TRNC's longest-running festival revives art in Famagusta: The island's festival spirit...

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has very rich lands, both archaeologically and culturally. Dozens of festivals related to culture and art are held in the TRNC every year. The longest running of these various festivals, spread across Lefke, Güzelyurt, Girne, İskele, Lefke and Gazimağusa, is the International Famagusta Culture and Art Festival.

The foundations of the festival were laid in 1995 by the then Mayor of Famagusta, Oktay Kayalp. The festival met with the people of KTTC for the 25th time in its 30th year and judging by the interest of the people, it is obvious that it is a festival that has been embraced. The fact that a festival has been embraced by the people means that it can continue breathlessly for many years... The people of Famagusta have achieved this...

VALUE OF ART

During our stay in TRNC for the festival, we saw that both the festival team and the municipality officials were tightly embracing the festival in order to keep this festival, which the public embraces, alive. The warm interest shown by the people of Mağusa to the guests who came for the festival, their interactive participation in the show during the concert/show, and the fact that there was no distraction while the artist was performing his art, show how much they value art and the artist.

While we were in the TRNC for the festival, which will continue until July 15, we asked the festival's founder, former mayor Oktay Kayalp, who governed Famagusta for 20 years, and the current mayor, Dr. Süleyman Uluçay, about the festival.

'THE WORLD RECOGNIZED'

Kayalp stated that when they first started the festival, the understanding of culture and art in local governments was limited to folk dance activities and shows. Kayaalp said, “However, with the content and broad vision of our festival, we brought different branches of art to our country and pioneered the wider treatment of art in local governments. Many municipalities have done similar work in this regard after us. The most important feature of the festival is that we offer art events that our own people can watch in different parts of the world at very low prices. Famagusta and Cypriots watched the art of different cultures here. This was an important local government service for us.”

He emphasized that Famagusta is known worldwide for its cultural heritage and historical texture and said: “This is the city of Shakespeare’s Othello. This is the city of Leonardo da Vinci’s architectural designs. This is the city of Namık Kemal, who spent his exile here. We combined this cultural heritage with art and pioneered the introduction of our city to the world. Art was a tool for us at one point; our events were published in the art agendas of dozens of countries in the world. We also ensured that the city of Famagusta was introduced to the world. I think this is two important services for our city.”

'IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION AND VALUE'

The current president Uluçay also said that Famagusta is the second largest city in the TRNC and made the following statements: “The International Famagusta Culture and Art Festival has had a very positive impact on culture and art festivals, culture and art activities in our country. We are proud that this continues. I believe that these activities and this festival provide significant contribution and value to our country as a whole. I believe that the festival will continue to successfully serve as a bridge in bringing new ideas and new understandings to our country.

CLOSING WITH CANDAN ERÇETİN

The 25th International Famagusta Culture and Arts Festival continues until July 15. As part of the festival, Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol Quintet, led by Grammy-nominated composer, multi-instrumentalist and jazz pianist Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol, will perform at Othello Castle on July 7. Othello Castle will host Paris-based Collectif Medz Bazar on July 8. The group will bring Turkish and Armenian folk music traditions to the stage with modern arrangements and original compositions.

On July 10-11, the play “A Night in the Castle” will be staged again at Othello Castle, directed by Achilleas Grammatikopoulos. The play is about the night of jealousy and conflict between two Cypriot couples, a Greek and a Turkish. The closing of the festival will be with the powerful voice of Turkish music, Candan Erçetin. Erçetin will perform her most beloved songs at the Salamis Antique Theater. All events will start at 21:00.