The Turkish Cypriot Community in Britain celebrated its achievements at the second awards gala held by the Turkish Cypriot Associations (CTCA UK) in Central London.
With 300 people attended the ceremony held at the Royal National Hotel on Saturday 12 October, among those where some of the most successful Turkish Cypriots of this year; Queen’s famous fashion designer Hussein Chalayan, Baroness Meral Hussein-Ece OBE, UK’s largest Turkish Cypriot company JJ Food Service’s CEO Mustafa Kiamil, actor Tamer Hassan.
This biennial event, organized by CTCA UK, aims to recognize, promote and reward the accomplishments of Turkish Cypriots operating in various fields such as arts, business, charity and society. The second is among the important guests attending the premiere this year; TRNC Minister of Economy and Energy Hasan Taçoy, TRNC Ambassador to London Oya Tuncalı, TRNC London Consul General Buket Kop, Deputy Mayor of London Joanne McCartney and a number of Turkish Cypriot and Turkish speaking councillors from London were also present. The greetings and wishes of TRNC Prime Minister Ersin Tatar and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who could not attend the event, were also read overnight.
In her opening speech, CTCA UK President Leyla Kemal talked about the importance of the award ceremony saying: “We are proud to see that Turkish Cypriots living in England are integrated into the life here and at the same time protecting their own culture. They also achieve many successes in different branches. Our aim is to recognize these achievements and share them with our 320,000 people. ”
A total of 32 awards were given in 18 categories at the premiere sponsored by Turkish Bank and Cyprus Paradise. In the first part of the ceremony, the social achievements of individuals and associations were recognized. Aysın Yılmaz, a past president of the Turkish Women’s Philanthropic Association in England and CTCA UK, and Türker Çakıcı, the President of the Hornsey Atatürk Turkish School, received emotions during their lifetime achievement award. In addition, the winners of the poetry competition organized by CTCA UK for the 100th anniversary of May 19 were also included.
In the second part, those who introduced Turkish Cypriot culture, language and Northern Cyprus in the past or present in the UK and those who have achieved professional success in their fields were awarded. Kelami Dedezade, the esteemed educator we lost last year and Necati Sayer, TRNC’s second ambassador in London, were given the Honorary Award. The result of the public vote for the best community activists was announced here, and the awards were presented to Councillor Ilkay İsa and Cemal Ezel, founder of Change Please.
In the final part, individuals and businesses that were exemplary with their outstanding achievements in the UK and /or internationally were included. For the first time this year, a non-Turkish Cypriot was also rewarded for his important contribution to the Turkish Cypriot heritage, Sir Don McCullin won this award with his photographs taken when the Cyprus Conflict broke out, especially with his work selected as the photograph of the year at the World Press Photo Awards in 1964.
The full list of award winners are:
Poetry Award: Centenary of ’19 May’: Sonay Yakup Yakupsoy, Ertuğrul Türkbileği
Best Attendance by a CTCA Chairperson 2019: Yusuf Mehmet
Most Active Cypriot Association (CTCA member) 2019: Dr. Fazıl Küçük Turkish School
Most Active Cypriot Association (Non-CTCA member) 2019: Cyprus Islamic Association
Turkish Cypriot Philanthropist of the Year 2019: Argun İmamzade, Cemal Ezel
Lifetime Achievement Award 2019 (female): Aysın Yılmaz
Lifetime Achievement Award 2019 (male): Türker Çakıcı
Posthumous Award 2019: Kelami Dedezade, Necati Sayer
Best Community Activist 2019 (female): Cllr İlkay İsa
Best Community Activist 2019 (male): Cemal Ezel
CTCA Outstanding Festival Volunteers 2019: Tuğrul Yiğitoglu, Işık Vedat, Hass ‘J Junior’ Redif
Biggest Sponsor of the CTCA Turkish Cypriot Cultural Festival 2018: Cyprus Paradise
Biggest Sponsor of the CTCA Turkish Cypriot Cultural Festival 2019: GİMA & Bodrum
Best Promotion of North Cyprus in Britain 2019: Osman Balıkçıoğlu
Turkish Cypriot Cultural Heritage 2019: Osman Kelebek and Kelebekler
Turkish Cypriot Artist of the Year 2019: MeM Tekari, Tamer Hassan
Turkish Cypriot Sportsperson of the Year 2019: Rhian Brewster
CTCA UK Platinum Supporters 2019: Turkish Bank, Cyprus Paradise
UK Turkish Cypriot Small Business of the Year 2019: Havva
UK Turkish Cypriot Large Business of the Year 2019: JJ Food Service
Important Contribution to Turkish Cypriot Heritage 2019: Sir Don McCullin
Turkish Cypriot Rising Star 2019 (female): Cllr Nesil Çalışkan
Turkish Cypriot Rising Star 2019 (male): Rhian Brewster
Turkish Cypriot Personality of the Year 2019 (female): Baroness Meral Hussein-Ece
Turkish Cypriot Personality of the Year 2019 (male): Hussein Chalayan