**Pressure to Cancel Kyrenia Festival ‘Lays Foundation for Division of Island’**
The cancellation of the Nexus electronic music festival, which was scheduled to take place at Kyrenia Castle next month, has sparked a significant political controversy in Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot Kyrenia Mayor Murat Senkul expressed his dismay over the decision, attributing it to political pressure from the southern part of the island, specifically from Greek Cypriot leaders. He warned that such actions contribute to the ongoing division of Cyprus.
On Friday, Senkul confirmed that he had received official notification from EXIT, a Serbian music company, regarding the cancellation of the festival. He stated that the decision was influenced by outreach from Loukas Fourlas, a member of the European Parliament representing the Democratic Rally (DISY) party, who contacted Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Fourlas emphasized that the cancellation was made with an understanding of the "deep historical and emotional significance" that Kyrenia and its castle hold for the Greek Cypriot community.
In his remarks, Senkul lamented the impact of this decision on local entrepreneurs and the youth of Kyrenia, who were eagerly anticipating the festival. He stated, “We are, of course, very saddened by the unhappiness of our entrepreneurs, who put in great effort to organise this, and our young people, who were excited to participate.” He reassured the youth that there is no reason for them to be disheartened, promising that the municipality would work towards organizing an even more prominent event next year.
Senkul, a member of the pro-federal Cyprus solution party the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), is set to stand for re-election as the Turkish Cypriot mayor on December 6. He has garnered support from other pro-federal solution parties, including the Social Democratic Party (TDP) and the Tam Party, led by Serdar Denktash. His political stance emphasizes the need for unity and integration, particularly in cultural and artistic endeavors, which he believes are essential for bridging the divide between the two communities on the island.
The mayor criticized the Greek Cypriot leadership for what he perceives as an ongoing effort to isolate Turkish Cypriots from the global community, stating, “This is not the first time for us. We are facing a Greek Cypriot leadership and state which is unaware that it is constantly laying the foundation for division on the island by trying to prevent Turkish Cypriots from integrating with the world.” He asserted that despite the challenges faced by the Turkish Cypriot community, they would not be deterred, declaring, “No one can make us bow our heads.”
The cancellation of the Nexus festival has reignited discussions about the cultural and historical significance of Kyrenia Castle, a site that has been a focal point for both communities. Akis Violaris, the Greek Cypriot mayor-in-exile of Kyrenia, previously described the castle as “a monument of historical and cultural heritage of our country,” highlighting the complexities surrounding the site and its importance to the Greek Cypriot narrative.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the events surrounding the Nexus festival illustrate the delicate balance of cultural expression and political influence in Cyprus. The decision by EXIT to cancel the festival has not only disappointed local stakeholders but has also raised questions about the future of cultural events that aim to bridge the divide between the island's communities.
Moving forward, the Turkish Cypriot leadership, including Senkul, is determined to promote a vision of unity and collaboration, particularly in the realms of art and culture. The commitment to organizing a more significant event next year reflects an aspiration to foster connections and celebrate diversity, even in the face of political challenges.
As the December elections approach, the implications of this incident may resonate beyond the immediate disappointment of a canceled festival, potentially influencing the dialogue around cultural integration and the ongoing quest for a peaceful resolution to the division of Cyprus.