Turkey Property | Festivals in Turkey

Well over 100 festivals take place in Turkey each year and at times it is challenging to keep abreast with all the events that are regularly staged around the Mediterranean country. From opera to oil wrestling there is never a shortage of occasions for overseas visitors and Turkey property owners to attend.

Istanbul is undoubtedly the epicentre of festivals in Turkey. The Istanbul Culture and Art Foundation plays a big part in organising a series of major dates in Turkey's festival calendar. Istanbul Film Festival, International Istanbul Theatre Festival, International Istanbul Music Festival and International Istanbul Jazz Festival, all draw a big international crowd.

Of all the mainstream shows in Istanbul, the Film Festival gains the most international recognition and attracts Oscar nominees from over the Atlantic. However, it would be wrong to view Istanbul as Turkey's largest city.

Konya, in south central Turkey, plays host to the Mevlana Week and Whirling Dervish Ceremonies every December. The notable Turkish philosopher and poet Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi is commemorated during ten days of festivities (December 7th to 17th) and his life is celebrated with dance.

As the founder of the Whirling Dervishes order he advocated showing tolerance to people of all faiths. Today, the Mevlana Museum in Konya attracts in the region of 10,000 visitors a year and features the Mesnevi compendium and a collection of lyrical poems by Mevlana. The exhibition was opened by the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1951.

The magic of the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival owes much to the setting itself - the 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre can seat between 4,000 to 6,000 spectators and is beautifully illuminated during night-time events. Research conducted by the Independent placed the occasion as the fifth-best opera festival in the world. Some 70 per cent of attendees are international tourists.

Although Turkish wine is too often overlooked, regulars at the International Wine Festival in Urgup, Cappadocia, will be familiar with the produce of several small-scale vineyards. Those who have not discovered the delectable varieties produced in the region may be pleasantly surprised. The local wineries stage the showcase every year in October and holidays to the area can be combined with a trip to the see the unique 'cave cities' that characterise the region.

The range of Turkey's festivals is such that once visitors have had their share of high-brow culture there are always more light-hearted spectacles to keep the entertainment in full flow.

Oil wrestling anyone? To many the idea may sound like a joke, but to the competitors and fans at the 600-year-old Erdine Oil Wrestling festival, this big tournament at the start of June is the FA Cup final of a sport steeped in history.

The wrestlers wear 13 kilogram leather trousers and smother themselves in olive oil in preparation to grapple. Overall winners receive a $100,000 cheque (£50,000) and those skilled enough to be declared champion of Turkey three times in a row are handed a 14 carat gold belt.

It is only possible to scrape the surface of Turkey's multitude of festivals during a standard stay in the country. However, holidaymakers should not be discouraged from planning their trip around one of the many events which pack the Turkish calendar. Turkey property owners have the chance to enjoy these festivals when visiting their property in Turkey.