Festivals and Events
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL – End of June
Because of its unique landscape, Cappadocia is ideal for mountain-biking. With its long-distance dirty roads & topography, you do not have to pedal for kilometers to see something attractive. Every year, at the end of June or July an international mountain bike festival takes action. Whether you are a professional or amateur, you are invited as well.
HACIBEKTAS FESTIVAL – 16 /18 August
Mystic, humanist, philosopher, Saint Haci Bektas Veli, the founder of the influential Bektasi sect of dervishes and the leader of an Islamic philosophy and social class in the 13th century. He had great impact on Anatolian humanism. His teachings become know as Bektasism. Haci Bektas Veli was the one who dedicated himself to the people, the rural society, thus serving as a promoter of Turkish language and literature. During the 3 days festival from 16th to 18th of August, he is recalled at his hometown Hacibektas.
AVANOS INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AND HANDICRAFTS FESTIVAL – Aug 31/ Sep 01
The old city of Avanos (called Venessa in the past) overlooks the longest river of Turkey: the Kizilirmak (Red River). The most famous historical feature of Avanos, which is still relevant and very visible today, is its production of earthenware pottery. The ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories date right back to the Hittites, and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kizilirmak has always been used. The International Tourism and Handicrafts Festival is held in Avanos every year on August 31 – September 1.
WINE FESTIVAL – End of October
The mineral-laden volcanic soil is very fertile and Cappadocia is a prime agricultural region with many fruit orchards and vineyards. Every year in October an International Wine Festival is held in Urgup, the center of a successful wine producing region. Several small wineries in Cappadocia organize this wine tasting event.
GRAPE HARVEST FESTIVAL – Beginning of October
The traditional Urgup Grape Harvest Festival is held every year on 3-5 or 4-6 October. Urgup, is a lively tourist centre and has all the characteristics of the region. Besides this, it is the centre of an important grape and wine producing region of Central Anatolia.
MEVLANA COMMEMORATION CEREMONIES AND FESTIVAL – 10 / 17 December
Mevlana, who is also known as Rumi, was a philosopher and mystic of Islam, but not a Muslim of the orthodox type. His doctrine advocates unlimited tolerance, positive reasoning, goodness, charity and awareness through love. To him and to his disciples all religions are more or less truth. Looking with the same eye on Muslim, Jew and Christian alike, his peaceful and tolerant teaching has appealed to men of all sects and creeds. Every year during 10th and 17th of December in Konya, all the whirling dervishes perform sema which is part of the inspiration of Mevlana as well as of Turkish custom, history, beliefs and culture.
