13th Gazi Mağusa International Festival of Art and Culture 2009
June 26, 2009 by Essential Ed
Filed under Arts & Culture, See & Do
We are a little late in writing this article given the fact it’s already started, but it would be remiss of us not to mention the 13th Gazi Magusa International Festival of Art and Culture!
Every year this event has proved hugely popular for people who enjoy a variety of musical genres and the festival has had great success in obtaining some big names in the world of music to tempt audiences year after year. The fact that the events are held at the historic and mystical ruins of the Salamis amphitheatre, just to the north of Famagusta, also adds to the special atmosphere that this North Cyprus festival manages to generate.
This years festival has seen some equally big names from the world music scene, such as Loreena McKennitt, a Canadian born Celtic music sensation who has had much success with her recently released album ‘A Midwinter Nights Dream’. There have also been some great sets from Turkish pop singer and actress Zühal Olcay whom local Cypriots have flocked to see.
The festival is still in full swing until Friday 3rd July when its conclusion sees a musical performance by the renowned and hugely popular Turkish singer and performer Teoman who will most certainly draw a huge crowd. Other acts to have performed to packed audiences have been the Istanbul based theatre group Cat or Tiyatro Kedi who performed 
their version of Figaro’s Wedding and Spanish dance team Jazzing Flamenco who delighted crowds with their colourful dance displays.
The festival nears its end with a much anticipated fast and furious display of musical genius from the Grammy award winning Gypsy Devils (not to be confused with the Gypsy Kings!) who will be performing a diverse mix of original and classic music from a number of genres including movie soundtracks and cultures such as Russian and Jewish for example. Last but not least is Turkish rock group Mor ve Ötesi (meaning Ultraviolet!) who had a Eurovision 2008 hit ‘Deli’, a very popular band with many locals meaning a great night is in store!
All the performances are held at Salamis Amphitheatre, start at 9pm with tickets available from:
Famagusta Municipality, Public Relations Office, Tel: +90 (0)392 366 0954
Kyrenia Municipality, Public Relations Office, Tel: +90 (0)392 815 2118 (ext:147/149)
Lefkosa – Deniz Plaza, S. Ecvet Yusuf Cad., Tel: +90 (0)392 228 8320
Dates of the festival performances and ticket prices are as follows:
Tuesday 16th June – Loreena McKennitt – 30TL
Thursday 18th June – Tiyatro Kedi “Figaro’nun Düğünü” – 10TL
Monday 22nd June – Zühal Olcay – 20TL
Tuesday 23rd June – Jazzing Flamenco -20TL
Thursday 25th June – Mor ve Ötesi – 20TL
Tuesday 30th June – Gypsy Devils – 10TL
Friday 3rd July – Teoman – 20TL