Filenews 16 March 2021 - by Andreas Pibisis
A series on the basis of Turkish propaganda for the period 1963-1974 is being prepared by Turkish television with the aim of being shown on the eve of the start of a new effort in Cyprus. This caused the excitement of Ersin Tatar who rushed to occupied Famagusta and to the site where the shooting took place.
The TV series is entitled "Bir Zamanlar Kibris" (Once Upon a Time in Cyprus) and will be screened by the Turkish state channel TRT 1. Its main theme is the events between 1963 and 1974, according to the Turkish view of history.
According to Ersin Tatar, the series will consist of 26 episodes and will be broadcast in many countries abroad in addition to its screening in Turkey. It should be noted that in several countries abroad, with which Turkey has excellent relations, Turkish television series are particularly appreciated.
In his statements, Ersin Tatar said the series "will present what happened in Cyprus and the suffering suffered by the Turkish Cypriots". He also claimed that The Turkish Cypriots had been "forcibly expelled from the state apparatus". He said that with the start of armed attacks against them and in the face of the risk of its extermination, Turkish Cypriots were forced to flee their homes and territories. Something that's also reflected in the series.
The Turkish Cypriot leader revealed that the first episode is scheduled to air at the end of March. The timing of this series is by no means accidental, something that Ersin Tatar has acknowledged through his statements. The T/C leader said the series will be screened at a time of "intense preparations for the informal 5+1 meeting, with Cyprus at the centre of international attention".
E. Tatar also said that despite the high cost of the series, it is politically very important "because it will show the whole world the struggle we are waging in order to achieve our survival on this island".
And he implicitly admitted afterwards the propagandistic expediency of this particular series, saying characteristically that "our struggle as a Turkish Cypriot people is not over". To refer below to the current developments in Cyprus saying: "Our position is clear. Negotiations on a federal solution have failed due to the hegemonic aspirations of the Greek Cypriots. Our new vision is a solution based on the sovereign equality of two states that will have cooperative relations with each other." According to Tatar, a series such as the one to be shown on Turkish television "will give strength to the Turkish Cypriots for their struggle". To continue reiterating his well-known positions on Turkey's support.
In addition to what was stated by Ersin Tatar, it should be noted that the timing of its promotion has to do with events beyond developments in Cyprus and with two other historical events: the first is the completion of 200 years since the start of the Greek struggle against the Turks in 1821 and the second is the beginning of the EOKA struggle on 1 April 1955 and was directed against the British colonialists.
