The 15th 'Gezende Plum Festival', which aims to promote Gülnar's geographically indicated product Gezende Plum every year, to support regional producers and to keep local culture alive, was held with great participation and enthusiasm. Organized in cooperation with Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, Gülnar Municipality, Gezende Neighborhood Bardat Plateau and Bardat Market Development Beautification Aid and Culture Association and Gezende Neighborhood Headman's Office, the festival attracted great interest from all ages with its competitions, concerts and colorful events that lasted throughout the day.
The festival was attended by CHP Mersin Deputy Hasan Ufuk Çakır, Gülnar District Governor Yusuf Ziya Yaktı, Gülnar Mayor Fatih Önge, Aydıncık Mayor Özkan Kılıçarpa, Toroslar Mayor Abdurrahman Yıldız, Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Agricultural Services Department Head Selçuk Şahutoğlu, Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Mukhtar Affairs Department Head Erdal Özcan, mukhtars, bureaucrats, business people and the people of Gülnar, as well as many citizens from surrounding districts.
The Most Beautiful Plum Competition and Folk Dances Added Color
The program started with the 'Most Beautiful Plum Competition'. The producers who won first place were Furkan Öz, second place was Ali Doğan and third place was Yakup Karakuş and were presented with organic fertilizer and various household appliances. The dance show of the Mut Municipality Folk Dance Group specific to the Mersin region added a different color to the festival. Various treats and gifts such as plums, crowns and key chains were distributed to the participants by the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Agricultural Services Department personnel.
Messages of Praise and Support for the Festival from Protocol Members
CHP Mersin Deputy Hasan Ufuk Çakır expressed his satisfaction with the organization of the festival for 15 years and thanked Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Vahap Seçer for the services he provided to Gülnar. Gülnar District Governor Yusuf Ziya Yaktı emphasized the importance of the festival in terms of introducing Gülnar's geographically indicated plum and culture, and said that the event strengthened unity and solidarity. Gülnar Mayor Fatih Önge stated that the festival was organized to support producers and expressed their goal of introducing Gezende plum to the whole world. Aydıncık Mayor Özkan Kılıçarpa thanked Mayor Seçer for supporting production and producers, while Toroslar Mayor Abdurrahman Yıldız drew attention to the strategic importance of agricultural production. Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Agricultural Services Department Director Selçuk Şahutoğlu stated that they see agriculture not only as an economic but also a culture, explained the agricultural support provided to the region and touched on the importance of geographically indicated products.
Concerts and Citizens' Enthusiasm
Following the speeches, Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Turkish Music Ensemble and artists Özge Biroğlu and Uğur Önür took the stage and provided enjoyable moments for the participants. The excitement reached its peak with the concert of popular artist Hasan Yılmaz in the final of the festival.
Full Marks from Citizens to the Festival
The citizens who attended the festival expressed their satisfaction with the atmosphere and content of the event. Leyla Bekçi, who attended for the first time, said that the festival was very nice and that she was thinking of coming back next year. Rukiye Çankaya, who attended from Aydıncık, said that she was pleased that the festival was organized in a small and beautiful place and that she wished for more such events. Dilek Ertan, who came from Konya, stated that the festival was very valuable in terms of introducing the culture, while Melih Kafadar, who attended the event with his family, said that it was a source of pride to introduce the Yörük culture and the geographically indicated product. Fatma Yarış, who came from Erdemli with the transportation provided by the Metropolitan Municipality, expressed her satisfaction that agriculture was brought to the forefront as a producer. Plum producer Kezban Topçu explained the developments in Gezende plum cultivation and thanked those who contributed to obtaining the geographical indication. The 15th Gezende Festival was etched into memories as a successful feast in terms of keeping the local culture alive and supporting the producers.
