Turkish Cypriot leader backs singer after criticism of Varosha music video

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NICOSIA-Anadolu Agency

The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has expressed his support for a Turkish Cypriot singer who has come under fire for a music video shot in the coastal town of Maraş, also known as Varosha.

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Ersin Tatar said in a statement that he met Nihayet Elibol online, who was targeted by Greek Cypriots after releasing a sample of her song, Bulaman, in the abandoned town known as a ghost town – cut off from the world for 47 years.

Part of the region – around 3.5% of the total area – was reopened in October 2020, with people welcomed daily to visit between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Maraş was abandoned after a 1984 UN Security Council resolution which stipulated that only original residents could resettle in the city.

Entry was prohibited except for Turkish army personnel stationed in the TRNC.

Tatar congratulated the 32-year-old singer known by her stage name, Nini, and her team for the music video in Maraş.

He said the inhumane attitudes towards Elibol, which was the subject of threats and insults from the Greek Cypriots, were the product of a fanatic mentality.

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Noting that his song had no political concerns, Tatar said there was no logical basis for the attacks as the place was Maraş.

He said the mentality, which cannot tolerate even a song, is the greatest threat to peace in the region and the world, while stressing that art is a universal language of global humanity.

“Tolerance for art and for differences is one of the most important phenomena of civilized life,” he said.

Tatar also said that as a Turkish Cypriot leader, he and the Turkish Cypriots stood by the singer.

Elibol thanked Tatar for his support and noted that his song had been taken off the air due to complaints from Greek Cypriots. She said the attacks were unacceptable.

The music video was shot during the summer but was released on November 16 on YouTube.

In the video, young people are seen dancing and singing on the beaches of the long-abandoned town.

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