**Title: ELAM Calls for Cancellation of Zamna Festival and Barcelona Academy Camp in Occupied Nicosia**
**Nicosia, Cyprus** – The far-right political party ELAM has issued a statement calling for the cancellation of the upcoming Zamna music festival and a training camp organized by a Barcelona football academy, both scheduled to take place in the Turkish-occupied areas of Nicosia. The Zamna festival is set for October 10, 2026, while the football camp's specific dates have not been disclosed.
In their statement, ELAM expressed strong disapproval of holding international events in the occupied territories, labeling the organization of such activities by a prominent European football academy as “unthinkable.” The party's leadership has urged the Spanish government to intervene and prevent the training camp from occurring, emphasizing their belief that these events undermine the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus.
ELAM also called upon the Cyprus Foreign Ministry to take necessary actions to halt both events, reiterating their stance against what they perceive as a violation of Cyprus's territorial integrity. The party pointed to the recent cancellation of the Nexus festival, claiming that their advocacy played a role in that decision.
The Zamna festival and the Barcelona academy camp are part of a broader trend of international events being hosted in the occupied areas, which has sparked controversy and debate within Cyprus. ELAM's call to action reflects ongoing tensions surrounding the political status of Northern Cyprus, which has been under Turkish control since 1974.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the relevant authorities, both in Cyprus and Spain, will respond to ELAM's demands. The implications of these events extend beyond cultural and sporting activities, touching on issues of national identity and international relations in the region.
This call from ELAM highlights the complexities of hosting international events in contested territories and the differing perspectives on cultural and sporting exchanges in Cyprus.