Presidents to kick off July 20 celebrations
PRESIDENTS Ersin Tatar and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will kick off Peace and Freedom Day celebrations in North Cyprus at a starstudded football match in Lefkoşa on Monday.
Turkish soccer legends Hamit Altıntop, Hakan Ünsal, Tuncay Şanlı and Nihat Kahveci are reported to be among the players that will take to the field at the Atatürk Stadium on the third and final day of the International North Cyprus Culture and Sports Festival, which starts today.
According to the official festival programme, Mr Erdoğan will give a speech at the stadium from 10pm to 10.30pm on Monday evening following speeches between 9.30pm and 10pm by Evkaf foundation head İbrahim Benter, Archers’ Foundation head Haydar Ali Yıldız, and Mr Tatar; and a folk dancing performance at 9pm.
Following the speeches, Mr Erdoğan and Mr Tatar will then get a “hall of fame” match under way, which is due to finish at 11.10pm. The night will end with a “light show” and pyrotechnics display. Members of the public are invited to attend the free event.
A statement from the organisers said: “The International Northern Cyprus Culture and Sports Festival is held to commemorate the 47th anniversary of the Cyprus
Peace Operation launched by the Turkish Armed Forces in order to eliminate the oppression and persecution of the Turkish Cypriots and bring peace to the island.
“The festival . . . will celebrate the fight for independence of the Turkish Cypriots and the existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
“Even though the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is exposed to discrimination on global platforms, the territory of Northern Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriots have made history with roots dating back centuries, and unique culture and values.
“The festival, which will be held with the motto ‘A World of Northern Cyprus’ with national and international events and guests, will introduce the culture of the Turkish Cypriots and the value they add to the world in the international arena.
“The festival programme will include various activities from mini golf to traditional archery, and from victory parades to international friendlies.” More information about the festival can be found at theworldofncyprus.com.
An official programme of events for Tuesday, July 20, the anniversary of the start of the Peace Operation, has yet to be released.
However, Mr Erdoğan and his large entourage are expected to join Mr Tatar for the traditional main military parade in Lefkoşa on Dr Fazıl Küçük Bulvarı.
He is expected to visit Maraş, also known as Varosha, and attend ceremonies to open the new Lefkoşa bypass road and the laying of foundations for an “e-Government Data Centre”.
There are also reports that Mr Erdoğan will make a “historic speech” at the TRNC Parliament. However the main opposition Republican Turkish Party and the Social Democracy Party have said that they will not attend the session. Meanwhile 14 US senators have written a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to “pressure Turkey to halt its provocations in Varosha”.
“The US and the EU should make clear to President Erdoğan that continuing to violate United Nations Security Council Resolutions and the rule of law is unacceptable,” they said.