Watermelons, culture, tradition and tomatoes feature in fairs as village festivals continue
MULTIPLE celebrations were had at the opening of the fifth Doğancı Watermelon Festival on Wednesday, as it also saw the launch of the Doğancı Cooperative Fikri Orakçıoğlu Park and picnic area.
The recreation site — built by the Doğancı Cooperative Credit Company — was named in memory of village resident Fikri Orakçıoğlu, who provided a variety of services in the area and died in 2015.
The festival — organised by Doğancı Development Association (Dokad) — continues tonight with concerts by local musicians Zeki Karahanoğlu and Hasan Ergel from 9pm. Turkish band Kolpa end events tomorrow, with a performance at 9.30pm.
Summer festivities continued with Gazimağusa’s third Traditional Tuzla Fair and the seventh Çamlıbel Tomato Festival, near Lapta, both of which finished on Sunday, and were hailed by Tourism and Environment Minister Fikri Ataoğlu as contributing to economic development and to the promotion of the country’s culture.
Meanwhile, Polish, Argentinian, Slovak and Kazakh dance troupes performed to crowds at the fifth International Folk Dance Festival in Beyarmudu, which finished yesterday. The village is also hosting the eighth Potato Culture and Art Festival, which continues tonight with bingo and live music by Efkar, Sultan Durusular and Kader Ateş. The Beyarmudu Municipal Turkish Classical Music Choir and Group SOS perform on the final night tomorrow.
In Girne district, a packed programme is in store at the fourth Traditional Alsancak Sea Festival, which starts on Thursday. A procession will start at 7.30pm at the Lemar supermarket car park, before the festival opening in the village at 8pm.
Entertainment from 9pm includes a Croatian and Macedonian folk dance show, and a concert by Azeri artist Nigar Muradova.
Friday’s activities start with a 9.30am swimming competition at Mare Monte Beach, followed by kite activities at Lapta Yavuzlar High School at 4pm, and a 7.30pm darts tournament at Baroosh Bar. A children’s choir concert, dance shows and more live music feature in the evening entertainment, from 8pm. The festival runs until next Sunday, August 12, with live shows from 8pm.
Hellim lovers will be in for a treat during the third Akçay Dairy Fair to be held in Akçay village, near Güzelyurt on Friday and Saturday, August 10 and 11. Dairy produce such as a range of cheeses will be available at stands, and music and dance shows will also feature from 8pm each day.