
Having a deep-rooted history of nearly 700 years and having been shaped by skilled hands and gaining a worldwide reputation, Bursa Knife, organized by Bursa Metropolitan Municipality International Bursa Knife Festival Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, speaking at the opening of the festival, said that Bursa will be Officially a member of the International Association of World Knife Manufacturers Capitals gave good news. Moreover, the unity Bursa will host the meeting to be held in 2027 By announcing this, he opened a historical door for the city's knife-making tradition.
The Heart of Knife Art Beats in Bursa: Festival Details
The 'International Bursa Knife Festival', organized by the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality with the aim of keeping the knife craft, which has an important place in the city's memory, alive, carrying the deep-rooted heritage to the future and introducing it to the world, started at the Atatürk Cultural Center Merinos Campus Fairground. May 23-24-25 The festival, which took place between the dates of , attracted great interest from knife masters, collectors, craftsmen, sector representatives and knife art enthusiasts from all over the world. The festival, where special products shaped by the craftsmen's handiwork were exhibited, Nearly 150 stands While the festival was being established, educational workshops and colourful events were also organised for children and families, ensuring that the festival appealed to visitors of all ages.
As part of the festival, award-winning knife art masters showcase their talents. 'Damascus Chef's Knife Competition' and 'Locked Pocket Knife Competition' It was also held. The jury members, consisting of Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey and his wife Seden Bozbey, as well as valuable names of Turkish and world knife culture, meticulously examined and scored the 17 specially prepared knives. Mayor Bozbey then toured the stands, examined the handcrafted works closely and had pleasant conversations with the masters who keep a century-old profession alive.
The festival opening ceremony was attended by Mayor Mustafa Bozbey and his wife Seden Bozbey, as well as the President of the World Knife Capitals Association and the Mayor of Thiers in France, Stephane Rodier, the Secretary General of the Metropolitan Municipality Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ergül Halisçelik, assistant secretaries, the President of Bursa Knife Makers Chamber Fatih Adliğ, the Chairman of Pirge Bıçak Board of Directors Ömer Pirge, the Metropolitan Municipality administrators and knife art enthusiasts. This broad participation demonstrated the festival's international importance and the support of local stakeholders.
World Knife Capitals Meeting in Bursa in 2027
Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, in his speech, explained that knife making in Türkiye developed in Bursa and that the city has a lot of cultural accumulation in this regard. Emphasizing that Bursa is a city that brings together the skill, experience and fine workmanship of master hands in the steel of the knife, Bozbey stated that the hammer sounds that have echoed in the city's bazaars and workshops for centuries have come to life again in the festival today.
Mayor Bozbey gave the biggest good news with these words: “I would like to proudly share that Bursa has officially become a member of the International World Knife Capitals Association this year. We participated in the meeting held in Argentina last October and introduced our city’s knifemaking heritage to world cities. I would like to give another piece of good news here. In 2027, Bursa will host the International World Knife Manufacturers Capitals Association Meeting. "With this important meeting, the masters of Bursa who continue the deep-rooted knife tradition and the knife masters from all over the world will come together under the same roof. We have the responsibility to revive our deep-rooted culture of knife making in Bursa and pass it on to future generations."
“This Heritage is the Spirit of Bursa”: Emphasis on Cultural Value
Expressing that the festival is not just an organization but also an important step that carries the city's identity to the international level, Mayor Bozbey thanked everyone who shares the knife culture in Bursa and adds value to the festival with their efforts and contributions. He also said that Bursa Metropolitan Municipality not only keeps the knife culture alive but also takes strong steps to carry it into the future.
President Bozbey said, “We proudly opened Bursa Knife Museum We are now making this ancient tradition permanent. We are passing it on to the younger generations and opening a meaningful window to our past shaped by mastery. I invite all Bursa residents to visit our museum and get to know this unique mastery. We also expect companies operating in the tourism sector to include the Knife Museum in their programs. Because this heritage is not just a craft; It is the identity and spirit of our Bursa.He emphasized the place of the Bursa knife in the cultural fabric of the city with his statements.
Stating that they know that Bursa knife makers need a place that will both serve tourism and facilitate their meeting with buyers, Mayor Bozbey added that they will work on this issue at Balibey Inn or one of the inns. Finally, he invited all Bursa residents to the festival and wished that the event would add value to the city.
International Cooperation and the Importance of Knife Cities
President of the World Knife Capitals Association and Mayor of Thiers, France Stephane Rodier, drew attention by giving his speech in Turkish. Rodier, who said that he learned our language in Madrid years ago and loved it very much, reminded that the union held its first meeting in 2016. Rodier, who announced that it was decided in the meeting held in Argentina in 2024 that the 2026 meeting would be held in Portugal, reinforced the good news of Bursa hosting with the following words: “It was decided to be held in Bursa in 2027, hosted by Bursa Metropolitan Municipality. The Turkish delegate in Argentina was very keen to organise the meeting. And they convinced us quite easily. I am sure we will organise very good meetings in Bursa.”
Rodier stated that Bursa's ancient history, strong culture and past-to-present knife mastery are the guarantee of the success of future meetings. He concluded his speech by saying, "I am very happy to be here. In a world where there are so many wars, we must build bridges, understand others and learn from them. Long live Bursa, long live knife cities, long live the World Knife Manufacturers Capitals Association, long live the knife industry“ he concluded. These words carried the message that knife craft can be a bridge for peace and cooperation at the international level.
Bursa Knifemakers Chamber President Fatih Adliğ also expressed their happiness in bringing together a deep-rooted tradition on an international platform and thanked President Mustafa Bozbey and those who contributed. Adliğ said that the festival is a meeting point where thousands of years of craft, labor, mastery and culture are celebrated and emphasized that knives are a part of Bursa's art and identity.
Following the speeches, Mayor Mustafa Bozbey presented Fatih Adliğ and Stéphane Rodier with special Bursa Knives as a gift in memory of the day. This festival and international cooperation are of great importance in terms of bringing Bursa's cultural heritage to the global stage and transferring the craft of knifemaking to future generations.