The history of printing in Cyprus has significantly influenced the island’s cultural and social structure. Ahmet An explores this history in his work, “History of Turkish Printing in Cyprus.” The arrival of printing in Cyprus coincided with the late Ottoman period and initiated a significant transformation with the transition to British rule.
Effects of Printing on the Island
The initial steps toward establishing printing in Cyprus were taken through Egypt. During the Ottoman period, there was very little presence of printing, as handwritten works were prevalent. An notes that this process came to fruition after a waiting period of 300-400 years. With the development of printing, particularly the widespread emergence of newspapers, it offered a tremendous opportunity for the dissemination of knowledge among the public. At this point, printing not only sustained journalism but also continued to evolve by incorporating other forms of publication, such as books and magazines.
Transition to Latin Letters
The relationship of Turkish Cypriots with printing reached a significant turning point, especially with the use of the Latin alphabet. According to An, reading in old Turkish letters was becoming challenging, and educational opportunities were limited. However, the increase in the school enrollment rate under British rule provided fertile ground for the development of printing alongside the education of the public. In the early stages, the use of Latin letters began primarily in newspaper headlines and gradually expanded to all texts. An states that following the transition to Latin letters in Turkey in 1928, this shift became widespread in Cyprus around 1929-30.
Furthermore, it is understood that the printing presses not only published newspapers but also produced various by-products and generated income through these means. Ahmet An particularly highlights Dr. Hafız Cemal’s preparation of brochures to inform the public, in addition to various publications. In this context, the products created by the printing presses during the British period played a vital role in maintaining the flow of information on the island.
Unfortunately, copies of “Saadet,” the first newspaper reflecting Cyprus’ printing history, have not survived to this day. However, there are sources that attest to the existence and importance of this newspaper. An notes that this newspaper is included in the Cyprus Bibliography.
Finally, the fact that printing house owners also served as newspaper editors had a significant impact. Ahmet An emphasizes that printing house owners invested in founding newspapers to spread their own ideas, and sometimes cooperated with Greek printing houses during this process. This situation illustrates that the history of Turkish printing in Cyprus possesses a multifaceted dynamic.
Source: www.yeniduzen.com
