Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment, Fikri Ataoğlu, welcomed artists from the TÜRKSOY Opera Days event, which is set to begin its 25th edition at the historic Bellapais Monastery in Girne this evening.

The delegation, accompanied by Director of the Cultural Department Şirin Zaim Ağaoğlu, included opera singer Nejla Egemen representing the TRNC, as well as artists from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Türkiye, and Northern Iraq.

The TÜRKSOY Opera Days, held under the patronage of the TRNC Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment in collaboration with Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, TÜRKSOY, and the Turkish State Opera and Ballet, has been an ongoing cultural celebration since 1994.

In his speech, Ataoğlu highlighted the significance of TÜRKSOY in strengthening cultural ties among Turkic nations. He also touched upon the historical struggles of the Turkish Cypriots, stating, “No matter the circumstances, we will continue to proclaim that the Turkish Cypriots have always existed and will continue to exist on this land. We are committed to preserving and promoting our culture for future generations and are always ready to cooperate in this mission.”

Ataoğlu emphasized that TÜRKSOY has played a key role in uniting the Turkic world, promoting shared language, history, and culture.

He remarked, “TÜRKSOY has successfully achieved its goals over the years, thanks to a shared will and collaborative efforts. Its mission, which is free of political motives, solely focuses on strengthening the brotherhood and cultural unity among our peoples. This contributes to cultural closeness, dialogue among civilizations, and regional peace and stability.”

The Deputy Prime Minister also expressed his gratitude to Güler Fedai, a valued member of the TÜRKSOY family, for her longstanding efforts in defending the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.

He thanked the TÜRKSOY team for their successful work in fostering cultural development and enrichment across the Turkic world.