Children show us the right way, says Akıncı at art event
“CHILDREN are showing us the right way, let’s listen to them more carefully,” President Mustafa Akıncı said in response to letters from children voicing concerns about the environment.
Speaking at an art exhibition and charity bazaar organised by Doğanköy’s Art Therapy Studio, the president was invited to reply to children’s letters that were accompanied by environmentalthemed paintings and questions.
Hosted by Esentepe’s Korineum Golf and Beach Resort last Friday, the Getting Into Action event highlighted, through the eyes of children, an artistic view of challenges faced by turtles and endemic birds on the island.
Some 250 people, including parents, took part in the day, which also featured stalls selling environment-themed art works such as paintings, candles and Tshirts produced by some 80 children aged between three and 11. The motifs were chosen to reflect environmental information gained during year-long activities at Art Therapy sessions led by Bahar Çıralı.
Mr Akıncı had “green peace” conversations with the children while also replying to their letters. These had been sent with environment-themed questions as part of the year of activities, also aimed at helping the youngsters to be confident in expressing their thoughts and preparing them to become “active citizens”.
In an opening speech, the president praised organisers for holding such an event to raise awareness of environmental issues among children and also giving them a chance to freely express themselves.
He said: “You can raise awareness about the environment through efforts and an accumulation of information over years but it requires patience
. . . this awareness is slowly increasing in our country, although there is still a long way to go.”
Referring to the letters, he said: “I have received lots from children asking for an end to environment pollution. They also expressed demands to firstly warn those who pollute and then, if necessary, to fine them”.
Highlighting the importance of “deterrent” action for the protection of the environment, he said: “Whoever pollutes should pay the cost. There is no other way . . . in developed countries, polluters are heavily fined.” The president wrote a message on a board saying: “It’s our common responsibility to leave a greener and cleaner country and world where the future generations can live in peace. We can start doing so by listening to our children more carefully. Let’s get into action.” Art Therapy’s Bahar Çıralı told Cyprus Today: “The children had a fun day, running around and playing while also performing their jobs of selling artworks from the stalls.” Proceeds from the stalls went to the North Cyprus Society for the Protection of Turtles (Spot) and the North Cyprus Society for the Protection of Birds nad Nature (Kuşkor).