Talking with Anna Rothery, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool

Fethiye Times - LOVE-FETHIYE

Fethiye was delighted to welcome the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Anna Rothery when she arrived for a holiday in Ölüdeniz last week.

The Lord Mayor, who was accompanied by Lady Mayoress, Nicola Parry, was met at Dalaman Airport by Fethiye Municipality representatives Yavuz Topateş and Gülçin Gürsoy.

Fethiye Times caught up with the Lord Mayor during her stay.

Making political history

“I’ve been a politician for 14 years and represent Princess Park Ward, an area with a very diverse community. I went on to become Chair of Culture Tourism and Sport in 2010 – 2013 and made political history in 2012 as the first elected member from Liverpool to speak at the United Nations in Genève on Religious, Linguistic and Cultural difference.  

I became the Mayoral Lead 4 Equality three years ago and work with equality groups covering culture, diversity, gender, disability and LGBT.

I made political history as the first woman of colour to be elected as Lord Mayor of Liverpool in 2019 and again when I was re-elected for an unprecedented second year, serving until May 2021″.

Meeting with the Mayor of Fethiye

“Liverpool and Fethiye are both tourism destinations and have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Part of the Liverpool Without Walls program is to support local businesses, encourage creatives to submit ideas and fill the streets with cultural content, very similar to the activities that take place in Fethiye.

We had a productive meeting with the Mayor of Fethiye, Alim Karaca and had the opportunity to discuss the similarities between the cities. There is an opportunity to work together to encourage and increase tourism in both cities in the future”.

A Liverpool fan

“Fethiye Mayor, Alim Karaca has been a Liverpool fan since childhood and still enjoys watching the team. He was very happy with his gift of a Liverpool jersey, which he wore during our paragliding on Wednesday.

We were also delighted with our gifts of a painting of old scenes of Fethiye, a package of local products and hand-woven rugs”.

Taking to the skies

On Wednesday, the two Mayors and Lady Mayoress, a female companion to the Lord Mayor, took to the skies on tandem paragliders from the world famous Babadağ in Ölüdeniz.

The Lord Mayor took the opportunity to fundraise for her chosen charities which, like many others, are struggling for funds due to the pandemic and the inability to carry out fundraising activities.

The charities are:
Anthony Walker Foundation
Amadudu Women’s Refuge
LCR PRIDE
Merseyside Somali Association
If you can help to raise funds please contact Liverpool Town Hall
Email town.hall@liverpool.gov.uk
Or make a donation at:  liverpooltownhall.co.uk/lmca

Holidaying in Fethiye

“Fethiye is still as beautiful as when I first visited, although it has grown in terms of business. We have enjoyed our holiday and found it relaxing and peaceful. On Tuesday we went on a boat trip that allowed us to meditate and think about the things we can do in the future.

More importantly, we have felt safe here in terms of the measures being taken to prevent the spread of the virus. We must all follow the rules and take care of ourselves and our health. When I get back to the UK I will say it is safe to go to Fethiye for a holiday”.

A word from the Fethiye Mayor

Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca said, “Liverpool is one of the most important cities in the world. I was very happy to host my colleague in our municipality. This region is very close to the British and we welcome thousands of British guests here. At the same time, more than 6 thousand resident British citizens reside here with us and the integration of different cultures is very important to us. Our British citizens living here support us in all social responsibility projects carried out by Fethiye Municipality. Together with them, we are doing good projects here.

Liverpool is a place that I care for a lot. It is the city of the Beatles, a group respected by different generations. At the same time, Liverpool is the football team of my childhood, a team that I still watch with great pleasure.

We want to work actively with my esteemed colleague in many social responsibility projects”.

Follow Anna Rothery on social media to receive regular updates.

Facebook: Lord Mayor of Liverpool

Instagram: cllr_anna_rothery

Twitter: @CllrAnnaRothery

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