ATATURK IN THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS IN THE PERIOD OF REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS (1960-1963)

Abstract

The developments and revolutions in Türkiye were quickly adopted and accepted by the Turkish Cypriot community, even though it was under the British colonial administration. The Turkish Cypriot community has shown its loyalty to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, and to Türkiye without hesitation under all circumstances. Almost all of the Turkish Cypriot newspapers published on the island included discourse and news texts exemplifying this attitude. After the British colonial rule that dominated the island for many years, the bi-communal Republic of Cyprus was established on 16 August 1960 as a result of the desire to end the tensions between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots. Although the new order created under the guarantorship of England, Türkiye and Greece aimed for the two communities to live in a peaceful and democratic environment, the bicommunal Republic of Cyprus survived for only three years and the process failed. The general discourse reflected in the Turkish Cypriot press in these years continued within the framework of loyalty and love to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Türkiye, as in previous years. This study aims to analyze the news about Atatürk, which was reflected in the Turkish Cypriot press during the bi-communal Republic of Cyprus. For this purpose, the news reflected in the newspapers about Atatürk were examined and evaluations were made. It has been determined that the news reflected in the press about Mustafa Kemal Atatürk are generally related to his military aspect. There are also several newspaper articles describing his literary side. In addition, there are also articles showing loyalty to Atatürk and his revolutions. As a result of this study, it has been determined that Turkish Cypriots see Atatürk as a leader and take an example in their own struggle for independence.