This yr’s extremely anticipated version of Türkiye’s premier know-how and aviation occasion, Teknofest, opened its doorways to guests on Thursday within the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), bringing collectively 1000’s of tech fans, innovators and younger individuals.
The four-day occasion is going down on the outdated Ercan Airport within the capital, Lefkoşa (Nicosia), below the auspices of the TRNC Presidency, with management from the Turkish Technology Team Foundation (T3 Foundation) and Industry and Technology Ministry.
It is being held for the primary time within the TRNC and encompasses a packed schedule of competitions, air exhibits, exhibitions and workshops.
The opening ceremony of the pageant was held with the participation of prime Turkish and TRNC officers, together with Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır, the top of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) Haluk Görgün, TRNC President Ersin Tatar and Teknofest Board Chairperson Selçuk Bayraktar.
Bayraktar, in his speech on the opening, mentioned he was honored to come back along with all guests within the brotherly nation of Turkish Cyprus.
“These ancient lands, despite all difficulties experienced throughout history, have kept hope alive,” he mentioned.
“Brother country, what a meaningful, what a deep expression. We are a big family, rooted in the same traditions, devoted to the same ideals … We are together here today, we are not alone, you are not alone,” he added.
“Today, we are building a new future with science and engineering. We declare once again in the Cyprus spring: a fully independent Türkiye in technology, a fully independent Turkish world,” Bayraktar mentioned.
Addressing the opening, Kacır, for his half, additionally highlighted the brotherly relations between Türkiye and the TRNC, wishing for God’s mercy for the Turkish Cypriot sovereignty and freedom wrestle leaders Fazıl Küçük and founding President Rauf Denktaş.
“The fact that we are holding Teknofest here in Lefkoşa, 51 years after the Cyprus Peace Operation, is a sign of the importance that Türkiye and the Turkish nation give to the Cyprus cause and a sign of the eternal Turkish presence on the island,” the minister mentioned.
The island of Cyprus has been mired in a decadeslong wrestle between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, regardless of a collection of diplomatic efforts by the U.N. to realize a complete settlement. The TRNC is absolutely acknowledged solely by Ankara.
Furthermore, declaring that the world goes by way of “a period of reshaping,” citing that the stability of energy is altering, Kacır emphasised Türkiye’s energy, which he tied not solely to perception, effort and self-confidence but in addition to the “stamp on sky” left by Bayraktar, Hürkuş, Hürjet, Atak, Gökbey, Kaan and Kızılelma. He referred to top-notch plane and fighter jets developed domestically by Türkiye.
“While the world is being rebuilt, history and destiny are calling Türkiye, the Turkish nation. In this new period, we are stronger than ever,” Kacır mentioned.
“Now we have taken a step into the new era. The name of this era is ‘Century of Türkiye.’ The ‘Century of Türkiye’ is the century of the Turkish nation, the Turkish world and the TRNC,” he added.
Tatar, for his half, additionally emphasised the importance of Teknofest being held within the TRNC for the financial and technological welfare of future generations on the island, whereas extending gratitude to Bayraktar for bringing the pageant to Turkish Cyprus. He additionally recalled that the occasion attracted thousands and thousands in earlier editions in Türkiye, underlining that, along with the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, it was now dropped at the TRNC.
Thousands of purposes
Over 47,000 individuals from 22 nations utilized to take part on this yr’s competitions, with 268 groups and 1,083 finalists making it by way of to the ultimate spherical. Of the finalists, 334 are ladies and 749 are males.
The competitions are divided into six most important classes and 13 subcategories, highlighting improvements in aerospace, robotics, software program, and different cutting-edge fields.
As yearly, Teknofest TRNC additionally options quite a few promotional and occasion stands.
There are 116 stands in whole, together with 81 stakeholder stands, 11 sponsor stands, 4 taking part firm/establishment stands, and 20 meals courtroom contributors.
During the pageant, flight demonstrations that includes nationwide and indigenous aerial autos may even be held, with Bayraktar Akıncı, Bayraktar TB2, Hürkuş, Anka, Aksungur, Gendarmerie Steel Wings, Atak helicopters, Turkish Stars, SOLOTURK and plenty of different autos taking to the skies.
Organized by the T3 Foundation and the Ministry of Industry and Technology, Teknofest has been held yearly since 2018, with the assist of quite a few authorities our bodies, non-public sector companions and universities.
While the occasion is historically held in varied Turkish cities in even-numbered years and in Istanbul in odd-numbered years, the TRNC has change into the second worldwide host after Azerbaijan, which welcomed Teknofest in 2022.
In 2024, the occasion within the southern Turkish metropolis of Adana drew some 1.1 million guests.
Source: www.dailysabah.com