The 'International Bursa Stork Festival', which will be organized by Bursa Metropolitan Municipality with the participation of Nilüfer, Mustafakemalpaşa and Karacabey municipalities, will start on Saturday, May 31 in the Eskikaraağaç, Fadıllı, Gölyazı, Karaoğlan and Dorak neighborhoods.
Bursa, which is adorned with centuries-old plane trees, endless forests, natural beauties where green meets blue, sun meets lake, has hosted many civilizations throughout history. Bursa, which is kneaded with a culture and history that defies time at the foothills of Uludağ, is a special city that takes its place in the hearts of those who see it once and is engraved in their memories.
Every corner of Bursa is a separate natural treasure, a separate cultural stop. Karacabey Eskikaraağaç, within these unique beauties, is not only Bursa's but also the world's common heritage. Eskikaraağaç and Uluabat Lake surroundings, which continue their existence on the route of birds, in the coolness of the lake, and in the fertility of the soil, are a special living space extending from the past to the present.
Bursa is a special city that sometimes is as fascinating as a fairy tale, sometimes carries the deep traces of experiences; it has a story in every corner, and brings together the past and the present. These lands that make you feel hope and beauty at the same time; have hosted many friendships, many legends and unforgettable memories.
Eskikaraağaç Neighborhood, which was included in the European Stork Villages Network in 2011 with the initiatives of the then Nilüfer Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, draws attention not only with its natural beauties but also with being home to an extraordinary friendship.
This bond, which began 14 years ago when Adem Yılmaz, a fisherman on the shores of Lake Uluabat, offered fish to a stork that landed on his boat, has turned into a friendship that millions of people follow with interest over the years. The stork, which returns to the village after the migration season each year, lands on Adem Yılmaz's boat and greets its friend. For this reason, the stork was given the name "Yaren", which means "friend" and "comrade".
The story of Uncle Adem and the stork Yaren attracted great attention all over Türkiye after wildlife photographer Alper Tüydeş captured these unique moments 9 years ago. Today, this special meeting has become a symbolic meeting that is eagerly awaited every year.
Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey reminded that they initiated the “Stork Friendly Village” project in order to protect the ecological value of Eskikaraağaç with the support of many institutions during his term as Nilüfer Mayor, even though it was not within their area of responsibility, and said that the project will now be continued on a more comprehensive scale.
Bozbey said, “We had started this project, even though it was outside our area of responsibility, in order to draw attention to the ecological value of Eskikaraağaç village and the threats it faces. Now, as the Metropolitan Municipality, we are implementing this important project in a festive atmosphere. We will carry out promotional and investment activities so that our village can attract more visitors. We are planning various facilities and areas for our guests. With the work we will do, we will bring the Stork Village to Bursa in the way it deserves.”
In Bursa, home to endless natural beauties, this year the International Bursa Stork Festival is being organized more comprehensively under the leadership of the Metropolitan Municipality and Bursa City Council, with the participation of the Nilüfer, Mustafakemalpaşa and Karacabey municipalities.
The festival, which will be held between May 31 and June 1, will take place in the neighborhoods of Eskikaraağaç in Karacabey, Fadıllı and Gölyazı in Nilüfer, and Karaoğlan and Dorak in Mustafakemalpaşa, which are on the shores of Lake Uluabat and where storks nest. The festival, which will officially start with the Stork Cortege at 31:18.30 on Saturday, May XNUMX, will continue with events to be held throughout the day.
As part of the events, playgrounds where children can have fun, surprise competitions, a kite festival, storytelling sessions and workshops are organized in 5 neighborhoods, while workshops that people of all ages can participate in, photography exhibitions, trips, shows, concerts, boat tours, talks, nature walks and bicycle tours are also included in the festival.
