The second Turkish Cypriot Culture and Art Festival in London drew a crowd of 20,000 people.
According to a written statement made by UK Turkish Cypriot Trust, Ziynet Sali gave a concert at the festival organised by the UK Turkish Cypriot Trust.
About 20,000 people attended the festival, which was held at the Lee Valley Athletics Centrei in North London. Bambos Charalambous, Labor Party Enfield MP, Kate Osamor, Edmonton MP, Oya Tuncalı, TRNC London Representative, Çınar Ergin, Consul General of London, Nesil Çalışkan, Enfield Municipality participated in the festival.
Cypriot cuisine, handicrafts, art and music were available the festival, which was also supported by the Turkish Cypriot Association of Turkish Cypriot Contractors, the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry and the Turkish Cypriot Association of Turkish Hotel delegations.
Turkish Cypriot traditions and customs were celebrated at the festival. Kyrenia Young Art Lovers’ Association (Gençsad), led by Tolga Oğuz (Gençsad), staged bride henna, groom shaving. Famous Cypriot artist Ziynet Sali gave a concert.
Serel Yereli performed Turkish and English works. London-born young talent Şifa Abdullah and Ata Kaya followed by soloists Soner Türsoy and Serkan Kelebek Group Butterflies, Cyprus Quartet under Erdoğan Baca and Major Band in Devrim Baca performed their favourite works. Partan singer Ertanç Hidayettin and a theatre group director Fatoş Törer also performed.
Osman Balıkçıoğlu, who continues his art life actively, Kemal Deveci (zurna) and Gökay Uçar (drums) made various sketches and shows. Also, handicrafts, Cypriot food and beverages were exhibited and sold at the festival.
Thousands of people attended the festival and community representatives and many institutions and companies who did not spare their financial and moral support took their places by opening stands. The event was coordinated by Nafiya Horozoğlu, President of the Cyprus Turkish Youth Association.
Festival coordinator Nafiya Horozoğlu emphasized that the festival was not intended for commercial gain but for young people. It is our cause to prevent assimilation of young people in England, to introduce our culture to our young people and to protect the Turkish Cypriot identity, she said.
Kibris News Agency
