“The real sign is in the heart”: BTTÖB issues meaningful message on anniversary of its closure
Founded in 1936 with the aim of fostering solidarity, the BTTÖB played a significant role for decades in the educational and cultural life of the Western Thrace Turkish minority. Through its publications Birlik and Öğretmen, as well as its support for theatre activities initiated by teachers, the association worked tirelessly to help minority children grow into modern, critical-thinking individuals.
In its statement, the union emphasized its efforts to ensure that children were raised with confidence in their own language and culture. It noted that after the 1967 junta, the state’s stance against the term “Turkish” increasingly affected civil society organizations. As a result, all associations bearing the word “Turkish” in their names were shut down in 1983.
BTTÖB highlighted that its own sign was removed on the morning of Friday, December 2, 1983—just two weeks after the declaration of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus—adding that it remains unclear whether the timing was a coincidence.
The statement also pointed out that while some ethnic associations today receive state support, the long-standing—and continuing—hostility towards the identity of Western Thrace Turks remains troubling.
The message concluded with a powerful declaration:
“Removing BTTÖB’s sign does not determine an ethnic identity. The real sign is in the heart. As long as the heart remains intact, identity lives on.”
