Yunus Emre Institute and the Archers Foundation joined forces to commemorate the anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation and to convey the spirit of national unity and solidarity of the Turkish nation to young generations by organizing the "3rd International Peace and Freedom Archery Cup" between July 17-19, 2023. 

The traditional archery tournament event in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was held at the Kyrenia Castle.

TRNC President Ersin Tatar, TRNC Parliament Speaker Zorlu Töre, Yunus Emre Institute Vice President Assoc. Prof. Abdullah Kutalmış Yalçın, Archers Foundation President and Beyoğlu Mayor Haydar Ali Yıldız attended the event organized in celebration of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' Peace and Freedom Day.

42 ATHLETES FROM 15 COUNTRIES COMPETED IN THE TOURNAMENT

The tournament was attended by 42 athletes from 15 countries including Türkiye, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Iran, Brunei, Argentina, South Africa, Georgia, Moldova, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Gagauzia and Nigeria.

The first event in the tournament started with a flag march from the front of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Nicosia to Sarayönü Square, where the participants carried giant flags accompanied by the mehteran band.

On the second day of the tournament, which continued at the Kyrenia Castle, after the final shots of athletes from all over the world, a ceremony was held where the TRNC President Ersin Tatar presented the winners with their trophies.

Among the athletes who competed fiercely in the cup, Işık Tez came first in the children's category, Birsen Bilginoğlu in women's traditional bow category and Mihail Adeshcende in men's traditional bow category.

In his speech, President Ersin Tatar responded to the sports embargo imposed on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and thanked Yunus Emre Institute and Archers Foundation for organizing this competition in TRNC.

Yunus Emre Institute Vice President Assoc. Prof. Abdullah Kutalmış Yalçın stated that they are proud to be with the youth of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and noted, "It gives us great pleasure to be a part of such a meaningful organization and to carry out this program in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus."

Archers Foundation President Haydar Ali Yıldız underscored the increase in international participation in the organization and stated, "Some people want a Cyprus without Turks and a Mediterranean without Türkiye. Here we are with our message, Turks will always be a part of Cyprus."

The award ceremony ended with a flag march accompanied by the mehteran band at Kyrenia Castle.

GREAT INTEREST IN THE CUP

At the concert held at Kyrenia Atatürk Monument on the last day of the tournament, Arslanbek Sultanbekov performed a rich repertoire of unique pieces of Turkish music.

The "3^rd International Peace and Freedom Archery Cup" events, which started with a flag march in Nicosia and continued on to Kyrenia, attracted great interest, as it does every year.