President Ersin Tatar attended the commemoration night for Turkish Cypriot Birkan Uzun
A remembrance night was held in memory of Turkish Cypriot Birkan Uzun which was attended by President Ersin Tatar.
Photos
The occasion, organised by his family and friends, was held at the Güzelyurt Atatürk Cultural Centre, where different photographs of Mr Uzun were placed at the central lobby for people to see of Mr Uzun from key moments of his life. The evening commenced with a minute’s silence followed by the playing of the National Anthem.
Mr Uzun, 28, from Güzelyurt, was living in Seattle, US. He graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and successfully climbed five out of the planned seven summits of the world under his ‘7 Summits 7 Continents’ project to hold the TRNC flag at the peak of every continent. His fifth and last summit was in Vinson Massif, Antarctica, on December 16, 2021. The TRNC and Turkish world were shocked after he died following a skiing accident in Oregon, USA, on January 1, 2022.
Addressing the participants, President Tatar drew attention to the fact that Birkan Uzun impressed everyone with the video he had recorded during his summit in the high mountains of Antarctica next to his TRNC flag, and the inspirational messages he had given.
"While we were excitedly waiting to welcome Birkan in the TRNC, we unfortunately received the news of his death," President Tatar said. Emphasising the importance of keeping the name of Birkan Uzun alive forever, President Tatar added: “Birkan loved his country and people and gave a very important and inspirational message that Turkish Cypriots need to continue on their just cause. He remembered his country and explained our plight to the people during his voyages and mountaineering world summits. But Birkan had an exceptional academic success – having graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and having worked in world giants Amazon and Madrone.”
Expressing his condolences to his family and loved ones, President Tatar said: “Birkan is a source of pride, of hope and inspiration for our youth. He proved that the summits of success can be reached through determination, willpower, and vision. We are lucky to have had a son such as Birkan from our country. He will forever live in our hearts.”
"Embrace your loved ones today as you may not have that opportunity tomorrow"
Father Cengiz Topel Uzun said: “We are in deep pain and mourning. His family, friends and loved ones – who continue the process of bereavement, organised this event to remember Birkan and the legacy he left behind. My son made our country proud through his successes. He has become a beacon of hope for our youth. We will never forget the momentous occasion and honour of when he recorded the video clip during his climb in Antarctica, and the important and inspirational messages he had given.” Father Cengiz Topel Uzun said: “Embrace and hug your loved ones as you may not have that opportunity tomorrow.”
In addition to President Ersin Tatar, the event was also attended by Prime Minister Dr. Faiz Sucuoğlu, some ministers and deputies, Birkan Uzun's family and loved ones.
The event was completed with the last recorded video of Birkan Uzun, which was which includes the messages he gave next to the TRNC flag on Antarctica's Vinson Massif.
Mr Uzun, 28, from Güzelyurt, was living in Seattle, US. He graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and successfully climbed five out of the planned seven summits of the world under his ‘7 Summits 7 Continents’ project to hold the TRNC flag at the peak of every continent. His fifth and last summit was in Vinson Massif, Antarctica, on December 16, 2021. The TRNC and Turkish world were shocked after he died following a skiing accident in Oregon, USA, on January 1, 2022.
Addressing the participants, President Tatar drew attention to the fact that Birkan Uzun impressed everyone with the video he had recorded during his summit in the high mountains of Antarctica next to his TRNC flag, and the inspirational messages he had given.
"While we were excitedly waiting to welcome Birkan in the TRNC, we unfortunately received the news of his death," President Tatar said. Emphasising the importance of keeping the name of Birkan Uzun alive forever, President Tatar added: “Birkan loved his country and people and gave a very important and inspirational message that Turkish Cypriots need to continue on their just cause. He remembered his country and explained our plight to the people during his voyages and mountaineering world summits. But Birkan had an exceptional academic success – having graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and having worked in world giants Amazon and Madrone.”
Expressing his condolences to his family and loved ones, President Tatar said: “Birkan is a source of pride, of hope and inspiration for our youth. He proved that the summits of success can be reached through determination, willpower, and vision. We are lucky to have had a son such as Birkan from our country. He will forever live in our hearts.”
"Embrace your loved ones today as you may not have that opportunity tomorrow"
Father Cengiz Topel Uzun said: “We are in deep pain and mourning. His family, friends and loved ones – who continue the process of bereavement, organised this event to remember Birkan and the legacy he left behind. My son made our country proud through his successes. He has become a beacon of hope for our youth. We will never forget the momentous occasion and honour of when he recorded the video clip during his climb in Antarctica, and the important and inspirational messages he had given.” Father Cengiz Topel Uzun said: “Embrace and hug your loved ones as you may not have that opportunity tomorrow.”
In addition to President Ersin Tatar, the event was also attended by Prime Minister Dr. Faiz Sucuoğlu, some ministers and deputies, Birkan Uzun's family and loved ones.
The event was completed with the last recorded video of Birkan Uzun, which was which includes the messages he gave next to the TRNC flag on Antarctica's Vinson Massif.