.....with ‘The Rhythm of Breath’ on June 26, 2021

By Heidi Trautmann

I followed the invitation of several friends who were volunteering and participating in this year’s antidrug awareness event organized by the Medi Foundation and with the support of the Prime Minister's Anti-Drugs Commission. It was a first for me. The event took place on the roof of the Mahmut Paşa Park House. Youngsters and parents, friends and supporters were asked to join the show of positive activities under the title of ‘The Rhythm of Breath’.

We were entertained with jazz music, dance performance and body percussion - something I have never heard of before. The performers were the Jazz Trio Miray Çakır, Hüseyin Altan, Yaman Zencirci (I know Miray Cakir as a classic violinist, but she is just as good with jazz)¸  the Body Percussion Group with Ayça İnal Abdu, Mehmet Doğu Karaman & Ufuk Tekin; a dance performance with Tuğçe Doygunel and students, a jazz solo with Peri Sualp and as a surprise guest Katie Economidou with her beautiful soprano voice.

At the same time the event was thought as a rehearsal for the big night on 03 July at the same place when all the activities, Medi Foundation is organising and supporting, will be shown and recognised, activities to positively influence body and mind of young people away from addiction, such as those of this first evening plus joga, sports, theatre, then exhibitions from workshops such as visual and ceramic arts, and films and videos. The roof is being prepared with seating and stands. For more information on the foundation’s work please refer to their website and/or facebook site https://www.facebook.com/medifoundation/

I had the opportunity to speak to Ismet Koldas Medi, the President of the Foundation for …Education, Prevention, Support and Recovery from Addiction…for Mental Health and Wellbeing. I learnt that artists, actors and many others are involved to support this initiative.

Here some background information on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking which I find interesting; it was founded in 1987…which is a remarkably long time.

By resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987, the General Assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.

Supported each year by individuals, communities, and various organizations all over the world, this global observance aims to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society.

World Drug Report — 2021

Consisting of five separate booklets, the World Drug Report 2021 provides an in-depth analysis of the global drug markets and paints a comprehensive picture of the measurable effects and potential impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the world drug problem. The report is aimed not only at fostering greater international cooperation to counter the impact of the world drug problem on health, governance and security, but also, with its special focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, at assisting Member States in anticipating and addressing challenges that may arise in the near future.

We shall learn more on 03 July, same place, same time under the sky of Nicosia.