Cyprus produce and culture celebrated in Geçitkale
CYPRUS produce and culture was celebrated at Geçitkale village, where four municipalities joined forces for “Cittaslow Sunday”.
The municipalities of Geçitkale, Mehmetçik, Yeniboğaziçi and Lefke, members of the international Cittaslow movement, organised an olive-themed fair to promote the crop and other local produce on Sunday.
The TRNC municipalities were among 236 member locations in 30 different countries marking Cittaslow’s International Day of Good Living.
Delicacies such as green and black olives, rice with snails, herse (a wheat, corn and chicken dish), çörek bread and hellim, as well as handicrafts were offered at stands by local producers and artisans. Music performances were staged by the Othello Choir, groups Otantika and Saki, and Lefke Municipality Children’s Choir, while folk dance troupes from all four villages also put on a show.
In his speech, Yeniboğaziçi Mayor Mustafa Zurnacılar urged more support for olive production, while Cittaslow Cyprus coordinator and Mehmetçik Mayor Cemil Sarıçizmeli said Cittaslow was significant to local produce and culture.
Geçitkale Mayor Hasan Öztaş emphasised the importance of Cittaslow member municipalities coming together to organise such an event.
Founded in Italy in 1999, the movement aims to slow and improve the quality of life in towns and protect local and cultural values in towns.
❐DIRECTORS of the Büyükkonuk-based Slow Food Komi Kebir represented the TRNC in Turin, Italy, last month at the world’s largest Slow Food Festival.
They joined counterparts from 150 countries, met Slow Food founder Carlo Petrini and discussed the upcoming second Mediterranean International Slow Food Festival with eastern Europe and Middle East representative Michele Rumiz.