Municipal centre in Famagusta held a wedding with music during national mourning

A wedding with musical accompaniment was held at the MAGEM municipal centre in Famagusta (Mağusa Gelişim Merkezi), despite a three-day national mourning period continuing in the TRNC following the sinking of a vessel off Kyrenia. The Ministry of Tourism and Environment suspended all music permits for this period.

The ministry warned that establishments playing music during the mourning period would be punished under Environmental Law No. 18/2012. The ban covers bars, cafés and restaurants, while the Kyrenia District Administration had previously cancelled permits already issued for music and events until further notice.

MAGEM is a facility operated by the Famagusta municipality. The musical celebration at the municipal venue prompted criticism: rules introduced for private businesses should apply equally to venues maintained by local authorities, while the municipality took no steps to cancel the event or change its format.

The mourning period was declared after the Filo Jet catamaran sank off Kyrenia, killing eight people, while 20 people remain missing. It is not yet known whether the ministry will apply the announced sanctions to the municipal centre.