“We are proud to see the spirit of TEKNOFEST take root in Northern Cyprus
and resonate across the world.”
—Ersin Tatar, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
By Feyzullah Aslantürk
Under the auspices of the Presidency of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and organized by the Türkiye Technology Team Foundation (T3 Foundation) in collaboration with the Turkish Ministry of Industry and Technology, TEKNOFEST—one of the world’s largest aerospace and technology festivals—concluded with great excitement in the TRNC. The closing ceremony honored the top-performing participants with awards in a range of innovation-driven competitions.
The grand ceremony was attended by TRNC President Ersin Tatar, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, President of the Defense Industry Agency Haluk Görgün, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, and Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of the TEKNOFEST Board and the T3 Foundation.
President Tatar: “A Stronger Future with Our Youth”
TRNC President Ersin Tatar extended his gratitude to everyone involved in organizing the event. “We are proud to see the spirit of TEKNOFEST take root in Northern Cyprus and resonate across the world. It is incredibly valuable to experience Türkiye’s innovation, success, and leadership, and to channel the inspiration it brings into building a stronger future alongside our youth,” he stated.
Vice President Yılmaz Highlights Defense Industry Growth
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz emphasized Türkiye’s transformative strides in the defense industry. “Across developed nations, we observe that technological breakthroughs typically originate in defense sectors before influencing civilian industries. Over the past four months, our defense exports have increased by nearly 67% compared to last year. We aim to exceed $10 billion in defense exports in the near future,” he noted.
Minister Kacır: “Our Youth Make Us Proud with Innovative Projects”
Minister Kacır remarked that the TRNC edition of TEKNOFEST was a powerful convergence of history, science, and technology, fueled by overwhelming public enthusiasm. “We witnessed firsthand that the Turkish Cypriot people are not guests, but hosts in their homeland. We proudly showcased groundbreaking technologies—products of Turkish engineers, scientists, and technicians—that are making global headlines. Youth from Northern Cyprus, across Türkiye, and even abroad impressed us with their forward-thinking projects, demonstrating that when they commit to something, there is nothing they cannot achieve.”
He added: “Our vision is to transform Northern Cyprus into a thriving hub for tech innovation and digital entrepreneurship—home to thousands of bright students and future leaders. This is a path to rewriting success stories and elevating the prosperity of a community that has long endured unjust isolation.”
A Spirit of Unity and Determination
“We are committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with the Turkish Cypriot people, moving forward together with the spirit of the National Technology Initiative,” said Kacır. “I wholeheartedly congratulate our young innovators and future tech leaders who participated in TEKNOFEST. Their efforts fill their parents, teachers, and our entire nation with pride.”
He concluded with a passionate declaration: “Long live Türkiye! Long live the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus! Let the whole world—from east to west, and especially the south—hear our voice.”
Prime Minister Üstel: “Turkish Youth Now Lead the Future”
TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel expressed his excitement over the four-day celebration of innovation. “This is more than a festival—it is a shared vision for the future. Turkish youth are no longer merely observers. They are now creators, builders, and global influencers shaping the world through technology,” he said.
Selçuk Bayraktar: “Hope Has Blossomed Once Again”
Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of the TEKNOFEST Board and T3 Foundation, addressed the younger generation with optimism: “We are wrapping up another TEKNOFEST in Northern Cyprus with great energy and joy. Just look at the belief and enthusiasm in this space—our hopes have been reignited. This festival stands as a powerful symbol of the passion and determination of the Turkish Cypriot community.”
Next Stop: Istanbul
Bayraktar announced that the next TEKNOFEST will take place in Istanbul this September and extended an open invitation to all youth to participate.
Awards and Achievements
The TEKNOFEST TRNC edition featured six major technology competitions across 13 subcategories. Over 47,000 contestants from 22 countries, including Türkiye, applied to compete. A total of 268 finalist teams comprising 1,083 participants engaged in a fierce contest of creativity and innovation. The top teams were recognized and awarded during the closing ceremony.
A Celebration of Innovation in the Skies
Aerial displays captivated festival-goers, featuring performances from the Turkish Stars aerobatic team, the HÜRKUŞ aircraft, the Jandarma Steel Wings, ATAK helicopters, and the iconic Bayraktar TB2. A special evacuation demonstration was also performed by the Special Forces helicopter unit.
A Full Festival Experience
TEKNOFEST offered a rich array of experiences:
◗ Technology competitions and innovation fairs
◗ Interactive workshops for children aged 6–14
◗ Exhibitions on aerospace, space, and the Cyprus Peace Operation
◗ XR and simulation experiences
◗ Planetarium screenings
◗ Student pilot and pedal flight activities
◗ Engaging science demonstrations and main stage performances
Visitors also enjoyed talks, panels, and interactive zones, turning the event into a comprehensive celebration of technology and youth empowerment.
TEKNOFEST TRNC proved to be more than a festival—it was a declaration of ambition, unity, and a shared commitment to a technologically empowered future. ■
