The hate-fest, and Erhurman’s fun club

Opinion 1974Cyprus problemturkeyturkish invasion The hate-fest, and Erhurman’s fun club Kokkina Odofragmata 1536x865 Relevant News The hate-fest, and Erhurman’s fun club 11 August 2026 Overnight pharmacies on Tuesday, August 11 11 August 2026 Larnaca hotel occupancy falls 15% amid Middle East war 11 August 2026 Costas Venizelos 11 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber He was the conductor of the orchestra at this festival of hatred, yet he’s still the darling of a certain crowd back in the free areas. We’re talking about Tufan Erhurman, who turned up, as he always does, at the annual carnival of hate and fanaticism at Kokkina. He had no choice, his fan club here will doubtless explain. He was obliged to attend. Why? Because that’s what Ankara’s regime demands, and its policy of keeping the hatred alive. So once again this year, the Turkish side staged its celebration of the Turkish bombing raids on Tylliria in August 1964, and apparently that’s supposed to pass as “normal”, even expected. Bombing raids. Deaths. Destruction. That’s what counts as a celebration. Undermining the Republic of Cyprus, that’s worth celebrating. Trying to tear the state apart, that’s worth throwing a party over. Ankara’s stooge did what he always does: he took the podium. He talked about future generations, and about lessons from the past. Among other things, he said: “…resistance was one of the strongest indicators of the Turkish Cypriot people’s will to protect their existence, freedom and dignity… The debt owed to the martyrs and veterans will be repaid by upholding the values for which they fought.” The message couldn’t be clearer. He didn’t put it quite as bluntly as his predecessor. This one knows how to dress it up. Long before he was ever chosen to lead the secessionist entity, Erhurman had already dropped any mention of what a settlement might actually look like. That became even more obvious once he took the job. He’s scrupulous about avoiding the subject, in public statements and in private meetings alike. At his recent meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and President Christodoulides, he said he “isn’t ready” to talk about federation. He didn’t say when he might be ready. Or whether he ever will be. He’s clearly waiting for a green light from Ankara. One that will never come. And he knows it. And yet some in the free areas still insist on treating Erhurman as a leader of “the solution”, a “progressive”. The poor souls even argue that his rise to the top of the secessionist entity opened the door to talks. Really? Then why haven’t we seen any negotiations? Take the moment the UN Secretary-General proposed opening two crossing points: Erhurman agreed to it over dinner, only to turn round the next day at the joint meeting and call it a misunderstanding. His excuse? He hadn’t quite understood. Presumably he couldn’t get a signal to ring Mr Hakan during dinner. He managed it afterwards, Hakan was furious, and suddenly Tufan’s agreement was… a misunderstanding after all. He’d apparently thought Louroujina was part of the deal too. You could try to explain this soft spot, this admiration for Erhurman among a section of people in the free areas, as pure politics. But it isn’t only political. Ankara’s stooge has admirers in the free areas, and in the circles of foreign diplomats too. Just as Erdogan once did. So why are they even allowed to do this? To take part in the hate-fest at Kokkina, participants have to pass through the free areas. This year around 1,250 Turkish Cypriots made the trip, bussed in from the occupied north on 50 small coaches. Others arrived by sea, and by military helicopter, the same helicopters used to ferry in officials from the secessionist entity and the occupying army. Among those who flew in by helicopter: Ankara’s stooge himself, Tufan Erhurman. This is the scene that gets staged every 8 August at Kokkina. The Republic of Cyprus should not be lending a hand to make these celebrations happen, to honour an act aimed at undermining it. An act of aggression against it. It cannot keep providing… a service that helps set the stage for hatred and division. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Overnight pharmacies on Tuesday, August 11 Larnaca hotel occupancy falls 15% amid Middle East war Cyprus makes AI Olympiad debut with four bronze medals The punk and the bruiser: Invasive species thrive as global warming transforms the Mediterranean Forest patrols prevent disaster at Akamas beach barbecue, Koutrafas fire Gulf shipping traffic via Strait of Hormuz falls to six vessels Thai PM suspends firearm purchase licences after school shooting Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.