If you’re aged 18 to 35, of Turkish Cypriot heritage, in London and keen to meet people from your own ethnic background, then Okkupied Events is for you!

In their first post on Instagram on 1 May, Okkupied Events co-founders, Demel Mehmet, 23, and Yasemin, 25, promise parties with “no history lessons, no politics and no teyzes looking for partners for their children.”

They state the new events organisation is “dedicated to bringing the younger Turkish Cypriot community closer together” through an “array of events”, so they can “meet people make friends, expand our networks, [or] find love.”

The planned socials will showcase Turkish Cypriot culture through a range of events “from dinners and dancing and balos and barbeques, to parties and popping bottles and even speed dating and shisha inhaling.”

The organisers’ eye-catching name “Okkupied” was first used by co-founder, and social and political commentator Demel Mehmet for her website Okkupied as a play on the racist terminology used to refer to the ethnic homeland of Turkish Cypriots in North Cyprus. The site featured articles about and by Turkish Cypriots.

Their launch party is taking place at Goals Eltham, in South London, on Saturday 24 September. According to the information on Eventbrite, “One ticket buys you entry to the event, one free alcoholic drink upon arrival, access to the bar, [and] as much food as you can eat from the buffet”.

There will be a live DJ and “the opportunity to mix with fellow Turkish Cypriots for a night of dancing, drinking and socialising.”

Event Details

Title: Okkupied Events Launch Party

Date: Saturday 24 September 2022

Time: 7pm to midnight

Venue: Goals Eltham, Eltham Palace Road, London SE9 5LU

Dress code: smart casual

Admission: this event is strictly an 18+ event and ID will be needed to enter the venue – no ID, no entry

Tickets: tickets are priced £15 per person + £1.76 booking fee, or £12 per person + booking fee for a minimum group purchase of three tickets. Click here to buy from Eventbrite