Turkish Cypriots have been in Britain for over one hundred years. At about three hundred thousand, the community is some way off from the UK’s larger ethnic groups, yet its colourful contribution to British society cannot be doubted.
The Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations in Britain’s (CTCA UK, or Konsey for short in Turkish) held its inaugural awards night back in October 2017, presenting the perfect showcase for the community’s diverse talent that cuts across voluntary work, sport, business, and culture.
Well-known personalities such as BBC Dragon Touker Suleyman, top London chef Selin Kiazim, actor Arman Mantella and TV personality Kem Cetinay rubbed shoulders with community stalwarts Akile Işın (former TWPA chair and first female board member of the CTCA), Kemal Soyer (long-running head of the Turkish Community Football Federation), Arife Retvan (Limasollular Association), Türker Çakıcı (founder of Hornsey Ataturk Turkish School), and Erkin Guney (chair of Shacklewell Lane Mosque – the UK’s first Turkish-owned mosque).
On Saturday 12th October, CTCA’s bi-annual awards return for a second outing at the Royal National Hotel in Central London. Alongside celebrating the community’s inspirational and high-achieving members, the black-tie do will also include a three-course dinner, wine and soft drinks, and live music and entertainment.
Price per person is £65 (early bird tickets are £60), with a maximum of 12 persons per table. Entry includes. All proceeds from the night will go towards future projects of CTCA UK, helping to turn this voluntary-managed non-profit organisation into one with full-time staff and property assets to better serve the community.
CTCA will be circulating details of the night’s entertainment, which is expected to include a mixture of British and Turkish pop and dance favourites. Visit their Facebook page to keep abreast of news about what is likely to be a special night.
Event details
Event: 2nd CTCA Awards and Gala Dinner
Date: Saturday 12 October 2019
Time: Starts 7pm, runs until midnight
Venue: Royal National Hotel, 38-51 Bedford Way, Bloomsbury, London WC1H 0DG
Admission info: Prices are £60 per person for Early Bird (runs until 15 Sept), £65 afterwards. Each ticket admits one, and includes 3-course dinner, soft drinks and wine (two bottles per table of up 12 persons), awards ceremony and entertainment.
Concessions are available for table bookings (10-12 people per table). Contact CTCA direct for details.
Do let the organisers know at time of booking if you or your guests have any dietary requirements.
Tickets: Buy online from Eventbrite or from the CTCA: email info@ctcauk.com or call 07496 267 033 / 07949 785 037 / 07950 576 708 to reserve and arrange collection of tickets in person.
Main picture, top of the CTCA Awards Gala at the Imperial Hotel, Russell Square, London, 01 October 2017 (L-R): Leyla Kemal, Selin Kiazim, Touker Suleyman, Sir David Amess, Kem Cetinay, Acelya Toprak, Arman Mantella, & Isik Vedat. Photo © Roxanne Grant
