The US Ambassador to South Cyprus Judith G. Garber visited the 9th Kalkanlı Çakıstes (crushed olive) Festival on Sunday.
Garber who toured the festival was accompanied by the head of KAYDER (Kalkanlı Cooperation and Solidarity Society) Muzaffer Sevim and the Mukhtar of Kalkanlı Kemal Kısaoğlu.
Speaking to BRT, the US Ambassador Judith G Garber congratulated the organisers of the festival, pointing out that Çakıstes or crushed olives had been part of Cypriot culture and cuisine for thousands of years.
Stating that she was happy to be attending the festival before departing from Cyprus, Garber said that the festival organisers had done an excellent job of displaying the area’s traditions.
Underlining the importance of preserving the region’s unique ecosystem and agricultural traditions, the US ambassador said she was sad about the destruction of the Monumental Olive Trees in the big fire that took place in the area in May 2020.