Girne Bandabuliya Comes to Life Again

A collaboration agreement was signed for the ‘Girne Bandabuliya Gastronomy House’ project, which will be carried out in partnership with the Entrepreneurial Women’s Development Cooperative Ltd. and the Labouring Women’s Cooperative Ltd. under the leadership of Girne Municipality.

The signing ceremony, which took place in front of Girne Bandabuliya on Thursday, March 14th, at 10:00, was attended by Girne Mayor Murat Şenkul, President of the Entrepreneurial Women’s Development Cooperative Ltd. İçim Çağıner, President of the Labouring Women’s Cooperative Ltd. Emel Kale Kişi, as well as the Project Coordinator of the ‘Girne Bandabuliya Gastronomy House’ Niyal Öztürk, Girne Municipal Council Members Mete Ünal Girgen, Hakan Onurlu, Ali Tektan, Ziya Egemen Sencer, Haşim Yücel, Girne Municipal Director Hüseyin Köle, Deputy Directors Naile Soyel, and Ahmet Türker. Members of both cooperatives and press members also attended the ceremony.

Girne Bandabuliya Comes to Life Again (3)

Girne Bandabuliya Comes to Life Again (1)

Aiming To Be At The Heart of Kyrenia

In the project, where infrastructure works are undertaken by Girne Municipality, all equipment and operating methods are undertaken by the Entrepreneurial Women’s Development Cooperative Ltd. and the Labouring Women’s Cooperative Ltd. The ‘Girne Bandabuliya Gastronomy House’ project includes topics such as setting up a gastronomy kitchen, creating a durable product sales area, meal and event areas, and creating an attraction centre.

Emel Kale Kişi

Starting her words by stating that the press conference was a milestone for them, Emel Kale Kişi, President of the Laboring Women’s Cooperative Ltd., recalled that the development of the ‘Girne Bandabuliya Gastronomy House’ project dates back a year. Kişi stated that they reached an agreement with Kyrenia Mayor, Murat Şenkul, to hand over Bandabuliya to women’s cooperatives upon his taking office, with work starting rapidly. Pointing out that women were involved in every aspect of the one-year preparation process, Kişi noted that the project was carried out entirely on a voluntary basis, and now it has reached the construction phase. Kişi added that with the implementation of the project, Girne would gain in many respects, including that the project would bring significant benefits both in terms of tourism and social life.

İçim Çağıner

Noting that the Entrepreneurial Women’s Development Cooperative Ltd., established three years ago, has aimed to restore Bandabuliya with women’s labour and for women to operate it, President İçim Çağıner reminded that they were able to achieve this goal with the election of Girne Mayor Murat Şenkul. Adding that as the Entrepreneurial Women’s Development Cooperative, they operate with 150 women from east to west of Cyprus, Çağıner stated that they walk the path of women’s development for the country’s development. Continuing her speech by reminding that she herself grew up in Girne, Çağıner emphasized that Bandabuliya has always been a historical place where people gather and socialize with each other. Expressing their happiness at the revival of this historical building, which has been closed for many years, Çağıner pointed out its importance for the country’s economy and tourism. Çağıner added that Cyprus has a rich gastronomy and reiterated their belief that the project would also fill a significant gap by introducing national flavors to tourists. Çağıner concluded her words by reminding that everyone’s support is needed for the realization of the project and called on those who want to contribute to reach out to them.

Şenkul: The Ancient Habour Regains Its Old Face

Commenting that Bandabuliya has a long history and that it is their duty to revive this history, Girne Mayor Murat Şenkul emphasized that the journey undertaken in this regard is a very important one. Şenkul, who mentioned a few main headings that excite him about Girne, emphasized that one of them is Bandabuliya. Şenkul stated that the restoration and infrastructure works of the back streets of the Ancient Harbour are about to be completed, the renovation works of the Kordonboyu have also started, and with the revival of Bandabuliya, the harbour will regain its old face. Saying “It is time to regain the values we miss,” Şenkul indicated that this is the main priority for him and all participants. Finally, Şenkul called for everyone’s support for the project.