Turkish Cypriot festival starts in London

By Inci Gundag

LONDON (AA) - A festival showcasing the best of Northern Cyprus was launched Friday in London amid colorful scenes.

Organized by the two ministries of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), the festival aims to promote the country internationally.

Tourism and Environment Minister Fikri Ataoglu, Economy and Energy Minister Sunat Atun and the TRNC’s London representative ambassador Zehra Basaran opened the festival.

Ataoglu said the Turkish Cypriot community living in London had lost contact with the island and they had started an initiative to attract third- and fourth-generation Cypriots back to their roots.

Atun said that they were trying to open markets for themselves in foreign countries.

Services and products offered by Northern Cypriot companies were on display along with samples of Turkish Cypriot cuisine.

The festival -- held at Islington Business Design Centre in north London -- will end Saturday.