The 6th Doğancı Watermelon Culture and Arts Festival got underway on Tuesday with a cortege.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the festival Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu touched upon the importance of organizing the festival and thanked those who contributed to the festival and opened stands.
Noting that festivals contribute to arts and culture not being forgotten, Ataoğlu emphasized that the unity and solidarity at festivals are important and valuable.
Parliamentary Speaker Zorlu Töre also said a few words during the opening ceremony.
He said that local production is being protected in many areas in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and that this is important. “We should always protect domestic production” said Töre.
Stating that the TRNC has been living in peace since the 1974 Peace Operation, Töre said, “We are equal with the Greek Cypriot side. What is inequality is that the world does not recognize us. It recognizes the Greek Cypriot side, but Türkiye recognizes us.”
The festival will continue until Thursday, September 7.