By Ismail Veli……..
Citymall Photo Competition with a Cause
By Ahmet Abdulaziz…….
In connection with the World Labour day, the CITYMALL is organising a photo contest on 8th March 2018. The selected photographs will be exhibited from 1st March until 11th March at Citymall, and sold. The sale proceeds will be donated to the Women’s Shelter House of Lefkoşa Turkish Municipality..
Read More →
Vox Pop on BRT Television 16/07/17 with Richard Chamberlain
By Engin Dervişağa…….
For this week’s Vox Pop programme, I went with my BRT2 TV recording crew to the I Belli Restaurant in Karakum, Girne to meet with 
Richard Chamberlain who was holding an exhibition there of photographs which he had taken during his national service army days in Cyprus in 1954/55.
There are many photographs of Famagusta, where Richard was stationed, and the surrounding areas and also Kyrenia and other areas of Cyprus taken when Richard and his brother had some time to tour around the island. It was a wonderful collection showing everyday life in Cyprus way back in 1954/55.
My interview with Richard will be screened on Sunday 16th July at 15.00pm and it will be repeated on Tuesday 18th July at 18.30pm so do tune in to join me on my show, Vox Pop on BRT2 Television.
To go direct to BRT2 TV to watch these shows by live streaming on your PC at Cyprus local time click here and select the BRT2 channel in the viewing screen.
If you wish you can also watch a number of my past Vox Pop shows which can be selected for viewing by clicking here
For Radio Lovers do also tune in and join me on BRT Radio on Saturday at 19.00pm for my programme Top Twenty which is compiled by DJ Bora and this show is repeated on Sunday at 15.00pm. We are transmitting this on 6.150 MH/z. Short-wave, 87.8 and 105 FM Stereo.
You can also tune in to live streaming of this radio show on your PC by clicking here and select FM105 Bayrak International.
For those local readers who have interesting hobbies or interests who think it could make an interesting subject for my Vox Pop TV show, do please send me a message.
Vox Pop on BRT Television 11/06/17 with Richard Chamberlain
By Engin Dervişağa…….
For this week’s Vox Pop programme, I went with my BRT2 TV recording crew to the I Belli Restaurant in Karakum, Girne to meet with Richard Chamberlain who was holding an exhibition there of photographs which he had taken during his national service army days in Cyprus in 1954/55.
There are many photographs of Famagusta, where Richard was stationed, and the surrounding areas and also Kyrenia and other areas of Cyprus taken when Richard and his brother had some time to tour around the island. It was a wonderful collection showing everyday life in Cyprus way back in 1954/55.
My interview with Richard will be screened on Sunday 11th June at 15.00pm and it will be repeated on Tuesday 13th June at 18.30pm so do tune in to join me on my show, Vox Pop on BRT2 Television.
To go direct to BRT2 TV to watch these shows by live streaming on your PC at Cyprus local time click here and select the BRT2 channel in the viewing screen.
If you wish you can also watch a number of my past Vox Pop shows which can be selected for viewing by clicking here
For Radio Lovers do also tune in and join me on BRT Radio on Saturday at 19.00pm for my programme Top Twenty which is compiled by DJ Bora and this show is repeated on Sunday at 15.00pm. We are transmitting this on 6.150 MH/z. Short-wave, 87.8 and 105 FM Stereo.
You can also tune in to live streaming of this radio show on your PC by clicking here and select FM105 Bayrak International.
For those local readers who have interesting hobbies or interests who think it could make an interesting subject for my Vox Pop TV show, do please send me a message.
Richard Chamberlain – Cyprus Scenes and Way of Life in 1954
By Richard Chamberlain …
I was only 18 years old when I arrived in Cyprus on 28th May 1954 and landed at the old Nicosia International Airport. There were about 100 soldiers on the old propeller aircraft. On the way to Cyprus we had to land at Valletta in Malta to refuel. 
The planes in those days could not make it to Cyprus without refuelling on the way. All the soldiers had to take their boots off before getting on the plane so as not to damage the carpet with their hobnail boots. We had to sit with our boots on our lap!
When we arrived at Nicosia Airport, there were army lorries to take us to Ayios Nicholias (4 mile point) just outside Famagusta. I was a wireless operator in the Royal Signals Regiment and was billeted with all the other wireless operators.
As soon as I arrived, the Sergeant in Charge told me to get ready to march in the Queen’s Birthday Parade which was in about a week’s time. In the next few days I was marching up and down the parade square with the other soldiers. After about 3 days, the Sergeant in Charge told me I had not had enough practice at marching like the 
other troops so I could have the day off. I was pleased because I could go down to Famagusta Town (near Maraş) to photograph the Queen’s Birthday Parade with the camera I had taken with me
After the parade I went round the old town photographing almost everything I could see. It was all so different to me being in this lovely country away from the small town where I lived in 
England. I could not believe my luck being sent to this magical island! After that day in June 1954 every time I went anywhere I took my little film camera with me to capture as much of the way of life of this beautiful island and the Cypriot people as I could.
The army had a photographic “dark room” in the town of Famagusta so in the evening I used to go and develop the film I had taken to see what the photos I had taken during the day were like. Then I used to print them. Readers of this have to realise that there were no digital cameras then, only film cameras.
I took many photos but the one I am most pleased with is the one taken on the old Famagusta city wall of an old cannon and the historic city of Famagusta. I used this photo for the cover of my book of photos of Cyprus which I have published.
When I returned to England after my 2 years army service had been completed, I put the photos and negatives away because I didn’t think they were of much interest at that time. 
More recently, as Cyprus is more in the news, I have put all the photos together and published them in a book entitled “Cyprus Scenes and Way of Life in 1954”. It has proved to be very popular now that the photos are like modern history and show how things used to be in Cyprus 63 years ago. I have sold and given away about 1,000 books up until now and have just had another 1,000 books printed. They are available in black/white at 40TL and colour at 70TL and can be purchased from The Round Tower, Best Seller Bookshops in Karakum and Alsancak, or by telephoning me on 0533 859 7663.
When I returned to England I resumed as an apprentice in the printing industry for another 3 years. I also continued with my love of photography. I have re-visited Cyprus many times, still taking photographs of this lovely island. Finally, I have moved to live here.
I have now tried to visit all the places I photographed in 1954/55 and taken the photos again showing the differences, if there are any. I have now published another book with some of the 63 year old photos alongside the photos taken more recently. 
Sometimes there is a big difference and sometimes there is hardly any change at all. This book is also available from The Round Tower, Best Seller Bookshops and by telephoning me.
I am now 82 years old and love living in Cyprus. I don’t want to live anywhere else. I still have my lovely old camera with which I took all the black and white photographs of Cyprus and now of course modern digital cameras.
When I pass on, I will request that my old camera, plus film, be buried with me in case there is anything to photograph in the next world!!
Vox Pop on BRT Television 15/01/2017 with Richard Chamberlain, Photographer
By Engin Dervişağa…….
It seems many of my past shows were very popular and due to great demand we are repeating this coming week the Vox Pop show when I went with my camera crew to meet with an old friend of Vox Pop, Richard Chamberlain who has recently moved from the UK and settled now in Ozankoy.
Many of our readers will remember 
Richard who served with the British Army in the Famagusta area from 1954 to 1955 and embarked on a hobby of photography which eventually led him to have a book of his Cyprus photographs published.
Coming back to Cyprus many times he then decided to take comparison photographs and have another book published of pictures of then and now.
Richard talked to us about his past work and plans for the future to preserve his memories of Cyprus past.
My interview with Richard will be screened on Sunday 15th January at 15.00pm and it will be repeated on Tuesday 17th January at 18.30pm so do tune in to join me on my show, Vox Pop on BRT2 Television.
To go direct to BRT2 TV to watch these shows by live streaming on your PC at Cyprus local time click here and select the BRT2 channel in the viewing screen.
If you wish you can also watch a number of my past Vox Pop shows which can be selected for viewing by clicking here
For Radio Lovers do also tune in and join me on BRT Radio on Saturday at 19.00pm for my programme Top Twenty which is compiled by DJ Bora and this show is repeated on Sunday at 15.00pm. We are transmitting this on 6.150 MH/z. Short-wave, 87.8 and 105 FM Stereo.
You can also tune in to live streaming of this radio show on your PC by clicking here and select FM105 Bayrak International.
For those local readers who have interesting hobbies or interests who think it could make an interesting subject for my Vox Pop TV show, do please send me a message.
Jay Wadams Photography Exhibition at Gardens of Irini, Bellapais
By Margaret Sheard…..
It was a long climb up through Bellapais but well worth the effort and I arrived at the Gardens of Irini a little breathless but pleased to be able to meet up with Jay Wadams and his partner Max and see Jay’s wonderful photography which was on display as an exhibition of his work.
The exhibition opened on Thursday 26th May and ran until Sunday 29th May. Jay said it had been very successful and there had been many people who had come to see his work, which is a result of his talent and the experience gained during his many travels.
It was lovely sitting in the garden which is very tranquil and be able to admire Jay’s work in a very leisurely manner and catch up with what he has been doing since his last exhibition.
Last year Jay had mentioned that he was working on an illustrated cookery book which will include many of his favourite recipes. He said he is still working on it and the book should be completed for publication in 2017.
One of the reasons for the delay in completing the 
cookery book is that Jay has been assisting Deidre Guthrie with the formatting and publication of a book which was written by her father John Guthrie which is an account of the family’s life in North Cyprus. The book which is entitled A Bell in Bellapais will be printed in Germany and will be available in North Cyprus in July. From what we could gather I would think this will be a very appealing read, especially for those who know the area well. Jay designed the cover for the book which looks very attractive.
What with photography, cooking, writing etc. Jay and Max live a very busy life, their home base is in Munich, and besides their trips to North Cyprus, which they both love, Jay likes also to return to his homeland – New Zealand at least once a year.
It was nice to catch up with Jay again and we wish him well with his future photography and hope to see the results at a future exhibition here in North Cyprus.
The Main Event on BRT Radio 28/05/2016 with photographer, Jay Wadams
By Denise Phillips…..
My visitor this week to The Main Event radio studio at Bayrak International is photographer, Jay Wadams.
Jay studied photography at University in Auckland, New Zealand and later worked for an Australian newspaper in Sydney. There is passion in Jay’s photography which is not just a photograph, some of his work is processed onto aluminium and acrylic and this gives a beautiful texture both visually and to the touch and all of his work captures light and atmosphere.
Jay spends his time between Munich in Bavaria and North Cyprus and the good news for lovers of the art of photography is that he will be holding a second exhibition at the Gardens of Irini in Bellapais which will have its opening at 5pm on Thursday 26th May and continue for the general public through to Sunday 29th May where he will be showing a combination of his recent travel images and also some studio work he has recently been undertaking as you can see below.
Do join Jay and I to hear more about his passion for photography and also listen to some of his favourite music and songs on the Main Event on Saturday 28th May at 15.00pm and you can reach this show wherever you are online by following the links below.
This show will also be repeated on Sunday 29th May at 11.00am to 12.00 noon.
Happy listening and do have a great week
To go direct to Bayrak International Live to listen to these shows by live streaming on your PC at Cyprus local time by clicking here
For you Radio lovers :
Do tune into Bayrak International Live where you can join Denise Phillips on her great radio shows that bring you music and thoughts and comments of the day,
We are transmitting these shows on 6.150 MH/z. Short-wave, 87.8 and 105 FM Stereo and these great shows full of entertainment as follows :
The Main Event: A very interesting show with visitors calling into the studio to talk about themselves and their interests and of course their favourite songs or tunes which you can hear.
Radio Angel: A bubbly show giving listeners a lighthearted look at life.
Monday 9.00 to 11.00 Radio Angel Morning Show with Denise Phillips
Tuesday 9.00 to 11.00 Radio Angel Morning Show with Denise Phillips
Wednesday 9.00 to 11.00 Radio Angel Morning Show with Denise Phillips
Thursday 9.00 to 11.00 Radio Angel Morning Show with Denise Phillips
Friday ; 9.00 to 11.00 Radio Angel Morning Show with Denise Phillips
Saturday : 10.00 to 11.00 Radio Angel with Denise Phillips
Saturday : 15.00 to 16.00 The Main Event with Denise Phillips
Sunday : 11.00 to 12.00 The Main Event with Denise Phillips
Sunday : 12.00 to 15.00 Radio Angel with Denise Phillips
Do join me, Denise Phillips and have a great week with the special sounds from
Bayrak International Live.
For those local readers who have interesting hobbies or interests who think it could make an interesting subject for a Radio show, do please send me a message through cyprusscene.
Jay Wadams Photography Exhibition – Gardens of Irini, Bellapais
By Margaret Sheard…..
Good news for lovers of the art of photography. Jay Wadams will be holding a second exhibition at the Gardens of Irini in Bellapais which will have its opening at 5pm on Thursday 26th May and continue for the general public through to Sunday 29th May where he will be showing a combination of his recent travel images and also some studio work he has recently been undertaking.
Having visited Jay’s first exhibition at the Gardens of Irini, this is sure to be a brilliant event to see Jay’s work and below are a few of the photographs as a taster of what we can look forward to seeing.
Vox Pop on BRT Television 17/04/2016 – Richard Chamberlain, Photographer
By Engin Dervişağa…….
It seems many of my past shows were very popular and due to great demand we are repeating this coming week the Vox Pop show when I went with my camera crew to meet with an old friend of Vox Pop, Richard Chamberlain who has recently moved from the UK and settled now in Ozankoy.
Many of our readers will remember Richard who served with the British Army in the Famagusta area from 1954 to 1955 and embarked on a hobby of photography which eventually led him to have a book of his Cyprus photographs published.
Coming back to Cyprus many times he then decided to take comparison photographs and have another book published of pictures of then and now.
Richard talked to us about his past work and plans for the future to preserve his memories of Cyprus past.
You can watch this fascinating show on Vox Pop programme on BR2 Live on Sunday 17th of April at 15.30, click here and it will be repeated on Wednesday 20th April at 11.00am
For Radio Lovers do also tune in and join me on BRT Radio on Saturday at 19.00pm for my programme Top Twenty which is compiled by DJ Bora and this show is repeated on Sunday at 15.00pm. We are transmitting this on 6.150 MH/z. Short-wave, 87.8 and 105 FM Stereo. You can also tune in to live streaming of this radio show on your PC by clicking here.If you wish you can also watch a number of my past Vox Pop shows which can be selected for viewing by clicking here
If you want to learn more of Bayrak Radio and Television please click here