Wow! What an absolute delight to have been a part of Luton Turkfest 2023! With Luton's rich taste and multicultural orientation, most participants, if not all, can say that it was certainly an event worth attending. Folks who came from far and near will testify to the beautiful experience it was. For me, it was most definitely worth the drive.
The beauty of Turkish culture was on full display. And many who were dubious about Turkish delights, went home with satisfied palates galore. Stockwood Park hosted many enthusiastic guests on Sunday, June 18th, and below is why Luton Turkfest 2023 was fun at its finest.
First and foremost, enticing colours were in abundance! Ottoman and Turkish cultures are rich in colourful displays of their heritage, ranging from handicrafts to the popping white and red crescent star flag. The Ebru art, for example, featured at this festival, was splendidly appealing in its aesthetic beauty, even when it was purely handwoven. Hey, not only that, there’s more.
As hinted earlier, Luton Turkfest 2023 boasted the unique presence of Turkish cuisine. Truly, what is a festival without food? Delicious traditional Turkish cuisines such as the döner and gözleme were available for all and sundry. One nibble of as a meze or a meal was immensely satisfying. And that makes the Ottoman culture all the more wonderous to all who came for the event.
I may add that special regard was accorded to the children at the event. Consequently, they added glamour and colour, unique to the activities. The children brought so much energy as they were super happy to participate in different game tracks. Perhaps the most intriguing children display, for many, was their hymns and angelic singing, performed by a choir trained in the Ziyauddin Gümüşhanevi Mosque by the Luton Turkish Education and Cultural Centre. The music was indeed food to the soul.
Another major highlight of the day was the oil wrestling competition. This was a fascinating source of entertainment for everyone in attendance. Oil wrestling competitions are an ancient or ancestral Turkish sport. And as such, it was only befitting that they were conducted at the festival. Many other Turkish folk games were played as well. And in case you were wondering, not just one entertaining event was presented, many more took place. The theatre shows, for one, were a great time for those who came to experience the rich heritage of the Turks. And it is safe to say that those who watched were not disappointed.
In a world where displacement, concerns and homesickness are the order of the day, Luton Turkfest 2023 was a cultural festival that gave many Turkish folks present a feeling of home away from home. And for non-natives, it was an experience of a lifetime!
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