CYPRUS BARBARISM MUSEUM
The TRNC Museum of Barbarism is a house in Nicosia that has been converted into a museum to commemorate the Bloody Christmas events of Cyprus.
In December 1963, during a raid on the Kumsal neighborhood of Nicosia by armed Greek Cypriot groups, the family of Major Nihat İlhan was murdered in this house. The museum focuses not only on this event but also on the massacres, social structure, and political developments of those years.
The Cyprus Museum of Barbarism, which has become a symbol of the just struggle of the Turkish Cypriot people, has been restored in line with contemporary museology principles.
Memory Pool
The memory pool is an interactive application where photos float on a touchscreen. When a visitor drags one of the photos to the area in front of them, the selected image becomes visible and an informational text appears.
Chronology Wall
The chronology wall in the entrance hall aims to explain to visitors the general history of Cyprus and the historical background of the Bloody Christmas events, which are the focus of the museum. The events are arranged chronologically from right to left, supported by photographs, newspaper clippings, and explanations.
Martyrs' Wall
A digitally rendered image featuring the names of citizens martyred in the Beach Raid is projected onto one wall of the room, interpreted with artistic flair. To show respect for the martyrs and reflect the weight of the losses, the room contains no content other than the names of the martyrs.
By utilizing digital presentation capabilities and enriching the content with a wider range of resources beyond limited visual photographs, the Museum of Barbarism offers visitors a compelling experience.
Talking Portraits
The digital application, located on two kiosks facing each other in the museum hall, contains excerpts from interviews with witnesses Kemal Öztürk, Işılay Arkan, İsmail Bozkurt, Prof. Dr. Ata Atun, Mehmet Küçük, Sevilay Sadıkoğlu, and Yılmaz Bora.
Period Room
The clothing of the massacre victims and blood-stained personal items (bathrobes and towels) found in the bathroom are displayed in a showcase in this room.
Documentary Room
The documentary room houses a documentary about the events that took place between 1954 and 1968, and the social life of Turkish society during that period. The events are recounted through the memories of witnesses and supported by photographs, films, and newspaper headlines from the time.
While preserving the legacy left to us by history, we also provide visitors with the opportunity to experience the emotions of that era through the original content we develop.
Bath
In the bathroom, the most striking area of the building, the interior of the bathroom where the massacre took place can be seen through the protective glass. On the opposite wall inside the bathroom, a digital image has been created representing the sudden shooting and murder of the İlhan family, who were in the bathroom in the natural course of their lives.