The “Erenköy Epic”, brought into existence by the Turkish Cypriot university youth, which is one of the most important symbols of the struggle of the Turkish community to exist in Cyprus, will live with all its aspects at the Walled City Museum.

In 1964, the Turkish Cypriot university students studying abroad, of whom the majority were students studying at the universities in Turkey, gathered in Erenköy for the struggle to defend their homeland, which stands out as one of the most important figures in the history of events leading to independence. At that time, the defense of the Erenköy, the only region linking Cyprus to Turkey, would mean something vital in order to keep the Turkish Cypriots alive on the island. Therefore, many Turkish Cypriot youths, most of whom were students studying at the universities in Turkey, paused their education and participated in Erenköy battle and carried out an epic struggle against Greece supported Greek troops despite all the impossibilities in the region.

Miscellaneous Erenköy Collection
The Erenköy Battle, which has an important place in the history of the Turkish Cypriot Struggle, will be kept alive by using many materials related to the Erenköy Battle at the Walled City Museum. Among the materials to be exhibited, materials such as clothes, weapons and vehicles used by the mujahideen during the Erenköy Struggle will also be exhibited, as well as important historical documents from the period. Models of torpedo boats, fishing boats, and dinghies that enabled the mujahideen to reach the island will also be exhibited. In addition, the struggle of the mujahideen in the Erenköy region will be portrayed by the award-winning painters in various aspects and with different techniques. In addition, silicon sculptures and bronze busts of some important figures who participated in the Erenköy Battle will take their places in the Walled City Museum.

Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul: “It is extremely important for us to transfer the epic battle in Erenköy to the future”
Head of Near East Museums Department Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul reminded that against the attacks launched by the Greek Cypriots to connect Cyprus with Greece, Turkish Cypriots carried out resistance against the Greeks in order to save their lives, prevent massacres, and ensure their existence on the island, fighting with limited supplies in many places. Prof. Dr. Özkul said that the Erenköy Battle has a very important role and place in the struggle of the Turkish Cypriots at that time because Erenköy was the only port to link Turkish Cypriots to the motherland Republic of Turkey.

Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul said, “As the Near East Family, it is extremely important for us to transfer the epic struggle in Erenköy, which is one of the important cornerstones of the struggle for existence of the Turkish Cypriot community in this land.” Prof. Dr. Özkul said, “We want to contribute to Turkish Cypriot youth in knowing their past and building their futures on solid foundations by exhibiting our past, especially our recent past, both at the Walled City Museum and at the Cyprus Turkish National History Museum to be opened in the near future.”