November 11 and Dostoevsky’s two hundred and fourth birthday. Also, of course, Remembrance Day, though that isn’t celebrated in North Cyprus. Not that the silent standing to attention already took place yesterday, although it did.
But the commemoration of fallen soldiers takes place on January 27th and 28th, designated as Martyrs’ Remembrance Day(s). The history of martyrdom here is somewhat complicated - and that is only the recent history of fighters defending the territory.
Not going back to Venetian occupancy from 1473 to 1571 or before that Lusignan rule from 1192. That’s not ancient history in this country. Assyrian domination began in the eighth century BCE.
Martyrs’ Remembrance Day seems to focus on more recent defensive action, including resistance to British colonial rule. There were, though, some 30,000 Cypriots serving in the British military during WW II, including soldiers from what is now North Cyprus. Several years ago in Girne we met an elderly Cypriot veteran who had served in the British army.
And, closer to home, today is also Polish Independence Day. The end of WorldWar I meant not only the armistice but the restoration of Polish sovereignty after 123 years. 🇵🇱 Calls for Polish vodka with a touch of pomegranate juice.
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