still grappling with disbelief, emphasized their collective resolve to see justice served for their children. Their voices joined a chorus of those demanding accountability and change, ensuring that the memories of the lost will lead to a safer future.
Leadership Acknowledges a Nation’s Wound
Ersin Tatar, the Turkish Cypriot Leader, addressed the community, acknowledging the deep wounds inflicted by the disaster which remain unhealed. Similarly, the north’s ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel reflected on the enduring pain that has not subsided even as time marches forward. The earthquakes, while not physically destructive to Cyprus, inflicted a deep emotional toll that left the country shaken.
The leaders’ messages highlighted a collective commitment to support those affected by the tragedy and to keep the memory of the “Champion Angels” and all other victims alive in the hearts of their people. The anniversary served as a reminder that the impact of such events transcends borders, touching the very soul of communities far and wide.
1. What did Turkish Cypriots commemorate on the first anniversary of the February 6, 2022 earthquake?
Turkish Cypriots commemorated the first anniversary of the catastrophic earthquakes that struck southeastern Turkey by honoring the memory of the 49 Cypriots who perished. Ceremonies in the Famagusta district paid tribute to victims, including the “Champion Angels” school volleyball team, and emphasized the community’s quest for justice and accountability.
2. Where were the commemoration ceremonies held?
The commemoration ceremonies were held in the Famagusta district, which was the epicenter of the remembrance efforts. This district was significant as many of the Cypriot victims hailed from there, including the “Champion Angels” school volleyball team.
3. What were some of the activities during the commemorations?
The day started with a ceremony at a cemetery in Famagusta, where the victims from the “Champion Angels” school team were laid to rest. Later in the day, balloons were released as a symbol of the community’s quest for justice. In the evening, a religious memorial service was held at the Lala Mustafa Pasha mosque to offer solace to the grieving families and friends.
4. What is the community’s pursuit in the aftermath of the tragedy?
The pursuit of justice remains a cornerstone of the grieving process for the families left behind. The community is determined to seek accountability for the hotel collapse that claimed the lives of many young people. The voices of the affected families, along with four fathers in particular, are demanding justice and change to ensure a safer future.
