Art Knows No Obstacles

7 December, 2014

A magical performance by a disabled dancer launched the North Cyprus Turkcell gala night of the Art Knows No Obstacles competition in Lefkoșa last Wednesday.

Derviș Tokmak was joined on the Atatürk Cultural Centre stage by Turkcell’s Dance Club and Ministry of Dance crew to win a standing ovation from a packed house.

The Turkish dancer, who is based in Germany, said he was overjoyed to attend such a special project in North Cyprus.

Winners of a photography and short film competition were announced at the event.

Arif Ișgüzar scooped top prize for the photography with runners-up Tevfik Ulual and Süleyman Kaplan.

Soner Sert won first and third prize for his short films Father and Voice and the second prize went to Berk Koç for his film Point of View.

Special Jury Awards were presented to photographers Cüneyt Bayram, Doǧay Erçaǧ and Oytun Yunak and to Ömer Cumhur Bulduk for his film As Long as You Want. Labour and Social Security Minister Aziz Gürpinar thanked North Cyprus Turkcell for its awareness-raising projects and promised new employment laws for the disabled.

Mr Gürpinar added that a Disabled Life House would also be established.

By Yasemin Gülpinar for Cyprus Today

About Salahi Misal 551 Articles

Was born and raised in London and first came to North Cyprus as a child where he lived for two and a half years. The Island left a long lasting impression on him, for after travelling the world and experiencing many different cultures and ways of life, Cyprus was always there. Sal, as his friends call him, has always had a passion for Art & Design and studied the subject for over ten years and resulted in him specializing in the design and production of contemporary furniture. He has worked in this field for twenty years now. After not having visited the Island for fifteen years he followed his heart back to North Cyprus, where he’s lived for the last four years. Now Sal works on a creative basis for NC Magazine.