← National days · Northern Cyprus (TRNC)
November 15 1983· State day
Founding of Northern Cyprus
On 15 November 1983 the Turkish Cypriots proclaimed the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
On 15 November 1983 the Assembly of the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus unanimously proclaimed the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Rauf Denktaş became its founding president. Türkiye was the first to recognise the TRNC and is its closest ally.
The TRNC is a parliamentary republic with Lefkoşa as its capital. Its flag shows a red crescent and star on white between two red stripes, and a giant image of it on the slopes of the Kyrenia (Beşparmak) mountains can be seen from afar. In 2022 the TRNC became an observer of the Organization of Turkic States.
Republic Day
15 November is the TRNC's greatest state holiday, with an official parade on Dr. Fazıl Küçük Boulevard in Lefkoşa, visits to Rauf Denktaş's mausoleum, and concerts, torchlight processions and fireworks in towns.
Video
Photos
Republic Day parade in Lefkoşa · Seksen iki yüz kırk beş / Wikimedia Commons · CC0 
Republic Day parade · Seksen iki yüz kırk beş / Wikimedia Commons · CC0 
Giant TRNC and Turkish flags on the Kyrenia mountains · Muratsahan / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 
Mausoleum of founding president Rauf Denktaş in Lefkoşa · vlyalcin / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 
Turkish and TRNC flags at Kyrenia Castle · Michal Klajban / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 
Selimiye Mosque in Lefkoşa · Jules Verne Times Two / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 
Kyrenia harbour · Michal Klajban / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Northern Cyprus (TRNC): other days
- January 1New Year's Day
- April 23Türkiye: National Sovereignty and Children's Day
- May 1Labour Day
- May 19Türkiye: Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day
- July 20Northern Cyprus: Peace and Freedom Day
- August 1Northern Cyprus: Social Resistance Day
- August 30Türkiye: Victory Day
- October 3Founding of the Organization of Turkic States
- October 29Republic Day of Türkiye
- December 21Northern Cyprus: Week of National Struggle and Martyrs
- 12 Rabi al-Awwal in the Islamic calendar; moves about 11 days earlier each yearTRNC: Mawlid (the Prophet's Birthday)
- 10 Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar — the feast of the Hajj pilgrimage; moves about 11 days earlier each yearEid al-Adha
- 1 Shawwal in the Islamic calendar — the end of the Ramadan fast; moves about 11 days earlier each yearEid al-Fitr