The Anchovy Festival was held in Girne over the weekend.
The 16th edition of the event, organized by the Black Sea Cultural Association this year, brought together state and government officials.
In speeches delivered during the festival, sorrow over the tragic fire incident in Bolu Kartalkaya was expressed.
Additionally, the speeches emphasized the importance of cultural integration and conveyed messages of unity and solidarity.
The 16th Anchovy Festival, organized by the Black Sea Cultural Association, was held in Girne on Sunday.
The festival was attended by President Ersin Tatar, Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Ziya Öztürkler, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu, Minister of Public Works and Transportation Erhan Arıklı, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Lefkoşa Yasin Ekrem Serim, several ministers, members of parliament, guests from Türkiye’s Trabzon province and citizens.
Delivering an opening speech the President of the Black Sea Cultural Association Murat Civelek expressed condolences to Türkiye over the tragic fire disaster in Bolu Kartalkaya.
He stated that no traditional Horon dances (folk dances) or music would be performed at this year’s event as a mark of respect and wished that such tragedies never happen again.
Civelek emphasized that the festival was held to preserve unity and noted that such events strengthen the bonds of affection between North Cyprus and the Black Sea region.
Speaking during the festival the Minister of Public Works and Transportation Erhan Arıklı expressed his sorrow over the Bolu Kartalkaya disaster, stating, “This tragedy has deeply affected all our hearts.”
He added that, since 1974, those who migrated to Cyprus from Türkiye brought their traditions and customs, integrating them into the culture established by their brothers and sisters who came to Cyprus from Anatolia in 1571.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu expressed his great pleasure at seeing Cyprus veterans from Türkiye’s Trabzon province at the event, stating, that it is thanks to these veterans that the Turkish Cypriots are here today.
Ataoğlu recalled the immense struggles of the Turkish Cypriot people leading up to the 1974 Peace Operation and emphasized that they will continue working together with Türkiye to ensure a better future.
He also expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy in Bolu Kartalkaya, extended his condolences to Türkiye.
The Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Ziya Öztürkler for his part emphasized unity and solidarity.
He too expressed condolences over the tragic hotel disaster in Bolu, sharing Türkiye’s pain.
“Today, we want to show how important Black Sea culture is, and how our unity and togetherness have continued for many years through its music and traditional dances,” said Öztürkler, thanking everyone who contributed to the event and honored the veterans of the 1974 Peace Operation.
Öztürkler highlighted the significance of President Ersin Tatar’s new political vision and stressed that as long as unity and solidarity remain intact, the flags of both the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Türkiye will continue to fly proudly.
President Ersin Tatar for his part emphasized that cultural activities like this strengthen the bonds between the TRNC and Turkey.
Tatar underscored the irreversible nature of the struggle to maintain an independent Turkish state on the island following the 1974 Peace Operation.
“With your support, we will continue to sustain, strengthen and entrust the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to future generations,” he said.
“Since the Cyprus Peace Operation, there has been peace, security, and the joy of walking toward the future with hope on this island for 50 years. This is not a coincidence but the reflection of a national struggle and will. We exist, and we will continue to exist” he said.