“The heritage of historical accumulation in our country is not adequately protected”
President Ersin Tatar’s spouse First Lady Sibel Tatar attended the “Sustainable Cultural Heritage Panel in TRNC” organised by World Peace University, Continuing Education and Research, Tourism Research, Development and Applications Center hosted by Yunus Emre Institute (YEE) within the scope of Tourism Week events.
In her speech at the panel held at Lefkoşa Yunus Emre Institute, First Lady Tatar stated that cultural heritage is a richness that shows the common past of people in the same society, reveals their historical accumulation, and is meaningful not only for the society and future generations in which it is located, but also for all humanity.
Pointing to the richness of Cyprus history and culture, Mrs. Tatar drew attention that the protection of the cultural heritage is not sufficient in our country.
“Our cultural values are great wealth ," she said and added that this cultural heritage must be utilised more sufficiently in terms of tourism.
First Lady Sibel Tatar continued as follows:
“If we care about our cultural heritage, we must first work to protect and reveal it. Many examples of our cultural heritage are idle on our island and have not been taken care of… Therefore, our cultural heritage suffers a lot of damage both ecologically and naturally. It is also in unprotected conditions.”
First Lady stated that she admires the countries that act with the right approach and she expressed hope that this approach be shared in our country as well.
Stating that she has always been aware of the richness of cultural heritage in Cyprus, which hosted many civilizations, Mrs. Tatar emphasized that she is putting efforts under the auspices of the Presidency in order to protect, discover and revitalize the cultural heritage. She added that as the Presidency, they have implemented some projects to protect culture, raise awareness, and at the same time use some cultural values that are covered up or unused.
Mentioning that they carried out projects under the Presidency with experts and experienced people in their fields, Mrs. Tatar referred to the Rebirth of Silk Project in Northern Cyprus and the Kozada brand under the auspices of the Presidency and under the leadership of herself.
Adding that they are continuing to work on a book on Cyprus doors and chests, Mrs. Tatar further said that they will launch the book prepared on this subject in the spring.
Noting that they will start producing felt products under the "Keçada" brand, First Lady Tatar also said that they will launch the products prepared with discarded sheep and goat wool in the coming days.
Stating that Cyprus has a very rich cuisine, which is also not well evaluated, she explained the activities they are carrying out in this regard.
Stating that they will launch a cookbook with dishes from the Lusignan cuisine, with three important names who are experts in their field, in May, Mrs. Tatar stated that the book containing over 140 recipes will be a quality detailed archive work.
Adding that the world's smallest dwarf elephants and pygmy hippos lived on the island, First Lady touched upon the work they put forth with the experts they invited from MTA two years ago. Mrs. Tatar said the fossils found in Girne Castle could not be determined until then, and as a result of the studies, three quarters of them have been determined to be hippo fossils.
"Currently, these fossils are being cleaned, and in a short time, the fossils of pygmy hippos will be shared with the public, our children and tourists,” she added.
In her speech at the panel held at Lefkoşa Yunus Emre Institute, First Lady Tatar stated that cultural heritage is a richness that shows the common past of people in the same society, reveals their historical accumulation, and is meaningful not only for the society and future generations in which it is located, but also for all humanity.
Pointing to the richness of Cyprus history and culture, Mrs. Tatar drew attention that the protection of the cultural heritage is not sufficient in our country.
“Our cultural values are great wealth ," she said and added that this cultural heritage must be utilised more sufficiently in terms of tourism.
First Lady Sibel Tatar continued as follows:
“If we care about our cultural heritage, we must first work to protect and reveal it. Many examples of our cultural heritage are idle on our island and have not been taken care of… Therefore, our cultural heritage suffers a lot of damage both ecologically and naturally. It is also in unprotected conditions.”
First Lady stated that she admires the countries that act with the right approach and she expressed hope that this approach be shared in our country as well.
Stating that she has always been aware of the richness of cultural heritage in Cyprus, which hosted many civilizations, Mrs. Tatar emphasized that she is putting efforts under the auspices of the Presidency in order to protect, discover and revitalize the cultural heritage. She added that as the Presidency, they have implemented some projects to protect culture, raise awareness, and at the same time use some cultural values that are covered up or unused.
Mentioning that they carried out projects under the Presidency with experts and experienced people in their fields, Mrs. Tatar referred to the Rebirth of Silk Project in Northern Cyprus and the Kozada brand under the auspices of the Presidency and under the leadership of herself.
Adding that they are continuing to work on a book on Cyprus doors and chests, Mrs. Tatar further said that they will launch the book prepared on this subject in the spring.
Noting that they will start producing felt products under the "Keçada" brand, First Lady Tatar also said that they will launch the products prepared with discarded sheep and goat wool in the coming days.
Stating that Cyprus has a very rich cuisine, which is also not well evaluated, she explained the activities they are carrying out in this regard.
Stating that they will launch a cookbook with dishes from the Lusignan cuisine, with three important names who are experts in their field, in May, Mrs. Tatar stated that the book containing over 140 recipes will be a quality detailed archive work.
Adding that the world's smallest dwarf elephants and pygmy hippos lived on the island, First Lady touched upon the work they put forth with the experts they invited from MTA two years ago. Mrs. Tatar said the fossils found in Girne Castle could not be determined until then, and as a result of the studies, three quarters of them have been determined to be hippo fossils.
"Currently, these fossils are being cleaned, and in a short time, the fossils of pygmy hippos will be shared with the public, our children and tourists,” she added.