Mormenekşe blooms with first festival
THE first ever Mormenekşe Culture, Art, and Producers’ Festival took place last Sunday in the Gazimağusa district village, attended by dignitaries including President Ersin Tatar, Prime Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu and Parliament Speaker Zorlu Töre. The festival began with a parade and a “mini dance show”, before a ribbon was cut by the Prime Minister. A painting exhibition named “Remains” was then opened in memory of the late board member of the Mormenekşe Modern Women’s Association, Hatice Öztüren. There was then a moment of silence, and a rendition of the national anthem.
A series of speeches were made at the festival, including by Mormenekşe Modern Women’s Association president Hayriye Ertugay Tokyay.
Ms Tokyay spoke of her aims to strengthen women in the social, cultural, and economic sectors, and to transfer cultural heritage to future generations.
Sevilay Öztemiz, the mayor of the Yeniboğaziçi Children’s Municipality, also made a speech, saying that “my primary wish is that all of our people get away from the troubles of this difficult pandemic and the cost of living, and have a nice day”.
Mormenekşe muhtar Saim Aytürk used his speech to say that “the whole world has seen difficult days, but we swam and swam and we came to the end”. He then welcomed visitors to the festival.
Dr Sucuoğlu’s speech had a different tone, as he spoke about how the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had a negative impact on the whole world, and that the world is struggling to overcome the damage inflicted on the global economy.
He said that his government is “fighting patiently for the future”.
Mr Töre followed him by saying that festivals like the one being held in Mormenekşe “make great contributions to our home economy, social, and family life”.
The stage was then left to dancers, with the North
Cyprus Black Sea Cultural Association’s “Stars of the North” team performing a traditional Black Sea dance,
before the Gazimağusa Municipality Folk Dancing Team
also performed. Grup Otantik also took to the stage with a concert of Cyprus songs.
President Tatar, who did not make a speech, shopped from the stalls at the festival, chatted with members of the public and posed for photos.