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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.
CTCA Awards Gala 2017: TRNC Ambassador Zehra Basaran talks to Fikret Dervis, a well-known Turkish Cypriot activist since the 1960s and a former chair of CTCA UK. Photo © Olgun Sadik
CTCA Awards Gala 2017: TRNC Ambassador Zehra Basaran talks to Fikret Dervis, a well-known Turkish Cypriot activist since the 1960s and a former chair of CTCA UK. Photo © Olgun Sadik