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About North Cyprus · Figures

Turkish Cypriot writers, artists and musicians

As of 24 October 2026, sources on Turkish Cypriot cultural life name poets and novelists from the Ottoman period onward, pioneer painters born from 1893, sculptors, composers, performers, theatre founders and film directors. This page summarises what papers from the 9th Turkish Culture Congress held in Lefkoşa in 2021, university theses and records, the TRNC Public Information Office, the TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs and dated media profiles say about each person. Every card gives only public work and recognition, attributed to the source linked.

Checked 24 October 2026 against the sources named in the text and listed below. Positions of parties are attributed to them.

Ottoman-era and early modern literature. AI visual concept
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Ottoman-era and early modern literature

According to İsmail Bozkurt's paper "450 Years of Literary Accumulation in Turkish in Cyprus", given at the 9th Turkish Culture Congress in Lefkoşa in October 2021, Turkish-language literature in Cyprus includes folk poetry close to Anatolian folk literature, a Divan poetry tradition of the Ottoman period and, from the late 19th century, plays, stories and novels. Bozkurt refers readers to the five-volume history of Turkish Cypriot literature (1571–2017) that he prepared with Oğuz Karakartal for entries on each writer.

Bozkurt dates the start of Western-style Turkish Cypriot writing to the influence of Namık Kemal, who spent 38 months in exile on the island between 1873 and 1876. He describes a later "localisation" phase from 1928, when Cypriot settings and people entered literature, and the 1943 anthology "Çığ" as the first group effort to institutionalise it. Metin Turan of the Çukurova University Turcology site describes the first poets of this phase as continuing romantic, syllabic verse.

The cards below follow the order and wording of these two papers. For folk songs, tales and Karagöz, see Turkish Cypriot culture and traditions.

  • Divan poet

    Müftü Hasan Hilmi (1782–1847)

    Bozkurt writes that Hasan Hilmi of Cyprus was one of four Divan poets honoured by the sultans with the title "sultanü-ş şuara" (Sultan of Poets).

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • folk (âşık) poet

    Âşık Kenzi (1796?–1839)

    Bozkurt describes Kenzi as a poet in the âşık tradition who left an unfinished Divan of songs, semais and koşmas, and epics about the Balkan lands and wars he saw. His epic "Dâsitân-ı Kıbrıs" deals with the political events of his time.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • playwright

    Mağusalı Hasan Nef'î (1854–1917)

    According to Bozkurt, Nef'î's play "Felâket" is the first known Turkish Cypriot work written under the influence of Tanzimat literature. Namık Kemal corrected it and had it printed in Istanbul in 1875.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • poet and novelist

    Kaytazzade Mehmet Nâzım (1857–1924)

    Bozkurt credits Kaytazzade with the first "vatan" (homeland) themed poem in Turkish Cypriot literature and with its first novel, "Yâdigâr-ı Muhabbet", serialised from 1894 and published as a book in 1896.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • journalist, humorist and poet

    Ahmet Tevfik Efendi (1838?–1910)

    Bozkurt writes that Ahmet Tevfik is regarded as the first Turkish journalist and first humorist of Cyprus. He names "Bir Manzara-i Dil-güşâ" (1897) as the first known Turkish Cypriot short story, "Hicran-ı Ebedî" (1895) as the first play printed in Cyprus, and Kokonoz and Akbaba as the first humour papers.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • essayist and translator

    Ahmet Râik (Çağlar) (1884–1962)

    Bozkurt says Ahmet Râik translated from English literature and published literary articles in papers in Cairo, Baku and Tbilisi. He names "Eski Şeyler" (1926) as the first essay book in Turkish Cypriot literature.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • writer

    Ulviye Mithat (1906–1980)

    Bozkurt notes that Ulviye Mithat wrote on women's rights, women's education and village development in the trilingual publication Embros.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • novelist, playwright and poet

    Hikmet Afif Mapolar (1919–1989)

    According to Bozkurt, Mapolar began localisation in Turkish Cypriot literature, making Cypriot people and places the subject of stories and novels. "Kahraman Kaplan" (1935) is known as the first Turkish Cypriot book in the Latin alphabet; he also wrote the novel "Kasırga" (1939) and the plays "Duman", "Meş'ale", "Mucize" and "Altın Şehir".

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • poet

    Nazif Süleyman Ebeoğlu (1921–2007)

    Bozkurt names Ebeoğlu's "Beyrut Rıhtımlarında" (1942) as the first Turkish Cypriot poetry book in the Latin alphabet. Metin Turan lists him among the early romantic, syllabic poets of contemporary Turkish Cypriot poetry.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • poet

    Urkiye Mine Balman (1927–2008)

    Bozkurt lists Balman among the writers in the 1943 anthology "Çığ" and among women humorists of the period. Metin Turan names her with the early romantic, syllabic poets.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • poet

    Engin Gönül (Emine Otan) (1926–1999)

    Bozkurt lists Engin Gönül, the pen name of Emine Otan, among the contributors to the 1943 anthology "Çığ" and among women humorists. Metin Turan places her with the early romantic, syllabic poets.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • writer and poet

    Semih Sait Umar (1923–2009)

    Bozkurt lists Umar among the contributors to the 1943 anthology "Çığ" and among the writers who produced prose after the Second World War.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

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Poets from the 1950s onward. AI visual concept
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Poets from the 1950s onward

According to Bozkurt, the poets who first became known in the late 1940s and 1950s included Nevzat Yalçın, Osman Türkay, Özker Yaşın and Pembe Marmara, as radio literature programmes and links with Turkey grew. He describes the 1950s arrival of free verse under the influence of the "Garip" movement, and from 1960 an "abstract poetry" movement drawing on Turkey's "İkinci Yeni"; he also names Kaya Çanca, Zeki Ali, Yılmaz Hakkı Hakeri and Ersin Taşer in this line.

Bozkurt says that poetry after 1974 cannot be listed name by name, since two volumes of the five-volume literary history are given to poetry. He singles out the "74 Kuşağı" (also called "Red Cephesi") of Hakkı Yücel, Mehmet Yaşın and Neşe Yaşın. Metin Turan writes that from the mid-1970s a Cypriot identity tendency appears in the work of many Turkish Cypriot writers, and names women poets who combine feminist thought with a Mediterranean identity.

Bozkurt also describes a nationalist poetry line before and after 1974. These are his classifications; this page reports them without taking a position.

  • poet

    Nevzat Yalçın (1926–2012)

    Bozkurt writes that Yalçın became one of the "Hisarcılar" group of poets in Turkey. Metin Turan lists his collection "'A' Sokağı Şiirleri" (Hisar Yayınları, 1969).

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • poet

    Osman Türkay (1927–2001)

    Bozkurt states that Türkay's books were translated into many languages and that he was twice nominated for the Nobel Prize. Metin Turan writes that English poetry shaped his work, that he settled in England, and names "Uyurgezer" (1969) and "Beethoven'de Aydınlığa Uyanmak" (1970).

    Source: turkoloji.cu.edu.tr

  • poet and novelist

    Özker Yaşın (1932–2011)

    Bozkurt writes that Yaşın recorded the Turkish Cypriot experience of 1955–1965 in poems and novels, was for a time called the "milli şair" (national poet) and became well known in Turkey. Metin Turan cites his collection "Babil Daha Uzakta" (1963).

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • poet

    Pembe Marmara (1935–1984)

    Bozkurt names Marmara as the long-standing representative of the "Garip" approach in Turkish Cypriot poetry. Metin Turan notes that she published under several pen names and cites her collection "Şiirler" (1986).

    Source: turkoloji.cu.edu.tr

  • poet

    Mehmet Kansu (b. 1936)

    Bozkurt names Kansu and Fikret Demirağ as the pioneers of "abstract" (imagist) poetry on the island, with their joint book "İkinin Yaşamı" (1960). Metin Turan traces his path from Garip and İkinci Yeni to social realism and Mediterranean themes, citing "Toprağım Şimdi Yorgun" (1998) and "Yüzüm ve Gökyüzü Arasında Hayaletler" (2002).

    Source: turkoloji.cu.edu.tr

  • poet

    Fikret Demirağ (1938–2010)

    Bozkurt lists Demirağ with Mehmet Kansu as a pioneer of abstract poetry in Cyprus, starting with "İkinin Yaşamı" (1960). Metin Turan cites his collections "Ötme Keklik Ölürüm" (1972) and "Ada'mın Sahilinde" (2005).

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • poet and writer

    Neriman Cahit (b. 1947)

    Bozkurt describes Neriman Cahit as a versatile woman writer who works in several genres, including research and travel writing. Metin Turan writes that she began, as a mission, the tendency of Turkish Cypriot women poets to combine feminist thought with a Mediterranean, island identity.

    Source: turkoloji.cu.edu.tr

  • poet

    Hakkı Yücel (b. 1952)

    Bozkurt lists Yücel with Mehmet Yaşın and Neşe Yaşın in the "74 Kuşağı" generation, which he says rejected the earlier nationalist poetry tradition. Metin Turan describes this generation as one that put Cypriot identity forward.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • poet and novelist

    Mehmet Yaşın (b. 1958)

    Bozkurt names Yaşın among the "74 Kuşağı" poets and among Turkish Cypriot novelists. Metin Turan cites his "Kıbrıslıtürk Şiiri Antolojisi" (Yapı Kredi Yayınları, 1994) and "Poeturka" (1995).

    Source: turkoloji.cu.edu.tr

  • poet

    Neşe Yaşın (b. 1959)

    Bozkurt lists Neşe Yaşın in the "74 Kuşağı" with Hakkı Yücel and Mehmet Yaşın. Metin Turan names her among the poets whose work, from the mid-1970s, reflects a Cypriot identity.

    Source: turkoloji.cu.edu.tr

  • poet and playwright

    Filiz Naldöven (1954–2016)

    Bozkurt lists Naldöven among Turkish Cypriot playwrights after 1974. Metin Turan names her among the poets who have kept producing while building their own poetics.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • poet

    Faize Özdemirciler

    Metin Turan describes Özdemirciler as a careful and productive poet who built her own poetics around a Mediterranean, Cypriot identity, with musical references in her lines. He cites "Deli Temmuz" (1999) and "Her Aşk Doğduğu Yere Benzer" (2001).

    Source: turkoloji.cu.edu.tr

  • poet and painter

    Ümit İnatçı

    Metin Turan names İnatçı among the poets whose work reflects the Cypriot identity tendency since the mid-1970s. The Middle East Institute (2009) also lists him among contemporary Turkish Cypriot visual artists.

    Source: turkoloji.cu.edu.tr

  • poet and children's writer

    Ayşen Dağlı (b. 1962)

    Bozkurt lists Dağlı among Turkish Cypriot writers of children's literature. Metin Turan names her among the poets of her generation who have broadened Turkish Cypriot poetry.

    Source: turkoloji.cu.edu.tr

  • poet

    Fatma Akilhoca

    Metin Turan names Akilhoca among the younger Turkish Cypriot women poets in the feminist, Mediterranean line begun by Neriman Cahit, and cites her book "İstersem Güneşi Tutabilirim" (Gazimağusa, 2001).

    Source: turkoloji.cu.edu.tr

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Novelists, playwrights and researchers after 1974. AI visual concept
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Novelists, playwrights and researchers after 1974

According to Bozkurt, all literary genres have been written in Turkish Cypriot literature since 1974, including novels, stories, memoirs, travel writing, essays, children's literature and plays. He reports that his survey covered 136 novels as of 2017 and that memoir was the most productive prose genre.

Bozkurt also credits Oğuz Karakartal and a younger generation of scholars with the academic study of Turkish Cypriot literature. The thesis by Nurgül Karakoca on Bekir Kara is one example of such work on an individual playwright.

Several writers named by Bozkurt also held political office; in line with this page's scope, they are not listed here.

  • literary researcher and poet

    Harid Fedai (1930–2017)

    Bozkurt lists Fedai among writers of literary and cultural research and of satirical poetry. His bibliography cites Fedai's editions of "Kıbrıslı Âşık Kenzi Divanı" (1989 and 1993) and of Müftü Hilmi Efendi's poems (2000).

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • playwright and theatre director

    Ali Nesim (1941–2014)

    Bozkurt lists Nesim among Turkish Cypriot playwrights after 1974 and among writers of cultural research. A 2019 Near East University master's thesis by Gülfem Alta records that he directed the Turkish Cypriot State Theatre from 1990 to 1994.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • playwright, director and novelist

    Bekir Kara (b. 1945)

    Bozkurt lists Kara among Turkish Cypriot novelists and playwrights. A 2023 Hacettepe University master's thesis by Nurgül Karakoca examines thirty-two of his plays, calls him "the socialist voice of Cyprus" theatre and says his theatre work in the Güzelyurt area trained many people.

    Source: openaccess.hacettepe.edu.tr

  • novelist, playwright and painter

    Özden Selenge (b. 1947)

    Bozkurt lists Selenge among Turkish Cypriot novelists and playwrights. Bülent Salderay counts Özden Selenge (Serak) among the 26 pioneer painters of Turkish Cypriot painting, and the Middle East Institute (2009) names her among artists who held solo exhibitions.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • playwright

    Ahmet Tolgay (b. 1944)

    Bozkurt gives Tolgay as an example of a Turkish Cypriot playwright after 1974.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • playwright

    Sevil Emirzade (b. 1948)

    Bozkurt gives Emirzade as an example of a Turkish Cypriot playwright after 1974.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • novelist

    Tijen Zeybek (b. 1965)

    Bozkurt lists Zeybek among Turkish Cypriot novelists in a survey that, he says, covered 136 novels as of 2017.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • short-story writer

    Hüseyin Çakmak (b. 1964)

    Bozkurt lists Çakmak among Turkish Cypriot short-story writers and notes that he has written humorous stories.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • memoirist

    Ahmet Sanver (b. 1943)

    Bozkurt writes that memoir was the most productive prose genre after 1974, with 214 books by 127 writers as of 2017, and names Sanver as one of two writers who work consistently and only in this genre.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • cultural researcher

    Gülgün Serdar (b. 1944)

    Bozkurt lists Serdar among writers who have published literary and cultural research after 1974.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • children's writer

    Aysel Gürmen (b. 1956)

    Bozkurt names Gürmen among Turkish Cypriot writers of children's literature.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

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Painters and sculptors. AI visual concept
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Painters and sculptors

According to Bülent Salderay's paper "Turkish Cypriot Painting Art and Pioneer Painters", presented at the same 2021 congress, Western-style painting took hold in Cyprus during British rule, and 26 pioneer painters born between 1893 and 1950 shaped Turkish Cypriot painting. He reports that most trained in Turkey, at the Gazi Education Institute in Ankara or the State Academy of Fine Arts in Istanbul, and returned to Cyprus.

Netice Yıldız, writing for the Middle East Institute in September 2009, traces Turkish Cypriot artists from the Pancyprian exhibitions of the colonial period to solo exhibitions from 1947 and a later generation of painters, sculptors and ceramic artists. Near East University held a retrospective of 18 works by first- and second-generation Turkish Cypriot painters in 2018.

Flag-related facts for the Republic of Cyprus and the TRNC are covered on Flag and symbols; the cards here concern the artists' work.

  • painter

    Olga Rauf (1893–1987)

    Bülent Salderay identifies Russian-born Olga Rauf as the first painter in the history of Turkish Cypriot painting and records her training at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts. The Middle East Institute (2009) says she was the only female Turkish Cypriot artist whose works appeared at the annual Pancyprian exhibitions.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • painter

    Mehmet Necati (1904–1967)

    The Middle East Institute (2009) names Mehmet Necati among the first Turkish Cypriot artists to exhibit and says his paintings appeared at the first Pancyprian exhibition. Salderay lists him among the pioneer painters.

    Source: mei.edu

  • painter

    Hasan Öztürk (1904–1981)

    The Middle East Institute (2009) lists Hasan Öztürk among the first Turkish Cypriot artists to exhibit. Salderay includes him among the 26 pioneer painters.

    Source: mei.edu

  • painter and designer

    İsmet Vehit Güney (died 2009)

    Near East University (2019) describes Güney as a pioneer of Turkish Cypriot painting who also worked in cartoons, advertising, graphics and photography. The Middle East Institute (2009) dates the first solo exhibition by a Turkish Cypriot artist to his 1947 show at the British Institute.

    Source: neu.edu.tr

  • painter and museologist

    Cevdet Çağdaş (b. 1926)

    The Middle East Institute (2009) lists Cevdet Çağdaş among the first Turkish Cypriot artists to exhibit. Salderay includes him among the pioneer painters, and his work was shown in Near East University's 2018 retrospective of Turkish Cypriot painters.

    Source: mei.edu

  • painter

    Ayhan Menteş (1935–2016)

    Salderay lists Menteş among the pioneer painters of Turkish Cypriot painting. The Middle East Institute (2009) names him among artists who followed Aylin Örek in holding solo exhibitions.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • painter and paper artist

    İnci Kansu (b. 1937)

    The Middle East Institute (2009) says Kansu was among the first graduates of the Gazi Higher Teachers' Training Institute and names her as a paper artist. Salderay lists her among the pioneer painters.

    Source: mei.edu

  • painter

    Aylin Örek (b. 1941)

    The Middle East Institute (2009) calls Örek the first Turkish Cypriot artist to earn a degree from the Fine Arts Academy in Istanbul and says she held a solo exhibition in Nicosia in 1966. Anadolu Agency, via CNN Türk (2018), reports a retrospective of 100 of her works at CerModern in Ankara and that her work is in the Istanbul State Museum of Painting and Sculpture.

    Source: cnnturk.com

  • painter

    Ali Atakan (1940–2007)

    Salderay lists Atakan among the pioneer painters of Turkish Cypriot painting. The Middle East Institute (2009) names him among artists who held solo exhibitions after Aylin Örek.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • painter

    Günay Güzelgün (b. 1944)

    Salderay lists Günay Osman (Güzelgün) among the pioneer painters. The Middle East Institute (2009) names Güzelgün among the contemporary artists continuing their predecessors' work.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • painter

    Emel Samioğlu (b. 1946)

    Salderay includes Samioğlu among the 26 pioneer painters. The Middle East Institute (2009) names her among artists who held solo exhibitions after Aylin Örek.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • painter

    Emin Çizenel (b. 1949)

    Politis (29 June 2026) reports that Çizenel studied at the Istanbul Academy of Fine Arts, has exhibited in Cyprus, Turkey, Sweden, the UK, Austria and the US, and that his work "A Lost Moment" is in the State Collection of the Republic of Cyprus.

    Source: en.politis.com.cy

  • painter

    Hikmet Uluçam (b. 1950)

    Salderay lists Uluçam among the pioneer painters and records that he graduated from the Istanbul State Academy of Fine Arts in 1975. His work was included in Near East University's 2018 retrospective of Turkish Cypriot painters.

    Source: akmb.gov.tr

  • sculptor and poet

    Şinasi Tekman (1933–2005)

    Eastern Mediterranean University (2016) describes Tekman as the first Turkish Cypriot sculptor, known for wooden sculptures, and notes his poetry and press articles. The Middle East Institute (2009) also lists him among Turkish Cypriot sculptors and ceramic artists.

    Source: news.emu.edu.tr

  • painter

    Ruzen Atakan (b. 1966)

    Her CV in the Eastern Mediterranean University art collection records graduation from Gazi Faculty of Education's painting department in 1988, solo exhibitions in Nicosia from 1991, and the 1988 Namık Kemal Painting Competition Award.

    Source: artcollection.emu.edu.tr

  • sculptor

    Zehra Şonya (b. 1972)

    Her CV in the Eastern Mediterranean University art collection records sculpture studies at Hacettepe University, solo exhibitions in Famagusta (2003) and Nicosia (2013), and group exhibitions in Cyprus, Turkey, Belgium, France and Jerusalem. The Middle East Institute (2009) lists her among Turkish Cypriot sculptors.

    Source: artcollection.emu.edu.tr

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Composers, performers and singers. AI visual concept
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Composers, performers and singers

Sources on individual Turkish Cypriot musicians are more scattered than those on writers. A 2001 Istanbul Technical University master's thesis by Cem Kafkas, cited here only for context, divides Turkish music in Cyprus into art music and folk music. For folk tunes and instruments, see Turkish Cypriot culture and traditions.

According to T-Vine, Kamran Aziz founded the ensemble "Kamran Aziz ve Arkadaşları" in 1950, which it calls the first Cypriot group specialising in Western music. Later figures on this list are described by state bodies such as the TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the news agency TAK, by universities, by Donne, Women in Music and by Turkish and Turkish Cypriot media.

The list covers musicians for whom a named source was found; it is not a complete directory of Turkish Cypriot music. Supporting listings include Yamaha's artist page for Okan Ersan and, as a secondary source only, Wikipedia for Fikri Karayel. Entries marked "Turkish Cypriot descent" are people born elsewhere whom the cited source describes as of Turkish Cypriot descent; other entries give a birthplace on the island, a documented role in Turkish Cypriot musical life or a representation of the TRNC, as the source states it.

  • composer

    Kamran Aziz (1922–2017)

    T-Vine (7 March 2017) describes Aziz as the first female composer in Turkish Cypriot history, names songs including "Kıbrıs'ım", "Kıbrıs Zeybeği", "Al Yemeni Mor Yemeni" and "Orak Zamanı Geldi", and reports a special award from the TRNC Parliament's Cultural Committee in February 2008. Donne, Women in Music, says her folk-inspired songs are now considered part of the Turkish Cypriot folk music canon.

    Source: t-vine.com

  • pianist

    Rüya Taner

    Habertürk (4 February 2020) describes Taner as a TRNC State Artist who trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, won first prizes including the National Mozart Competition, and gave a 1998 debut recital at Wigmore Hall. The TRNC news agency TAK reported a recital by her at the Turkish Embassy in Cairo in November 2025.

    Source: haberturk.com

  • pianist and composer

    Arman Ratip

    T-Vine (22 September 2017) calls Ratip a Turkish Cypriot pianist-composer active in jazz and avant-garde improvised music for over fifty years, who released two albums with EMI as a child prodigy. The TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists a piano recital by him organised with its London Representation on 6 February 2014.

    Source: t-vine.com

  • jazz fusion guitarist and composer

    Okan Ersan (b. 1972)

    Eastern Mediterranean University (6 December 2019) introduces Ersan as a Turkish Cypriot jazz fusion guitarist and composer. His Yamaha artist page names his first album "To Whom It May Concern" and lists performances at the Leverkusener Jazztage festival.

    Source: news.emu.edu.tr

  • singer

    Ziynet Sali

    Hürriyet's profile says Sali was born in Lefkoşa, graduated from the İTÜ Turkish Music State Conservatory and began her career with the studio album "Ba-Ba" in 2000. It names songs including "Herkes Evine", "Rüya" and "Alışkın Değiliz".

    Source: hurriyet.com.tr

  • singer and songwriter

    Fikri Karayel

    Kıbrıs Postası (26 March 2014) reported that his first album was about to be released, with a first video for the song "Hayal Edemezsin". Wikipedia, as a secondary source, describes him as a Turkish Cypriot rock singer and songwriter.

    Source: kibrispostasi.com

  • singer · Lefkoşa

    Buray (b. 1984)

    Born Buray Hoşsöz in Nicosia. Studied music at Eastern Mediterranean University and was lead singer of the group United Boyband in 2004. Studio albums include 1 Şişe Aşk (2015), Sahiden (2016) and Kehanet (2018).

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • singer · Lefke

    Nil Burak (b. 1948)

    Pop singer, songwriter and actress born in Lefka. Appeared in the film Gülşah (1975). Listed releases include Bizim Diyar (1981), Nil Burak'95 Akdeniz Rüzgarı (1995) and Mavi 2012 (2012).

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • bassist and composer · Lefkoşa

    Cahit Kutrafalı

    Bass player, composer and arranger born in Nicosia. Earned a music degree in 2007 and works as arranger and double bassist with the Nicosia Municipal Orchestra. His debut album As It Is was released in October 2015. Arranged the folk piece Sarhoş Zeybeği.

    Source: jazzeducationabroad.org

  • bass guitarist · Lefkoşa

    Oytun Ersan (b. 1978)

    Jazz fusion bass guitarist and composer born in Nicosia. Studied music at Eastern Mediterranean University. Releases include East Meets West (2015), Fusiolicious (2018) and Fusiolicious II: Now We're Talking Funk (2021).

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • singer · Lefkoşa

    Zeliş Şenol (b. 1985)

    Singer and actor born in Nicosia, active since 2000. Performed at the Europalia Festival in Berlin (2007), competed in Cyprus's national Eurovision finals (2009) and debuted on the Romanian market with the song Bonita (2013).

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • opera singer · Gazimağusa (Famagusta)

    Cemaliye Kıyıcı (b. 1940)

    Opera singer born in Famagusta and described by Wikipedia as the first Turkish Cypriot female opera singer. Began opera studies at the Ankara State Conservatory in 1955 and became a soloist at the Ankara State Opera and Ballet in 1960.

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • band · Lefkoşa

    Sıla 4

    Turkish Cypriot folk rock band formed in Nicosia as the Bayrak Quartet. Members listed include Erdinç Gündüz, Raif Denktaş, Aydın Kalfaoğlu and Ferahzad Gürsoy. Songs include Kıbrıs Gelini and Ata Binesim Geldi; final recorded album is Sıla 4 2009.

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • band · Güzelyurt (Morphou)

    SOS

    Turkish Cypriot rock band formed in Morphou in 1987. Released a first cassette in 1987 and, in 2014, an album of Turkish Cypriot folk songs in the band's own style.

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • composer and conductor · Lefkoşa

    Ali Hoca (b. 1961)

    Composer born in Lefkoşa and principal conductor of the TRNC Presidential Symphony Orchestra since 2015. Works include Kıbrıs Orkestra Suiti, Kıbrıs Suiti and the opera Arap Ali Destanı, staged in 2019 as the TRNC's first local opera.

    Source: i-rep.emu.edu.tr

  • composer

    Cemal Özgürsel (b. 1955)

    Composer born in Cihangir village who founded the GAZİ-SET Orchestra in 1980. Works include Dillirga, Feslikan and Gel Kardeşim Kıbrıs'a, and the albums Canım Kıbrısım and Salamis.

    Source: i-rep.emu.edu.tr

  • flautist and composer

    Burak Beşir

    Cyprus-born flautist and composer. His flute-piano album Passion (Albany Records, June 2017) received a Global Music Awards Silver Outstanding Achievement award. Performed at the 86th Oscar Concert at UCLA Royce Hall in 2014.

    Source: albanyrecords.com

  • pianist and composer

    Mirana Faiz

    Pianist and contemporary classical composer. Holds a Master's in Piano Performance from Leeds Conservatoire (2017). Debut album DREAMS was recorded at Abbey Road Studios; Whispers of the Journey was nominated at the 2024 Hollywood Independent Music Awards.

    Source: pio.mfa.gov.ct.tr

  • French horn player

    Turgay Hilmi

    Turkish Cypriot French horn player born in Cyprus. Former member of the Staatstheater Nürnberg, associate professor of music at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and general manager of the Cyprus Art Music and Ballet School.

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • singer

    Begüm Tekakpınar

    Singer who represented the TRNC at the 3rd Meykin International Music Competition in Kyrgyzstan, where she shared first prize in August 2023.

    Source: pio.mfa.gov.ct.tr

  • singer · Turkish Cypriot descent

    Işın Karaca (b. 1973)

    Singer of Turkish Cypriot origin, born in London. Worked as a backing vocalist for Sezen Aksu until 2001. Albums include Anadilim Aşk (2001), Başka 33/3 (2006) and Ey Aşkın Güzel Kızı (2015).

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • DJ and producer · Turkish Cypriot descent

    Erol Alkan (b. 1974)

    English DJ, producer and musician of Turkish Cypriot descent, born in London. Releases include the mix albums Trash Companion #1 (2001) and FabricLive.77 (2014), and The Soft Bounce (2016) with Richard Norris as Beyond The Wizard's Sleeve.

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • conductor and composer · Turkish Cypriot descent

    Tolga Kashif (b. 1962)

    British-born conductor, composer and arranger of Turkish Cypriot descent. Composed and conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's Queen Symphony (2002) and composed The Genesis Suite (2010), premiered with the London Symphony Orchestra.

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • singer-songwriter · Turkish Cypriot descent

    Genco Ecer (b. 1985)

    Singer-songwriter born in Ankara and described by Wikipedia as a Turkish Cypriot singer. Debut album Kandıramazsın (2009); singles include U Dönüşü (2009) and Yalvarırım (2011).

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • band · Turkish Cypriot descent

    Babutsa

    British–Turkish Cypriot band active from 2009, with members Peri Aziz, Ali Sönmez and Soner Türsoy. Albums: London Calling (2009), which includes Yanayım, and Tabi Güzelim (2010).

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

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Theatre and cinema. AI visual concept
AI visual concept

Theatre and cinema

According to the TRNC Public Information Office, the first Turkish Cypriot theatre, "First Stage" (İlk Sahne), was founded in 1963 and became the Turkish Cypriot State Theatre in 1966. Gülfem Alta's 2019 Near East University master's thesis names its founders and the directors who followed.

Cyprus International University reports that the Nicosia Municipal Theatre was established in 1980; at a 2022 student event Yaşar Ersoy said that Western-style theatre in Cyprus began in 1908, with traditional Turkish theatre before it, and in January 2026 he gave a seminar at ARUCAD on the history of the movement. For Karagöz shadow theatre and the State Theatre as an institution, see Turkish Cypriot culture and traditions.

In cinema, the cards rely on university profiles and a film festival listing; filmographies and awards are given as those sources state them. Entries marked "Turkish Cypriot descent" describe people who were born elsewhere and whom the cited source describes as of Turkish Cypriot descent; entries without that mark give a birthplace on the island or a documented Turkish Cypriot theatre role.

  • playwright and operetta writer

    Nazım Ali İleri (1897–1977)

    Bozkurt writes that İleri wrote seven operettas. Gülfem Alta's 2019 Near East University thesis says he wrote and staged many works on the place of women and wrote the first examples of opera.

    Source: docs.neu.edu.tr

  • theatre director and playwright

    Üner Ulutuğ (1938–1978)

    Alta's thesis records that Ulutuğ graduated from the theatre department of the Ankara State Conservatory in 1962, co-founded İlk Sahne in February 1963 with Kemal Tunç, Hatice Söğüt, Biler Demircioğlu and Yücel Köseoğlu, and directed it from 1963 to 1968. Bozkurt lists him among Turkish Cypriot playwrights.

    Source: docs.neu.edu.tr

  • theatre director

    Hilmi Özen

    Alta's thesis names Hilmi Özen as a former General Manager of the State Theatres and records that he directed the theatre in 1968–70 and again from 1973 to 1990.

    Source: docs.neu.edu.tr

  • playwright, director and actor

    Yaşar Ersoy (b. 1951)

    Cyprus International University (29 December 2022) names Ersoy as one of three founders of the Nicosia Municipal Theatre, and ARUCAD (15 January 2026) introduces him as a theatre writer, director and actor who gave a talk on the history of the Turkish Cypriot theatre movement. Bozkurt lists him among writers of cultural research on theatre.

    Source: aday.ciu.edu.tr

  • actor

    Erol Refikoğlu

    Cyprus International University (29 December 2022) names Refikoğlu as one of three founders of the Nicosia Municipal Theatre and reports that he spoke to students about how the roles he performed affected his daily life.

    Source: aday.ciu.edu.tr

  • actor

    Osman Alkaş

    Cyprus International University (29 December 2022) names Alkaş as one of three founders of the Nicosia Municipal Theatre and reports him saying the founders published a one-page manifesto in 1980, drawing on traditional Turkish theatre and modern techniques to stage the lives of Turkish Cypriots.

    Source: aday.ciu.edu.tr

  • film director, screenwriter and novelist

    Derviş Zaim (b. 1964)

    Üsküdar University's profile lists his films from "Tabutta Rövaşata" (1996) to "Tavuri" (2023) and says his novel "Ares Harikalar Diyarında" won the Yunus Nadi Award in 1994. The Boston Turkish Film Festival lists awards including the UNESCO Award at the 2003 Venice Film Festival for "Çamur" (Mud).

    Source: ifig.uskudar.edu.tr

  • film director and producer

    Tamer Garip

    Near East University's staff page lists Garip as director, writer and producer of "Code Name: Venus" (2012) and "Dr. Dilara" (2016), and as the founder of the university's Filmmaking and Broadcasting Department.

    Source: filmmaking.neu.edu.tr

  • actor · Gazimağusa (Famagusta)

    Hal Özsan (b. 1976)

    Actor, musician, screenwriter and producer born in Famagusta in 1976. Screen credits include Dawson's Creek (2001–2003), Kyle XY (2009), 90210 (2010–2011) and Jessica Jones (2018).

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • actor · Lefkoşa

    Hüseyin Köroğlu (b. 1964)

    Theatre, film and television actor born on 18 June 1964. Credits include the series Baba Evi (1997) and Tatlı Hayat (2001) and the film Görev Kıbrıs (2008), in which he played Derviş.

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • actor · Lefkoşa

    Berkay Tulumbacı (b. 1991)

    Theatre and television actor born on 8 June 1991 in Lefkoşa. Listed credits include the series Kara Ekmek (2015) and Bizden Olur mu? (2022), the film Bursa Bülbülü (2023) and Güldür Güldür Show (2019–2025).

    Source: biyografiler.com

  • actress · Lefkoşa

    Hazar Ergüçlü (b. 1992)

    Film and television actress born on 1 January 1992. Credits include the film Gölgeler ve Suretler (2010), the series Medcezir (2013–2014) and the film Ahlat Ağacı (2018).

    Source: biyografiler.com

  • actress · Lefkoşa

    Feri Cansel (1944–1983)

    Turkish Cypriot actress born in Lefkoşa on 7 July 1944. She appeared in her first film in 1964 and in 136 films over an 18-year career, including Kendin Pişir Kendin Ye (1978).

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • actor · Lefkoşa

    Ali Düşenkalkar (b. 1961)

    Theatre, film and television actor and director, born in 1961. A 1983 theatre graduate of Mimar Sinan University, his credits include Hanımın Çiftliği (2009–2011), Gönül Dağı (2020–2024) and the film Malazgirt 1071 (2022).

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • actress · Girne (Kyrenia)

    İnci Pars Özgürgün (b. 1980)

    Film and television actress born in Girne on 1 January 1980. Her listed credits include the series Kurtlar Vadisi (2003), the film Kirpi (2008) and the film Görümce (2016).

    Source: biyografiler.com

  • actress

    Mine Teber (b. 1961)

    Actress born on 29 July 1961, described by Wikipedia as Turkish Cypriot. Credits include the series Bizimkiler (1989–2002) and Geniş Aile (2009–2011) and the film Ayla: The Daughter of War (2017).

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • filmmaker · Lefkoşa

    Ferhat Atik (b. 1971)

    Turkish Cypriot filmmaker, scenario writer and novelist born on 11 August 1971 in Nicosia. His novel Autumn (2006) was adapted as the feature film Key, released in March 2012.

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • actress · Lefkoşa

    Ilkay Silk (b. 1947 or 1948)

    Cypriot-born British and Canadian actress, playwright and producer born in Nicosia. She was Director of Drama at St. Thomas University (1978–2014) and appeared in the film Queen of the Andes (2021).

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • playwright · Lefkoşa

    Aliye Ummanel

    Poet, playwright and director; dramaturge and director at the Nicosia Turkish Municipal Theatre since 2004 and its Artistic Director 2017–2021. She wrote and directed Bir İhtimal Kabare, staged in Istanbul in September 2026.

    Source: goethe.de

  • actor · Turkish Cypriot descent

    Zeki Alasya (1943–2015)

    Actor and film director born in Istanbul on 18 April 1943, described by Wikipedia as of Turkish Cypriot descent. Acting credits include Salak Milyoner (1974) and Hasip ile Nasip (1976); he began directing in 1977. He died in 2015.

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • actress · Turkish Cypriot descent

    Aslı Enver (b. 1984)

    Actress born on 10 May 1984, described by Wikipedia as a British-born Turkish Cypriot actress. Credits include Kavak Yelleri (2007–2011), İstanbullu Gelin (2017–2019) and Babil (2020).

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • actress · Turkish Cypriot descent

    Zümrüt Cansel (b. 1963)

    Actress born on 23 March 1963 in London, described by Wikipedia as a British-born Turkish Cypriot actress. Listed films include Hababam Sınıfı Dokuz Doğuruyor (1978), Bir Sevgi İstiyorum (1984) and Aldanış (1993).

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • television and film director · Turkish Cypriot descent

    Metin Hüseyin (b. 1959)

    British television director born in 1959, described as of Turkish-Cypriot descent. Directing credits include Shameless (2010–2011), Outlander (2015–2016) and American Gods (2021).

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • actor · Turkish Cypriot descent

    Mem Ferda (b. 1963)

    British actor and film producer born on 30 October 1963, described as of Turkish Cypriot descent. Credits include The Devil's Double (2011), Ill Manors (2012) and London Heist (2017).

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

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Practical notes

  • Sources disagree on some dates: Salderay gives İsmet Vehit Güney's years as 1923–2009, while the Middle East Institute gives 1932–2009; Salderay gives Cevdet Çağdaş's death as 2019, the Middle East Institute as 2009. Cards show only the years the sources share.
  • Birth years marked "b." come from papers published in 2021 and earlier, which list these people as living; their status has not been rechecked for this page.
  • Period names such as "localisation", "74 Kuşağı" or "nationalist line" are the classifications of Bozkurt and Turan, not of NORTHEA.
  • No consolidated online list of TRNC state culture and art awards was found; awards appear only where a named source states them.
  • The order of cards follows the sources' chronology and is not a ranking. People primarily known as politicians, and private individuals, are not listed.
  • Entries for living actors, directors and singers give professional career facts only, as the cited sources state them. Birth years marked "b." come from the named source; filmographies are partial and not a ranking.

Frequently asked questions

Who are notable Turkish Cypriot poets?

Literary historian İsmail Bozkurt (2021) names poets such as Nazif Süleyman Ebeoğlu, Nevzat Yalçın, Osman Türkay, Özker Yaşın, Pembe Marmara, Mehmet Kansu and Fikret Demirağ, and the "74 Kuşağı" of Hakkı Yücel, Mehmet Yaşın and Neşe Yaşın. Metin Turan also names Neriman Cahit and Faize Özdemirciler.

What was the first Turkish Cypriot novel?

According to İsmail Bozkurt, the first novel of Turkish Cypriot literature is "Yâdigâr-ı Muhabbet" by Kaytazzade Mehmet Nâzım, serialised from 1894 and published as a book in 1896.

Was Osman Türkay nominated for the Nobel Prize?

Bozkurt (2021) writes that Osman Türkay (1927–2001) was twice nominated for the Nobel Prize and that his books were translated into many languages. Metin Turan notes that he settled in England and that English poetry influenced his work.

Who was the first Turkish Cypriot painter?

Bülent Salderay identifies Olga Rauf (1893–1987) as the first painter in Turkish Cypriot painting. The Middle East Institute (2009) names Mehmet Necati, Hasan Öztürk and Cevdet Çağdaş among the first Turkish Cypriot artists to exhibit, and dates the first solo exhibition to İsmet V. Güney in 1947.

Who designed the flag of the Republic of Cyprus?

At a 2019 Near East University exhibition, Rector Ümit Hassan said Turkish Cypriot artist İsmet Vehit Güney designed the flag of the 1960 Republic of Cyprus. Politis (2026) reports that painter Emin Çizenel designed the TRNC flag in 1983.

Who was Kamran Aziz?

T-Vine (2017) describes Kamran Aziz (1922–2017) as the first female composer in Turkish Cypriot history, whose songs include "Kıbrıs'ım" and "Kıbrıs Zeybeği". It reports that the TRNC Parliament's Cultural Committee gave her a special award in February 2008.

Who is Rüya Taner?

Habertürk (2020) describes Rüya Taner as a pianist and TRNC State Artist trained at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama, with first prizes including the National Mozart Competition. TAK reported a recital by her in Cairo in November 2025.

When was the Turkish Cypriot State Theatre founded?

The TRNC Public Information Office says the first Turkish Cypriot theatre, "First Stage", was founded in 1963 and became the Turkish Cypriot State Theatre in 1966. A 2019 Near East University thesis names Üner Ulutuğ, Kemal Tunç, Hatice Söğüt, Biler Demircioğlu and Yücel Köseoğlu as founders.

Who founded the Nicosia Municipal Theatre?

Cyprus International University (2022) names Yaşar Ersoy, Erol Refikoğlu and Osman Alkaş as three of the founders of the Nicosia Municipal Theatre, established in 1980.

Which films has Derviş Zaim made?

Üsküdar University lists films including "Tabutta Rövaşata" (1996), "Filler ve Çimen" (2000), "Çamur" (2003), "Nokta" (2009), "Gölgeler ve Suretler" (2010) and "Tavuri" (2023). The [Boston Turkish Film Festival](https://bostonturkishfilmfestival.org/the-films-of-dervis-zaim) notes the UNESCO Award at Venice in 2003 for "Çamur".

Which Turkish Cypriot actors, directors and singers does this page list?

As of 27 October 2026, the cinema and music cards name actors and directors including Derviş Zaim, Hal Özsan, Ali Düşenkalkar, Osman Alkaş and Hazar Ergüçlü, and singers and musicians including Buray, Ziynet Sali, Fikri Karayel and Oytun Ersan. Each card gives the source for the birthplace and works.

What does "Turkish Cypriot descent" mean on this page?

As of 27 October 2026, a card names a birthplace only when the cited source states it. "Turkish Cypriot descent" marks people whom a source describes that way but who were born elsewhere, such as London or Istanbul. The page does not state anyone's citizenship or residence.

Sources

Questions about North Cyprus?

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