Dawn watch at Escape beach

flowerfairy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 1277

Message Posted:
20/07/2010 21:20

What a brilliant night.



The 20th July “Turkish Peace and Freedom Day’’ was being celebrated across the Republic with many different events



However this year, history is set to be made with the first ever such event. A “Dawn Watch” festival was being staged at the very beach where Turkey landed her troops 36 years ago.



The “Dawn Watch Organisation Committee” put out a statement calling on everyone living in the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus to take part in the event.



The organisation is being supported by tens of civil society groups both in the TRNC and abroad. Organisers say the project, however, belongs to all the people and aims to show the world the honourable stance and struggle of the Turkish Cypriot people.



The statement said that “the 20 July 1974 is the symbolic beginning of liberation. It is the day when freedom and peace came to the island for everyone”.



There was music, fireworks and doves set of as a symbol of peace.



So pleased we went.

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
20/07/2010 22:45

Hi,

You say that "The “Dawn Watch Organisation Committee” put out a statement calling on everyone living in the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus to take part in the event."

When was this?

Where was this?

I never saw it!

RoxyBob


Joined: 13/07/2009
Posts: 205

Message Posted:
21/07/2010 06:28

Where do you live Keith?

RoxyBob


Joined: 13/07/2009
Posts: 205

Message Posted:
21/07/2010 06:30

I see you live in Alsancak. Can't believe you didn't hear the firework display from about 4.10 am to 4.40am

bridie


Joined: 18/09/2008
Posts: 308

Message Posted:
21/07/2010 07:01

Telsim sent out invitations on mobile phones, but all in Turkish.

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
21/07/2010 08:25

It will probably be in today's Cyprus Today - like always, letting you know what you would have been able to go to if only you knew about it when it happened!



Always reporting the past - I guess that is what news is all about. Sorry, day started bad and don't look like getting any better so grumble, mumble, curse and spit!!!!!!!!! Hey, its great getting old, at least I have an excuse for being a misserable git.

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
21/07/2010 08:38

RoxyBob,

After living here for 4 years, I sleep through ANYTHING - now do you believe me?

- And if I had, I wouldn't have known what was going on!My question to floweryfairy was about WHEN they put out the statement, WHERE they put out the statement, and the fact that I didn't see the statement.

Fat lot of good advertising it afterwards, or to Telsim customers only, or in Turkish only - although I might have had a stab at translating, if it didn't look too complicated

On second thoughts, I wouldn't! - I get loads of Turkish text messages from KKTCell, and I've got tired of translating the adverts, so I just delete 'em!

flowerfairy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 1277

Message Posted:
21/07/2010 09:56

Sorry, been catching up on the sleep, didn't arrive home until 5.45am!!!!!, not used to it.



Keith, I received my information via email, although I'm sure I read about it somewhere too. It was packed, so someone, somewhere did advertise the event. It was very organised, obviously some bits we didn't understand, due to our limited Turkish language.

Something I would like to add is we went to the drinks stand and asked for two cokes, asked how much.............................guess what................''no charge''.

Well how's about that for hospitallity?

spanna


Joined: 12/01/2009
Posts: 544

Message Posted:
21/07/2010 10:36

We also attended and have to say, it was a fantastic night. We read about it in the Kibris Star - they had a full article providing a run down of the timetable for the night along with an invitation to all - both Cypriots and ex-pats to attend.



I didn't see it anywhere else though! Although, if you were driving through Alsancak at around 11pm, you would have struggled to miss it!!!! ;)



A really wonderful event and, as flower fairy said, we were made to feel so welcome and met some amazing people who were happy to talk to us about their experiences of the landings in 1974 and the time around it. Fascinating.



No one seems to be quite sure why, after 36 years, they suddenly decided to put on such an event? But... it was a credit to the organisers and the people of North Cyprus. Thanks for letting us be a part of it!

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
21/07/2010 11:01

invitation confined to Kibris Star readers then

Well, I'm glad you had a good night, and I'm sorry that I missed it!

Does anyone have any information on how to contact the 'Dawn Watch Committee' who organised this? - I have 'Googled' it with no success.

I am willing to offer suggestions on how to contact a larger percentage of the population 'next time' and to ask if I can assist in any way...