Turkish Cypriots to hold vigil at site where Turkish forces first landed in 1974 on Thursday

The annual dawn vigil at the Yavuz Çıkarma Beach where Turkish forces first landed in 1974 will take place on Thursday night, lasting until first light.

Those who lost their lives for their nation will be commemorated during the event which is being held within the framework of the 44^th anniversary of the 20^th of July Peace and Freedom Day celebrations.

According to a statement issued by the Dawn Vigil Organising Committee, the event is organised every year to mark and re-enact the first moments of the 1974 Turkish Peace Operation during which Turkey, stemming from its rights as a guarantor power, carried out a military intervention to save the lives of Turkish Cypriots.

The event will start at 9:30pm.

A concert by Kıraç will begin at 11pm.

Just after midnight a torch procession will take place and a minutes silence will be observed in honour of those who lost their lives during the beach landing.

The dawn vigil will continue with a fireworks display at 3:45am followed by morning prayers at 4am marking the end of the dawn vigil.

BRTK