Caretta weekend

A KARPAZ festival this weekend celebrates “a quarter of a century of endurance” by the North Cyprus Society for the Protection of Turtles (Spot), with food, drink and concerts, daytime activities on Ayios Philon beach and a rare opportunity to view the peninsula from the air.

The two-day-and-one-night event promises spectacular views of Golden Beach and Zafer Burnu (Cape) on tandem microlight and gyroscope trips with the TRNC Air Sports Federation from 9am to 7.30pm today and tomorrow. Flights are priced from 200TL per person.

Ayios Philon beach activities begin at 9am today with a turtle nest excavation which will be repeated at 9am tomorrow. Beach cleans are scheduled for 10am and 3pm and a 10.30am competition to Be a Turtle is promised ahead of an 11.30am tug of war challenge.

More fun is promised in a daylong sandcastle competition from 11am, with Crab Walk and Box Jump competitions at 3pm and 4pm before a 7pm hatchling release.

Events move to the Dipkarpaz village festival area, near to the local football pitch, for the launch of food, drink and craft stalls at 7.30pm tonight ahead of speeches and a 9pm primary school folk dancing show.

Spot volunteers will also man a stall offering details of festival events and information on their work with sea turtles.

Concerts kick off at 9.30pm with Murat Dağ and Mazlum Keleş, followed by Olga Matiuc at 10pm and a final 11pm concert by Fikri Karayel.

The event is jointly organised with Dipkarpaz Municipality, entrance is free and festivalgoers should bring their own water bottle. In order not to disturb the sea turtles, overnight campers are reminded that it is forbidden to camp on protected beaches or where their lights may be seen from the sea.

For more information, call 0542 881 3750.