People are expected to dress as their favourite film and animation characters at the first-ever TRNC Geek Festival when it takes place between 11am and 10pm today at Girne’s Kings Bowling Centre.
Supported by some 20 sponsors, final preparations for the event were well under way this week with 56 stallholders getting ready to set up displays. Festival goers will be able to take part in fun activities for all ages throughout the day including bowling, arcade games, tournaments and a lottery, while being entertained by live music performances from Acoustic 4 and DJ Bill Dalton. Heroic and villainous characters from Star Wars, World of Warcraft, Marvel and many other film and animation characters are expected to put in an appearance as enthusiasts are said to be preparing their “anime cosplay” – a phrase originating from the practice of blending costume and play in the style of Japanese film and television animation – for the free of charge Comic Con event.
Meanwhile, event organisers Cyprus Geek Team have chosen two charities, the Help Those with Cancer Association (Tulips) and the Golden Paws Association, to benefit from the festival which is designed to raise money and also awareness of the charities as part of a social responsibility project.
Donation of new items or those in original packaging are being requested by Tulips for use as tombola prizes, and items can be delivered to the Tulips stall at today’s Lambousa Market or a drop-off can be arranged by calling 0548 870 2281.
Ali Soytürk, founder of the Cyprus which is organising the event, said: “We are dealing with all the final preparation at full speed. Looking at how many supporters we have we expect some 2,000 people to come and go throughout the day.
“We have been promoting the event through media platforms and have recorded a commercial video in the hope of attracting more people into the world of anime, so we can turn the event into an annual festival similar to those that take place around the world. Buses are being laid on to bring visitors in from the Near East University area and the Metehan border in Lefkoşa.
