Cyprus Foundations Administration Marks 454 Years of Service

A ceremony was held in Northern Cyprus to commemorate the 454th anniversary of the Cyprus Foundations Administration (Evkaf), along with the 69th anniversary of its handover from British colonial rule to the Turkish Cypriot community.

The event took place at the Evkaf headquarters in Nicosia and brought together prominent figures, including TRNC President Ersin Tatar, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, Turkish Ambassador to Nicosia Ali Murat Başçeri, key ministers, and members of the foundation’s leadership.

The ceremony opened with a moment of silence and the national anthem, followed by the laying of a wreath at the bust of Atatürk.

In his speech, Evkaf Director General Mustafa Tümer emphasized the foundation’s enduring role in society, stating:
“The Foundations Administration stands as a powerful symbol of civilization, solidarity, shared resources, and social responsibility. Since the Ottoman era, Cyprus’s foundations have served the community across a wide range of areas — from education and healthcare to supporting the poor and sustaining religious institutions.”

Following the formal speeches, awards were presented to winners of a primary school art competition themed “The Role of Foundations in Social Development.”

Art Competition Winners:

1st Grade Category:
• 1st Place: Muhsin Terlik – Şehit Ertuğrul Primary School
• 2nd Place: Gülçe Erdoğan – Şehit Doğan Ahmet Primary School
• 3rd Place: İlkim Şahinsay – Cihangir Düzova Primary School

2nd Grade Category:
• 1st Place: Öykü Kara – Şehit Ertuğrul Primary School
• 2nd Place: Ela Nur – Kurtuluş Primary School
• 3rd Place: Okyanus Koşalev – Eastern Mediterranean Doğa Primary School (Supervising teacher: Çelen Alibeyoğlu)

3rd Grade Category:
• 1st Place: Sahil Sırdar – Levent Primary School
• 2nd Place: Miloslava Yefimova – Alsancak Primary School
• 3rd Place: Emine Hazar – Cihangir Düzova Primary School

The Cyprus Foundations Administration is responsible for overseeing vakıf (charitable endowments) and managing registered foundation properties on the island. It was officially established in 1571, shortly after the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus.