Controversy over museum privatization: Opposition demands transparency and abandonment of reforms

Discussion of the possible privatization of some state museums in the TRNC has sparked a sharp public and political reaction. The plans involve transferring eight of the 28 profit-making museums under a public-private partnership model, which critics argue threatens the preservation of cultural heritage.

Ayşe Öztabay, Secretary for Digital Communications, Media, and Public Administration of the Turkish Cypriot Democracy Party (TDP), stated that she is closely monitoring the situation. She recalled statements by the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment, Fikri Ataoğlu, who previously spoke about working on a "modern museum model" involving private sector participation.

According to Öztabay, even discussing the transfer of museums to private management is unacceptable. She emphasized that museums are not commercial objects but keepers of public memory, and their fate should not depend on market mechanisms.

Separately, she questioned the transparency of the tourism fund expenditures, noting the need for accountability regarding the use and distribution of accumulated funds.

"I do not accept even the idea of transferring historical artifacts into private hands. If a decision on privatization has been made, it should be abandoned. Tourism is about preserving roots, not losing them," Öztabay declared.

The opposition insists on a review of the initiative and calls on the authorities to focus on preserving cultural heritage and strengthening public control over the financing of the museum sector.