The Famagusta municipality on Friday said it “regretted” the Turkish Cypriot authorities’ decision to not allow Kataklysmos celebrations to take place in the town.

“This year’s Kataklysmos celebrations will not take place in Famagusta, despite people’s collective efforts and the support that groups of residents of Famagusta have tried to offer and the support we have tried to offer as a municipality to the best of our ability,” it said.

It added that it was “saddened” by the decision, but that “we have faith that the people of Famagusta will not be discouraged from persisting and organising to be present in Famagusta”.

“We will always stand by our town’s civil society and support their efforts. The people of Famagusta will preserve the religious and cultural traditions of our town and above all, we will thwart attempts to erase the memory and history of the town,” it said.

It added, “we will be present in our town, paving the way for a return, for freedom and peace for Famagusta and for all of Cyprus”.