Yörük-Türkmen Festival Completed Enthusiastically in Muğla

The 17th International Yörük-Türkmen Festival organized this year by Muğla Metropolitan Municipality was held on June 6-7 at Menteşe Düzeyn Location with intense participation. Yörük culture was kept alive through traditional migration procession, academic panel, folk dances, and concerts, with participation from 30 provinces and 15 countries.

Participation From 30 Provinces and 15 Countries

The 17th International Yörük-Türkmen Festival organized by Muğla Metropolitan Municipality this year took place on June 6-7 at Menteşe Düzeyn Location.

The event saw intense participation with representatives from 30 provinces and 15 countries attending. While 80 confederation and federation representatives joined the festival, the organization was arranged with the joint work of 16 Yörük-Türkmen associations active in Muğla.

The Tradition of Food and Drink in Nomadic Culture Explained

This year’s festival was held under the theme "From the Hearth to the Cauldron, From Milk to Food: The Tradition of Food and Drink in Nomadic Culture." On the first day of the event, a traditional Yörük Migration was performed.

Citizens participated in the march with camels, horses, and local costumes. Traditional living culture was introduced in the tents set up in the event area, while various exhibitions and performances also met with visitors.

The festival’s excitement peaked with the Yörük Fire lit at the end of the day.

Yörük-Türkmen Culture Discussed in the Academic Panel

In the panel held as part of the festival, expert academics evaluated the Yörük-Türkmen culture from different aspects. Talks were held about the culture’s historical development, traditions, and its place today.

On the second day of the event, concerts and folk dance performances provided unforgettable moments for attendees. At the program where Sümer Ezgür was on stage, İsmail Uzunoğlu, Nurcan Altınok, Sabri Özdemir, and Yasin Akkaya also gained attention with their performances.

Orhan Akcan: "We Will Continue to Pass Down Yörük Culture to Future Generations"

Orhan Akcan, President of Muğla Yörük Obaları Association, stated that they continue their efforts to keep the Yörük culture alive.

Akcan said, "We are working to sustain Yörük culture in Muğla and to transfer it to future generations. I would like to thank our Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Aras, who supports the preservation of this culture."

Ramazan Kıvrak: "May Our Unity and Togetherness Last"

Ramazan Kıvrak, President of the Anatolian Yörük Türkmen Federation, emphasized that the festival is an important event that strengthens unity and togetherness.

Kıvrak stated, "Our aim is to live brotherly, to keep our state and flag alive. We thank Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Aras, our associations, and everyone present who pioneered organizing this festival. May our unity and togetherness last."

Kamil Ay: "Our Associations Are the Cornerstones of Our Culture"

Kamil Ay, Yörük Türkmen Bey, mentioned the important responsibility that associations hold in preserving the Yörük-Türkmen culture.

Ay said, "Our associations that maintain Yörük-Türkmen culture are our cornerstones. They are also the ones putting the greatest effort in this regard. We must protect and sustain the Turkish essence. I thank everyone who contributed to bringing us together at this beautiful festival and organizing this exemplary festival for Turkey, especially the Metropolitan Municipality Mayor."

İsmail Cengiz: "The Festival Brings the Turkic World Together"

İsmail Cengiz, President of the Eurasian Turkish Associations Federation, stated that the festival contributes to preserving cultural heritage.

Cengiz said, "Our Yörük-Türkmen Festival provides significant contributions to promoting our culture and also shows an example of gratitude. We saw the value given to academicians at this festival. This is extremely valuable as it shows the importance Yörüks place on knowledge. One of the most important features of the festival is that it brings together the Turkic world with Yörüks and Turkmens."

Mayor Aras: "Yörüks and Turkmens Are the Fundamental Values of This Nation"

Ahmet Aras, Chairman of the Coastal Municipalities Union and Mayor of Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, emphasized that Yörük and Turkmen culture is one of the fundamental values of the Turkish nation.

Mayor Aras said, "We Yörüks and Turkmens are among the fundamental values of this nation. Throughout history, we have established great states. Our last state is the Republic of Turkey founded by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. We may have different ideas and political views, but our common goal is to live in unity and togetherness. The most important value this festival demonstrates today is exactly that."

"We Are With Our Associations That Carry Yörük Culture to the Future"

Highlighting the role associations play in preserving Yörük-Türkmen culture, Mayor Aras stated that civil society organizations have an important role in passing cultural heritage to future generations.

Mayor Aras said, "The most important structures that keep this culture alive and carry it to future generations are our associations. They are the ones who will carry our culture, traditions, and the Yörük fire to the future. As the mayor of this city, I will continue to support all of our associations."

The Next Festival Is Planned to Be Held at Seki Highland

Mayor Aras stated that the festival strengthens the spirit of unity and solidarity and noted heavy participation from both domestic and international guests.

Mayor Aras said, "Today, together with our associations, provincial leaders of political parties, and many Yörük and Turkmen citizens coming from both within the country and abroad, we demonstrate a great example of solidarity. As long as we remain united, no force can destroy this nation. Our next goal is to spread our festival all over Muğla. According to our evaluations, we plan to hold the next festival at Seydikemer Seki Highland. May our festival be auspicious and may our unity and togetherness last."

Source: News Center