On this day, March 12, we mark the anniversary of the adoption of the İstiklâl Marşı, the national anthem of Türkiye, a powerful and deeply symbolic piece that encapsulates the Turkish identity, resilience, and unity.

 

For Turkish Cypriots, this anthem is not just a song or a patriotic melody; it is a testament to our shared heritage, our unbreakable bond with Türkiye, and the collective spirit that has carried us through decades of struggle, perseverance, and national pride.

 

The İstiklâl Marşı is not merely Türkiye’s national anthem, it is our anthem as well. It binds us together in a way that transcends geographical lines, echoing the very essence of what it means to be Turkish. Turkish Cypriots, as an integral part of the greater Turkish nation, stand proudly under the same flag, singing the same anthem, and honoring the same historical and cultural values that define us. This is not about gratitude alone for the steadfast support Türkiye has shown us, it is about who we are.

 

A History Forged in Struggle: The Birth of the Istiklal Marşı

The İstiklâl Marşı was written by the great poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy in 1921, at a time when Türkiye was fighting for its very existence against foreign occupation. The Turkish War of Independence, led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, was a struggle to reclaim the sovereignty and dignity of the Turkish people. The anthem, penned amidst these turbulent times, was a rallying cry for resistance, a testament to faith in victory, and a declaration that the Turkish people would never submit to colonial rule.

 

Mehmet Akif Ersoy, a devout patriot and an exceptional poet, refused financial compensation for writing the anthem, instead donating the prize money to charity, further demonstrating his unwavering devotion to his people and their cause. The words of the anthem reflect not only a call to arms against tyranny but also a spiritual and ideological foundation that remains just as powerful today. Its verses resound with defiance:

 

"Do not fear! The crimson flag waving in these dawns shall never fade…"

These lines are a profound statement of resilience. They remind us that no matter the challenges we face—whether as Turks in Türkiye or as Turkish Cypriots, we stand unyielding in our national identity.

 

Why the Istiklal Marşı Matters to Turkish Cypriots

For decades, Turkish Cypriots have endured systematic exclusion, oppression, and attempts at erasure by Greek Cypriot nationalists who have sought to assimilate or marginalize us. The 1963 forced expulsion of Turkish Cypriots from the Republic of Cyprus government, the EOKA atrocities, and the international blockade that isolates the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) are stark reminders of the struggle we have faced. Yet, through all of this, we have never wavered in our Turkish identity.

 

Unlike the Greek Cypriots, who have unilaterally imposed Greece’s national anthem on their so-called "Republic of Cyprus" despite claiming to represent all Cypriots, our choice of anthem is not an imposed political maneuver. It is a natural and historical reflection of our reality. We are Turkish. Our anthem is the same as Türkiye’s because we are one nation, one people, sharing one destiny.

 

The İstiklâl Marşı is more than an anthem; it is an unspoken vow. It signifies that we, as Turkish Cypriots, stand unwavering in our national consciousness, regardless of international political games. Türkiye has been our protector, our lifeline, and our brotherly homeland, offering us not just military security but cultural, economic, and diplomatic support. Our anthem is not merely sung out of tradition; it is sung out of conviction.

 

The Poignancy of the Istiklal Marşı: An Anthem of Identity

The anthem’s themes of defiance, resilience, and divine justice resonate deeply with Turkish Cypriots. Every line is a poetic manifestation of our struggle:

 

"I have no fear; I have faith, and I will not bow to oppression."

 

 

 

These words reflect our own perseverance in the face of Greek Cypriot attempts to rewrite history and deny us our rights. It is a declaration that we will never be subjugated. Our right to exist as Turks in Cyprus is undeniable, no amount of embargoes, political isolation, or revisionist history can change that.

 

"Who would not sacrifice their life for this paradise of a homeland?"

 

 

 

For Turkish Cypriots, Cyprus is not just land, it is a legacy of Turkish presence and sovereignty. The struggle to keep our identity intact and to preserve the TRNC is an ongoing battle that demands sacrifice, much like the War of Independence that inspired the anthem.

"Smile upon my heroic race, oh glorious crescent! Let this blood of ours be worthy of you!"

We have paid in blood, sweat, and tears for our survival. From the brutal massacres of 1963-74 to the present-day political siege, we have stood our ground with unwavering loyalty to our Turkish identity. The crescent and star on our flag, mirroring the Turkish flag, symbolize our collective spirit.

 

The Hypocrisy of Greek Cypriot Nationalism

Greek Cypriots continuously claim to want a unified Cyprus, yet they enforce Greek national symbols, the Greek flag, and the Greek national anthem upon the so-called "Republic of Cyprus", an entity that was supposed to be a partnership between Turkish and Greek Cypriots. They demand unity, but only on their terms, terms that erase Turkish Cypriot identity altogether.

 

Their argument for a unitary state is exposed as falsehood when one considers that the Republic of Cyprus’ official anthem is not even Cypriot, it is Greece’s national anthem! This alone is proof of their ultimate ambition: enosis (union with Greece), which has been their goal since before 1960. The continued use of Greece’s national anthem is a direct message: Turkish Cypriots were never meant to be equal partners in the Republic of Cyprus. It was always a stepping stone toward full assimilation into Greece.

 

This is why Turkish Cypriots will never accept their so-called "unification" under a Greek-dominated structure. Our anthem is the İstiklâl Marşı because we are not Greeks. We are Turks, and we will never bow to Greek nationalism.

 

Conclusion: Honoring Our Anthem, Honoring Our Identity

On this March 12, as Turkish Cypriots stand with Türkiye in celebrating the İstiklâl Marşı, we reaffirm that our destiny is interwoven with our Turkish brothers and sisters. We sing the same anthem because we are the same people, one nation, one soul, one future.

 

The words of Mehmet Akif Ersoy continue to inspire us, reminding us that the struggle for dignity, freedom, and national sovereignty never ends. Our flag will continue to wave, our anthem will continue to be sung, and our unity with Türkiye will remain unshaken.

 

Let the world hear it loud and clear: Turkish Cypriots are Turks. Our anthem is Türkiye’s anthem. Our destiny is shared. We are indivisible.

 

Happy İstiklâl Marşı Anniversary to all Turks—on the mainland, in Cyprus, and across the world.

 

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References

1. Official Turkish Government Archives – "History of the Turkish National Anthem," Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

2. Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi (TBMM) Archives – "Mehmet Akif Ersoy ve İstiklâl Marşı," Turkish Grand National Assembly.

3. Ankara University Publications – "The Literary and Political Impact of the İstiklâl Marşı," Faculty of History and Literature.

4. TRNC Presidency Official Statements – "The Bond Between Turkish Cypriots and Türkiye: A Historical Perspective," Presidency of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

5. Cyprus Conflict Research Institute – "Greek Cypriot Nationalism and the Official Use of the Greek National Anthem," Analysis on the Political Landscape of Cyprus.

6. Yeni Şafak News – "Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s Legacy and the Meaning Behind the Turkish National Anthem."

7. Daily Sabah – "The İstiklâl Marşı: A Symbol of Turkish Resistance and Identity," March 12, 2021.

8. Hurriyet Daily News – "Turkish Cypriots and Their Shared History with Türkiye: A Look at the Role of the İstiklâl Marşı."