The Colombian Coffee Festival, organized for the first time this year by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and the Colombian Embassy, witnessed colorful scenes. The Colombian Friendship Mural, made by Colombian artists, was also opened at the festival, where the people of Izmir had the opportunity to experience Colombian coffee.
Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç SoyerIn line with the goal of Izmir to strengthen its cultural ties with the world, the activities held in the city are increasing. The Colombian Coffee Festival, which was held for the first time in July 15 Democracy Martyrs Square (Quarantine Square) with the cooperation of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and Colombian Embassy, started with colorful images. İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Mustafa Özuslu, Colombia's Ambassador to Ankara Julio Anibal Riano Velandia, Colombian Honorary Consul in İzmir Eli Alharal and many citizens attended the event where the opening of the Colombian Friendship Mural called “Dance of Hope” performed by the “Vertigo Graffiti” group formed by Colombian artists was also held. joined.
Participants of the festival had the opportunity to experience traditional, Turkish and Colombian coffee, as well as hot and cold coffee varieties. The festival ended with a Latin dance show and Ibis Maria concert.
“The ties established here connect cities and countries to each other”
Speaking at the opening of the event, which not only strengthens cultural ties, but also increases cooperation opportunities, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Mustafa Özuslu said, “There is a saying in our beautiful Turkish, 'A cup of coffee has 40 years of memory'. There's a lot of cups and a lot of coffee here. This festival is of great importance in terms of Colombian-Turkish friendship. The homeland of coffee is Colombia, but one of the important countries where it is consumed is Turkey. We will increase the friendship and brotherhood with the cities of Colombia with such festivals. The ties established here actually connect cities, people and countries to each other," he said.
“The meeting of art and culture”
Colombia's Ambassador to Ankara Julio Anibal Riano Velandia said that these events have a special importance due to the spirit of brotherhood they carry and said, “This festival is the meeting of art and culture in order to reinforce the closeness between Colombia and Turkey. Coffee is one of our important symbols. For both Turks and Colombians, coffee is part of our cultural heritage. Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç SoyerI thank him for leading this festival”.
Eli Alharal, Honorary Consul of Colombia in Izmir, said, “We know that the people of both countries can get together much more with such cultural activities, and that their economic cooperation will increase at the same time.”
Mural work attracted attention
In the mural work in the Quarantine Square, there is a dancing woman on one of the walls and a male figure on the other. One of the works made on the two surfaces of the wall will remain on the stage wall in the square. Since the work on the other surface is made on the surface coating material applied to the wall, after the exhibition period ends, it will be moved to one of the metro or İZBAN stations to be exhibited permanently.
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