LONDON — Çiğdem Karaca, president of the Lycia Women’s Cooperative (Likya Kadın Kooperatifi), represented Fethiye at a November 3 event at the UK House of Lords celebrating the 25th anniversary of Avrupa Gazetesi. She introduced the cooperative’s work and Fethiye’s local products to an international audience.
The event—held in Westminster, the upper chamber of the UK Parliament—included a Turkish media workshop, a historical exhibition and an awards ceremony. It brought together representatives from politics, diplomacy, media, academia, business and civil society. The program was supported by Turkey’s Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB).
Karaca spoke about women’s role in local production and the economic and social opportunities created through their craft. She highlighted Fethiye’s geographically indicated Kaya carpet, the Seydiler kilim and dastar, a traditional hand-woven fabric. She also described the cooperative’s business and social network model and its efforts to preserve local traditions while connecting them with the economy. Karaca presented guests with gifts from Fethiye, including products showcasing its weaving heritage.
The celebration was hosted by Lord Qurban Hussain, Baron Hussain of Luton. Opening speakers included Afzal Khan, Labour MP for Manchester Rusholme; Vatan Öz, founding editor-in-chief of Avrupa Gazetesi; Nesil Çalışkan, Labour MP for Barking; and Deborah Bonetti, president of the Foreign Press Association in London.
In his remarks, Lord Hussain recognized the newspaper’s 25-year history, Öz’s 30-year career in UK journalism, and the contributions of immigrant communities. He also spoke about multiculturalism, social cohesion, a free press and the newspaper’s role in raising the visibility of the Turkish community and strengthening Turkish-British ties. Khan praised the work involved in sustaining a newspaper for 25 years and said media helps communities build awareness and make their voices heard. Çalışkan highlighted the Turkish community’s contributions to the UK and the importance of Turkish-British friendship. Bonetti discussed the sustainability of diaspora media, its adaptation to digital change and the challenge of reaching future generations.
Avrupa Gazetesi published its first edition on February 21, 2002, in East London, initially printing 30,000 copies. It continues to publish in print and has expanded across digital platforms. Öz described the newspaper’s journey in his opening remarks, saying it had begun at a small table and reached the House of Lords 25 years later. The event also recognized the newspaper’s contribution to the Turkish community’s social and cultural presence in the UK.
Mark Stephens CBE, a media law expert and member of the Oxford University Advisory Board, had been scheduled to give a keynote address but could not attend because of an urgent UK injunction case. In a message read to guests, he congratulated Öz and the newspaper team, describing the publication as a voice for the Turkish community and a bridge between Turkey and the UK. He wrote that the world needs bridges more than walls.
The media workshop focused on the future of Turkish-language media in Europe. Speakers included Lord Hussain, Bonetti, Alipaşa Akbaş, founder of Kanal Avrupa TV; Arda Sayıner of Hürriyet; Sevgin Alişoğlu of Kanal D; and Adil Elmas, producer for the Avusturya Günlüğü newspaper and television program. Awards recognized work in journalism, television, health tourism, immigrant achievement, friendship-building and contributions to the European diaspora.
The exhibition, “Pages Opening to Friendship,” was curated by Dr. Özgenur Reyhan Güler using items selected from the archive of Prof. Dr. Osman Kubilay Gül. Featuring Turkish and British archival documents and newspaper clippings, it traced the history of relations between the two countries through diplomacy, the press and shared social memory.
Guests included Selim Turan, third secretary at the Turkish Embassy in London; Aysan Mullasan, representative of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in London; Gamze Özdemir, press counselor at the Turkish Embassy; Azambek İsrailov, consul at the Embassy of Uzbekistan; Oğuzhan Turan Gönültaş, deputy consul in London; and Dr. Mehmet Karakuş, director of the Yunus Emre Institute in London. Other attendees included Sir Iqbal Sacranie OBE, MÜSİAD UK President Türkan Akbaş, MÜSİAD UK Vice President Dr. Murat Bayizit and Manchester Labour Party member Mehmet Nezir Korkut, along with community, business and media representatives.
Held during the week of Republic Day celebrations, the program observed a moment of silence for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Turkey, and journalists who died in the line of duty. A congratulatory message from Abdulhadi Turus, head of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities, was also shared.
Participants from Turkey, Tatarstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan attended in traditional national dress. The event gave the Lycia Women’s Cooperative a platform to present Fethiye through its women-led craftsmanship, traditional production and cultural heritage, as well as its natural attractions and tourism.
Sources: Alim Karaca – Fethiye Belediye Başkanı/https://www.avrupagazete.co.uk/avrupa-gazetesi-lordlar-kamerasinda-yirmi-besinci-yilini-kutladi
