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Lefkoniko

Coordinates: 35°15′36″N 33°43′54″E / 35.26000°N 33.73167°E / 35.26000; 33.73167
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(Redirected from Geçitkale)
Lefkoniko
Λευκόνοικο (Greek)
Geçitkale (Turkish)
Municipality
The main square of the town
The main square of the town
Lefkoniko is located in Cyprus
Lefkoniko
Lefkoniko
Coordinates: 35°15′36″N 33°43′54″E / 35.26000°N 33.73167°E / 35.26000; 33.73167
Country (de jure) Cyprus
 • DistrictFamagusta District
Country (de facto) Northern Cyprus[1]
 • DistrictGazimağusa District
Government
 • MayorHasan Öztaş[2] (in Lefkoniko)
Zina Lisandrou Panagidi (in exile)
Population
 (2011)[3]
 • Total
1,253
 • Municipality
2,380
WebsiteTurkish Cypriot municipality

Lefkoniko (Greek: Λευκόνοικο; Turkish: Lefkonuk or Geçitkale) is a town in the Mesaoria Plain under the de facto control of Northern Cyprus, claimed by Cyprus. Lefkoniko is the birthplace of Cypriot national poet Vasilis Michaelides and is known for its lace.

Geçitkale Air Base of the Turkish Air Force is near Lefkoniko.

History

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In 1909, the first co-op in Cyprus was founded in Lefkoniko and, in 1939, the municipality of Lefkoniko was established.

In a 1955 anti-British demonstration, schoolboys burned the town post office. A collective fine of $2,000 was placed on the inhabitants of Lefkoniko and the Governor of Cyprus ordered a 24-hour curfew on Lefkoniko until it was paid.[4]

Demographics

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Before 1960, Lefkoniko was inhabited both by Greek and Turkish Cypriots. The latter were the minority. With the exception of a family of three, all Turkish Cypriots fled the town in the Emergency years. Greek Cypriots were displaced to the south of the island during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, and Lefkoniko was repopulated by Turkish Cypriots from Kofinou and nearby Artemi, which was abandoned. In 1960, Lefkoniko had a population of 2,358.[5] It was the 8th most populous settlement in Famagusta District and 32nd in the whole of Cyprus. As of 2011, its population was 1,253.

Sports

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Turkish Cypriot Geçitkale Günay Spor Kulübü was founded in 1955, and is now in Cyprus Turkish Football Association (CTFA) BTM 1st League.[6] Also Geçitkale Women’s Team was founded in 2012 and currently playing in the top league of CTFA Women’s League.[7][8]

International relations

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Cittaslow

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In June 2018,after long efforts, Lefkoniko finally joined to Cittaslow (slow city) network and received their official certificate of conformity and their flag during the general assembly. Therefore Lefkoniko has won the fourth Cittaslow title in the TRNC.[9]

Twin towns – sister cities

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See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Northern Cyprus

Lefkoniko is twinned with:

Tourist attractions

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Archangelos Michael Church

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Archangelos Michael Church in 2019, following restoration works.

The construction of the church dates back to the 12th century. The church has an arcade along the south side and a double aisle with a chamber at the south west corner of it. The church also has a painting of Archangelos Michael covering a wall. Renovation works are fully funded by EU within Cultural Heritage Programme that European Commission implements through UNDP. Renovation works have started in October 2016 and completed in a year (October 2017). The total cost was 430,000 Euro.[11]

References

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  1. ^ In 1983, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus unilaterally declared independence from the Republic of Cyprus. The de facto state is not recognised by any UN state except Turkey.
  2. ^ [1] Hasan Öztaş Bir Kez Daha Seçildi
  3. ^ "KKTC 2011 Nüfus ve Konut Sayımı" [TRNC 2011 Population and Housing Census] (PDF) (in Turkish). TRNC State Planning Organization. 6 August 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 November 2013.
  4. ^ VILLAGE PAYS UP - British Pathé
  5. ^ "LEFKONOIKO". Internal Displacement in Cyprus. PRIO Cyprus Centre. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  6. ^ [2] Geçitkale Men’s Football
  7. ^ [3] Geçitkale Women’s Football
  8. ^ "KKTC-FKB". Archived from the original on 2015-06-18. Retrieved 2015-06-18. Association of Football Clubs
  9. ^ "Cittaslow: The fourth "slow city" recognised in the TRNC". 30 May 2018.
  10. ^ "Mahalli İdareler Genel Müdürlüğü'". © Yalova. Archived from the original on 2013-10-21. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  11. ^ "Archangelos Michael Church: celebrating a common heritage | UNDP in Cyprus". www.cy.undp.org. Archived from the original on 2018-04-15.
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