Rihanna to Perform in Northern Cyprus
Fri, Aug 20 2010
By: Nanore Barsoumian
(A.W.) – On Sept. 7, Singer Rihanna is scheduled to perform at the
inauguration of the luxury Fashion Castle Hotel in the town of Kyrenia
in Turkish-occupied Northern Cyprus. Greek Cypriots and sympathizers
have begun a campaign to prevent her performance there.
Rihanna
According to The Vatan, Rihanna is a personal friend of hotel owner
Yilmaz Bektas’ wife, Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza, the winner of Miss
Universe 2006.
Some sources have claimed that Rihanna will be joined by singer Justin
Timberlake in a free concert that will celebrate the construction of
two hotels in Kyrenia. Timberlake will be paid $2 million; Rihanna
will get half that amount.
Last month Jennifer Lopez canceled her performance at the opening of
Cratos hotel, due to pressure and criticism. Her concert was scheduled
for July 24, a few days after the anniversary of the Turkish invasion
of Cyprus. Her publicist was quoted as saying, `Jennifer Lopez would
never knowingly support any state, country, institution or regime that
was associated with any form of human rights abuse.’
Cyprus became divided after the Turkish invasion in 1974. Turkey is
the only country that recognizes the northern portion as Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus.
From: A. Papazian