The 46th Güzelyurt Orange Festival organized by the Güzelyurt Municipality started with a cortege on Monday.
State and government officials all attended the festival and delivered speeches pointing to the importance of preserving the area and its production.
The festival’s opening ceremony started with dance performances at the Güzelyurt Festival Park Amphitheatre.
Delivering the opening speech at the festival Güzelyurt Mayor Mahmut Özçınar emphasized the importance of keeping the citrus identified with the city alive and stated that they are determined to ensure the continuity of citrus and to keep the festival spirit alive through the traditions and customs in the city.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu during his speech noted that festivals are very important for the survival of Turkish Cypriot culture and thanked everyone who contributed to the organization of the festival.
The Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Zorlu Töre for his part underlined that the people of Güzelyurt, who have been organizing festivals in these lands for 46 years, have integrated with their lands and pointed out that Güzelyurt and the production in Güzelyurt should be protected and local production should not be given up.
President Ersin Tatar who also said a few words at the ceremony touched upon the problems experienced in citrus fruits this year and expressed his belief that these problems will be overcome in the coming period.
Emphasizing that Güzelyurt is a beautiful homeland, Tatar pointed out that citrus and other crops are grown in Güzelyurt and that it is important to work on species changes in the light of the water coming from Türkiye and developments in the world.
Tatar concluded his speech by congratulating everyone who contributed to the organization of the festival.
After the speeches, plaques were presented to the sponsors who contributed to the organization of the festival.
The festival continued with the concert of GRUP SAMİDA.
The festival, which will continue until June 30, will host colourful events such as concerts, dance shows, a children’s festival and a backgammon tournament.