CRETIANS FROM DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHIES OF THE WORLD MEET IN KUŞADASI

INTERNATIONAL CRETIAN FESTIVAL STARTED IN KUŞADASI

The International Cretans Festival, organized for the 11th time this year by Kuşadası Municipality and Cretans Federation (GIRITFED) in order to keep the Cretan culture alive and pass it on to future generations, started in Kuşadası. The festival, which brings together Cretans living in different geographies of the world, will last for three days with colorful events.

The 11th International Cretans Festival, organized by Kuşadası Municipality and Cretans Federation after 4 years, started with the opening of the 'Cretans Culture, Friendship and Solidarity Association' in Davutlar District. The opening ceremony was attended by Kuşadası Mayor Ömer Günel, Kuşadası Deputy Mayors Oğuzhan Turan and Remzi Çengel, municipal council members, GIRITFED President Yunus Çengel, Mudanya Lausanne Exchanges President Hüseyin Türker, Davutlar District Headman Erol Yağcıoğlu and KESO President Ahmet Çalım, as well as different people from the world and Turkey. Cretans from abroad participated. At the opening, a plaque of appreciation was given to Mayor Ömer Günel by Hüseyin Türker, President of Mudanya Lausanne Exchanges Association.

  'KUŞADASI BECAME THE CENTER OF CRETE ASSOCIATIONS'

Speaking at the opening, GIRITFED President Yunus Çengel stated that he thanked President Ömer Günel for his support in organizing the festival and said, “Today is a very important day for us. Because our association, which was established in 2008, has undertaken very important activities for Cretans. The headquarters of all Cretan associations in Turkey is now Kuşadası. We feel the great honor of this. I would also like to thank Kuşadası Municipality Council member Mustafa Filiz, who supported us in the construction of this center. We could not hold our festival for 4 years due to the pandemic. "We want to organize the next festival in Kuşadası and Crete if we can do the necessary work," he said.

“WE TAKE CARE OF OUR CITY WITHOUT FORGETTING OUR CULTURE”

Kuşadası Mayor Ömer Günel said, “Kuşadası is a tourism city that grows every day. The first main population of Kuşadası were Turks from Crete and Kos Island. Kuşadası's culture was shaped by them. Today, it is very important for us to be able to protect the city we live in and pass it on to our children, without forgetting where we come from and this core culture. I would also like to thank our council member Mustafa Filiz, who contributed to the opening of the Cretans Culture, Friendship and Solidarity Association. "We will do whatever it takes to organize our next festival in both Crete and Kuşadası," he said.

“KUŞADASI'S BEST ROADS WILL BE IN DAVUTLAR”

Providing information about the work carried out by Kuşadası Municipality in Davutlar District, Mayor Ömer Günel said, “We have made very serious investments in Davutlar for 4 years. We have built 141 thousand square meters of new roads in the region so far. We took over the central streets, which are frequently used by the residents of the neighborhood, by taking over the protocol from the Highways Department and covered them with hot asphalt. We will build the roads until the Güzelçamlı exit. We will cover the upper wear layers of the roads where we poured hot asphalt after the holiday. The most beautiful roads of Kuşadası will be in Davutlar District. "After the work we carried out in cooperation with Aydın Metropolitan Municipality, the deficiencies of Davutlar District will be eliminated," he said.

  IT WILL BE THE STAGE OF COLORFUL EVENTS

After the opening of the Cretans Culture, Friendship and Solidarity Association, guests were served Cretan style çullama and kalburabastı and various treats. The 11th International Cretans Festival will continue with various events to be held in Kuşadası city center on June 24 and at Davutlar Sevgi Beach on June 25. At the festival, where local dishes of Crete will be tasted, colorful and entertaining workshops, Cretan music, interviews, photography exhibitions, film and documentary screenings, dance shows and concerts will be organized and Cretan culture will be introduced in every aspect.