TRNC FOLK DANCE TEAM HAS BEEN BARRED FROM ATTENDING A FESTIVAL IN SPAIN

A folk dance team from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has been barred from attending a festival in the Spanish city of Sevilla by the Greek Cypriot Administration.

The Folklore team from the Gonyeli Municipality – which is currently in Istanbul on its way to Spain – decided to return back to the TRNC after receiving an e-mail from the Sevilla Municipality saying that it will not be greeted at the Airport.

The Gonyeli Municipality Folklore Team was on its way to attend a festival in Spain organized by the International Council of Organisations for Folklore Festival and Folk Art, but the team has decided to return to the Republic after receiving an e-mail from the Sevilla Municipality.

Speaking to the BRT, Huseyin Akyon – deputy-Mayor of Gonyeli explained that the Gonyeli Municipality Folklore Team had become a member of the International Council of Organizations for Folklore Festival and Folk Art two years ago and attended a similar festival in Germany last year.

Noting that the Gonyeli Municipality had received an invitation from Spain to attend the festival in Sevilla in February, he said that the Greek Cypriot Administration had prevented the team’s participation in the festival.

Strongly condemning the Sevilla Municipality’s action, Mr Akyon said the Gonyeli Municipality will file a case against the Sevilla Municipality.