The launch of the project “The Rebirth of Silk in North Cyprus,” initiated under the leadership of First Lady Sibel Tatar and under the auspices of the Presidency, took place at the Presidential Palace.

Speaking at the event attended by numerous guests, First Lady Sibel Tatar explained that about a year ago, the foundations of the project were laid based on the suggestion of the President of the Association for Research and Preservation of Cypriot Turkish Handicrafts, Dervişe Çeliker.

Providing information about the contributors to the project, the First Lady thanked everyone for their efforts.

“We have accomplished this project, many people have worked hard. The product of Cyprus is here. I want to say this; today, we will see that the product of North Cyprus can be created by blending the labour, belief, work, and cultural values of our past history with a new perspective, with women’s labour, using completely natural products and methods. We will see that we can produce and win as a result of work and believing in the work you do. Come on North Cyprus, you brought this product to life, you can do many more. To a producing and winning North Cyprus” Sibel Tatar said.

Also addressing the event, President Ersin Tatar thanked his wife Sibel Tatar and her team.

Pointing to the importance of the Turkish Cypriot people to take ownership of their cultural heritage from the past and pass it on to the younger generations, President Tatar said that working and producing was the essence of the job.

“Despite the ruthless games played on us, the obstacles, and restrictions, we are responding with to the mentality on the other side ‘we exist and we will continue to exist because we are producing.’ As a centre of attraction with its infrastructure, all kinds of international contacts, despite the challenges we face, our response is to convert the cultural foundation that has been the essence of our presence in the country from the past into production into the future, and to promote the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to the whole world while carrying our national values, which will lead to both production and prosperity” the President stressed.

Referring to the situation at Pile, Tatar stressed that the only thing they would say to those who perceive the efforts to alleviate the grievances of the citizens in Pile to reach their own areas through road construction as excessive, is “we exist, and we will continue to exist.”

“We are one of the two equal peoples on these lands,” President Tatar said and stressed that the Turkish Cypriot people will continue to exist with their inherent sovereign rights.

Following the speeches, certificates of appreciation and plaques were presented to those who contributed to the project by President Ersin Tatar and his wife Sibel Tatar.