İskele Municipality and Topçuköy Beekeepers Host 2nd Honey Festival
The 2nd Topçuköy Honey Festival was recently held in cooperation with İskele Municipality and Topçuköy beekeepers. The festival began with a moment of silence and the reading of the national anthem. Derviş Osum, speaking on behalf of the Topçuköy beekeepers, mentioned that approximately 25% of the country’s honey need is provided from Topçuköy. Hasan Kozok, the President of the Northern Cyprus Beekeepers Association, highlighted the importance of production and emphasized that beekeeping in the country is being carried out at international standards.
Iskele Mayor Hasan Sadıkoğlu expressed his excitement about the festival and stated that the event was designed for people of all ages to enjoy. Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu praised the increase in honey production and quality in the country over the last 15 years and voiced his continual support for local production and producers.
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment, Fikri Ataoğlu, talked about the potential for export as a result of increased production in Topçuköy. Prime Minister Ünal Üstel also emphasized endless support for the country’s honey production and also touched upon the ongoing human tragedy in Palestine.
The festival also saw President of the Assembly of the Republic, Zorlu Töre, discussing the importance of the beekeeping profession in the ecological system. President Ersin Tatar stated that Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is slowly gaining recognition in the world, as well as emphasizing the importance of increasing beekeeping despite unfavorable weather conditions.
The event was rounded off with various activities after the speeches, making for an enjoyable and educational day for all attendees.
