The traditional Hıdırellez Festival organized by Bursa Metropolitan Municipality celebrated the arrival of spring with great enthusiasm with the participation of thousands of Bursa residents. Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, emphasizing the determination to govern and grow Bursa together by keeping the differences alive, said, “Our greatest wish is a stronger, happier, greener, more livable Bursa.”
Hıdırellez, the harbinger of spring and the symbol of abundance and fertility, was celebrated with various events throughout the day in Bursa. While the artists of the Orchestra Branch Directorate met with the citizens in İznik and Karacabey, the Hıdırellez Festival held in Kültürpark brought together thousands of Bursa residents.
Procession and Colourful Events
The festival began with an enthusiastic procession that started in front of the Atatürk Stadium Library and continued to the Kükürtlü gate of Kültürpark. Bursa residents of all ages developed their manual skills by participating in various workshop activities at the stands set up in the park. Playgrounds prepared for children and a colorful costume contest provided entertaining moments. The traditional Hıdırellez ritual of jumping over fire also added color to the square.
President Bozbey Emphasizes Unity and Solidarity
Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey visited the event area with his wife Seden Bozbey and had a close chat with the citizens. Mayor Bozbey, who planted a sapling in memory of the day, tied his written wish to the wish tree and jumped over the Hıdırellez fire with his wife to share the excitement. Mayor Bozbey, who presented the awards to the winners of the costume contest, emphasized that Hıdırellez is the common heritage of those who have lived in brotherhood on these lands for centuries. Stating that keeping Hıdırellez alive means looking to the future with hope, Mayor Bozbey said, “We will protect the common values of this beautiful geography together. We will continue to manage and grow our beautiful city together by keeping all our differences alive. Hopefully, your wishes will come true. Our biggest wish is a stronger, happier, greener, more livable Bursa. Kültürpark, where we organized the festival, is also the center of Bursa. Many of us have stories here. We started to organize our events here to restore Kültürpark to its former function, and we will continue to do so.”
An Unforgettable Concert from Hüsnü Şenlendirici
The Hıdırellez Festival continued with the magnificent performance of clarinet virtuoso Hüsnü Şenlendirici after the delightful concerts of Aysun Taşçeşme and Bahtiyar Özdemir. Şenlendirici gave the people of Bursa an unforgettable evening with the beautiful melodies he played and sang the beloved songs of famous singers in his own unique style. Şenlendirici, who received great applause from the people of Bursa, expressed his pleasure in being in Bursa. At the end of the concert, Mayor Bozbey presented Hüsnü Şenlendirici with a plaque in memory of the day. This enthusiastic Hıdırellez celebration in Bursa once again demonstrated the tradition of celebrating the arrival of spring with unity and togetherness.
