Backlash over St Hilarion music event cancellation
ORGANISERS of a music event that had been due to take place at St Hilarion Castle received a backlash from Turkish Cypriots after they cancelled the show due to pressure from Greek Cypriots.
Top Danish DJ and musician Kölsch had planned to perform at the iconic ancient castle on Monday, May 31, as previously reported by Cyprus Today.
The spectatorless performance, supported by UK-based tourism company Cyprus Paradise and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (Tika), was going to be streamed live to millions on the YouTube channel of Cercle, a French techno music house.
However, late last Friday Kölsch announced that he had pulled out of the show after being “flooded with comments and personal hostile messages” via social media.
“I no longer feel safe performing the stream,” he wrote.
“My intention was never to appear ignorant, offend or hurt anyone, but only to share a moment of beauty and music with all of Cyprus, and the world.
“I have since come to learn that
the venue of St Hilarion, and the history of Cyprus, is very delicate, and I can only wish for a peaceful resolution in the near future.”
A statement issued on Facebook by Cercle, which it later deleted, said: “The purpose of Cercle is to showcase natural and cultural heritage around the world through the prism of our videos and the musical performances of the artists we invite.
“Our shows are meant to unite people and not to divide them or be part of any political conflict.
“This particular announcement did the opposite for some people, so we took the decision . . . not to go forward with the show, as it went against our principles.
“We are saddened and sorry if some people got offended by the choice of this location.”
Environment and Tourism Minister Fikri Ataoğlu said the event, which had been organised to “increase the tourism potential of North Cyprus” had been “blocked by the outdated mindset of the Greek Cypriot side”.
“This disappointment, which is inflicted on our young people, does not lead to anything other than the permanence of the wall which has been built by the Greek Cypriots for years between the two sides in Cyprus,” he said.
The cancellation was welcomed, however, by the Greek Cypriot lobby group the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, which thanked Kölsch and Cercle for “adhering to principles of justice and human rights and not allowing yourselves to be used as puppets by Turkey”.
In response Baroness Hussein-Ece, a British Turkish Cypriot peer, wrote on Twitter: “So keep Turkish Cypriots isolated, unable to access live world music/sports, while refusing any UN peace plan to unify, seems to be only plan for many Greek Cypriot hardliners.”
A group called the Young Turkish Cypriots said that they were “extremely disappointed” that the show was cancelled.
“Not only have you let down thousands of your fans across the world, but you have insulted the entire Turkish Cypriot population,” a statement said.
“By cancelling, you have continued the dehumanisation [of] the Turkish Cypriot people. Turkish Cypriots are continuously shown they are not valued as fellow human beings; we cannot even enjoy concerts within our own country.
“Music is supposed to be non-political, an art that can be enjoyed by everyone . . . It is a shame that you have succumbed to racist internet trolls who have posted nothing but misinformation.
“We . . . hope future artists and events specialists do their research before agreeing to gigs in North Cyprus.
“The cancellation decision is a disgrace to all music-lovers and those that believe in basic human rights.”
Turkish Cypriot rights campaigner Sonya Karafistan tweeted: “I would be embarrassed by a message of thanks from a group responsible for spouting far right hate propaganda.”
She added that Cercle and Kölsch had “caved in” to the “bullying power of the Greek lobby” and had played a part in “continuing cultural embargoes against a people oppressed by injustice for 50 years”.
❐ The stars who shone in North Cyprus . . . and the ones who faded away, pages 12&13
❐ St Hilarion Castle is sad and tearful, page 17