With the initiative of the Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, Dr. Cemil Tugay, the March 21 Spring Festival was celebrated in İzmir for the first time with great enthusiasm. The event, which showcased the cultures of Turkic states, offered participants an unforgettable day filled with traditional music, dance, gastronomy, and many other vibrant activities. Speaking at the celebration program, Mayor Tugay called for peace across the world, stating: “We must ensure that friendship, solidarity, and peace prevail in the world, not hostility or war.”
In line with the promise made by Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay on December 15, World Turkic Language Family Day, the March 21 Spring Festival was joyfully celebrated in İzmir. Organized in cooperation with the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY), the event brought together diverse cultures from Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Held on the second day of Ramadan Bayram, the celebrations were held at Zeytin Sahne, the city’s newly established green event space. Alongside Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay and his spouse Öznur Tugay, attendees included Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Ankara, Dr. Reşad Memmedov, Consul General of Kazakhstan in İzmir, Bauyrzhan Akatayev, Consul General of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in İzmir, Mustafa Davulcu, TÜRKSOY Turkmenistan Representative Lachin Ovezgeldiyeva, representatives of Turkic countries, associations, students, and many residents of İzmir.

The Richness of Turkic Culture Gathered at Kültürpark
At the event area, participating countries and associations set up stands introducing their cultures, offering visitors local delicacies, traditional clothing, promotional brochures, and souvenirs. Prior to the event, Mayor Tugay toured the stands with protocol members, receiving information about cultural values from each country’s representatives. At the Kazakhstan stand, the İzmir March was performed for Mayor Tugay on the traditional Turkish instrument, the dombra. Reflecting the Turkish tradition of sharing and hospitality, cotton candy, İzmir lokma, Kazakh pastries (baursaki), and Uzbek pilaf were distributed. Mayor Tugay also visited the “Timeless Images” exhibition curated by Sıddı Zübeyde Atan Bülbül, expressing admiration for its visual reflections of cultural heritage.

“Everyone Should Celebrate This Festival with Great Enthusiasm”
In his opening speech, Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay delivered an emotional address emphasizing the meaning of the festival: “Throughout my life, I have believed in peace and solidarity. I have believed in the goodness, beauty, and greatness of our nation.” He highlighted efforts to strengthen ties with Turkic republics and communities in the Balkans. “Nowruz has been celebrated by Turkic peoples for thousands of years. Unfortunately, during the Soviet Union period, its celebration was banned, and cultural ties weakened over time. However, Nowruz is a festival that should be celebrated with great enthusiasm and significance. The Turkish people, the people of İzmir, and everyone should celebrate this festival with great joy and ensure it is never forgotten,” he said.

“We May Be Different States, But We Are One Nation”
In his March 21 address, Mayor Tugay called for global peace: “March 21 is the day when night and day are equal. For thousands of years, it has been accepted as the beginning of spring. What could be more beautiful than welcoming spring?” He spoke about the joy of spring and the renewal of nature as a shared human experience. Emphasizing peace as a core value, he referenced Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his words, “Peace at home, peace in the world,” noting that this legacy must be upheld. “We must ensure that friendship, solidarity, and peace prevail in the world,” he said, adding: “We may be different states, but we are one nation. I embrace all members of this nation with love and respect.”

“Each Year, We Will Be Here in Greater Numbers”
Expressing his happiness at celebrating the Spring Festival as the first event held in the newly transformed area from the former amusement park site, Mayor Tugay said: “Today is our first event in this space. I thank all our brothers and sisters who came here. Happy Ramadan Bayram and Nowruz—our double celebration. Every year we will be here, growing bigger and more crowded. We will continue celebrating this festival for years to come. One day, they will say, ‘It started in İzmir in 2026.’ And you have witnessed these days.”

Memmedov: Happy Holiday to Us All
Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Ankara, Dr. Reşad Memmedov, emphasized that Nowruz is a shared festival celebrated for thousands of years: “Today is the day when night and day are equal. From now on, the days will grow longer and warmer. This symbolizes the beginning of a new life. It is a festival of sharing bread, reconciling the estranged, and embracing hospitality. Even though it is being celebrated for the first time in İzmir, I am certain it will continue every year, and we will be here with you. The beauty of this place lies in the unity of generations—our ancestors’ grandchildren are all here together. Happy holiday to each of us.”

Ovezgeldiyeva: Nowruz Is a Shared Value of All Humanity
TÜRKSOY Turkmenistan Representative Lachin Ovezgeldiyeva thanked Mayor Tugay for organizing the meaningful event, emphasizing the importance of preserving and passing on cultural values to future generations. She highlighted that Nowruz symbolizes not only the beginning of a new year according to ancient calendars but also the awakening of nature, renewal of life, peace, and solidarity. “This ancient festival, which has held an important place in the rich culture of the Turkic world for centuries, has passed down the values of friendship, solidarity, and sharing from generation to generation. Nowruz is not only a value of a specific geography but of all humanity. It is one of the strongest expressions of our shared history, deep-rooted traditions, and common identity,” she said.

Iron Was Forged, Wheat Sprouted, Eggs Were Cracked—Spring Has Arrived
Following the opening speeches, TÜRKSOY representatives presented a plaque of appreciation to Mayor Tugay. Mayor Tugay and Ambassador Memmedov welcomed spring through the traditional wheat sprouting ritual known as semeni, and eggs—symbols of abundance—were cracked together. This was followed by the symbolic iron forging ceremony representing the Ergenekon legend, where Mayor Tugay and protocol members passed the hammer hand-to-hand and forged iron together.

Nowruz Fire Lit, Wishes Made
The program continued with the fire-jumping ritual, one of the most important symbols of Nowruz. Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay and guests jumped over the fire—safely prepared under the supervision of the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department—while making wishes. This traditional ritual symbolized the arrival of spring and created joyful moments for participants. Mayor Tugay also met with guests of all ages and took commemorative photos to mark the occasion.

A Musical Feast from Turkic States Marked the Festival
The enthusiasm of the Spring Festival reached its peak with colorful music and dance performances. Student and dance groups from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan delivered unforgettable performances. The event was further enlivened by concerts from Azerbaijani artist Çinare, Uzbek-origin pop singer Şahsenem, and Türkiye’s Tual Group. Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay and his spouse Öznur Tugay joined in the songs, while young attendees added to the festive atmosphere with lively dances.

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