NORTH CYPRUS
Iskele Municipality Folk Dance Group

   Our group, which was established in 1987, aims to educate the Turkish Cypriot youth in their own folk history, which is such an inseparable part of our culture, and to introduce the aspect of our culture to other nations.
   At the present our group has over 300 members in three age ranges which are juniors, teenagers and seniors. Under the rigorous training of our chief instructor, Özlem Kadirağa, İskele Municipality Folk Dance Group has represented the North Cyprus in both national and international folk dance festivals and competitions.

TURKISH CYPRIOT FOLK DANCE DANCE OF LIFE

     Folklore  occupies a very important place with the Cypriots, who due to their geographic location, have benefited from a variety of cultures. Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and Turks have all influenced the cultural heritage of this Mediterranean İsland. Often called magical, archeological sites there date back more than 7 000 B.C.
    Folklore is extremely important in the lives of the Cypriots as it provides unity and identity.
   Probably the most special part of folklore, which plays a very important role in the unique lifestyle of Cyprus, is dancing. Our folk dances have reached the present day in a variety of mature forms, after being influenced by various civilizations during the past centuries carrying the characteristic mediterranean rhythms and joy to the dancers feet.
   Cyprus Folk Dances are not only significant because they are liked by the local people but also because they received critical acclaim in other parts of the world. İskele Municipality Folk Dance Group routinely represent our country in international festivals throughout the year.
    Our folk dances reflect all details of island’s lifestyle. The dances that are choreographed with the motifs of typical behaviours and traditional occasions, typically focus on notable events. Undoubtedly the most important among these are weddings. In a wedding  environment, dances such as “ SİRTO” , “ ÇİFTETELLİ” , “KARŞILAMA” , “ZEYBEK” and  others are popular.

   The eagle is the symbolic bird of the island and has always been a part of the lives of Cypriots who appreciate its liberty and adventures called the “KARTAL DANCE”. The dance of the eagle is performed at the beginning of all the Cypriot Festivals.
   The “ARABİYE DANCE” , performed by the females, is reminiscent of the  belly dances performed by womwn from the not too distant orient but it differs.
   Pottery is another of the many traditions of  Cyprus and is an object of decoration whilw also serving utilitarian purposes. One of its main tasks of its people is to carry water is an island nation, where ironically, water is rare  and precious. The “KOZAN DANCE” recalls how the women and  sometimes the men when the load is more than the woman can carry, accomplish their tasts and the vicissitudes that mark the paths toward the springs.
   Besides the dances themselves,the musical instruments used and the costumes are also of interest.
   Folk dancing one way of gaining a deeper understanding of the Turkish  Cypriot lifestyle  both past and present.