One of North America’s greatest occasions celebrating Turkish heritage continued for the second day on Saturday, fascinating festival-goers in Chicago with a vibrant show of Turkish cultural heritage, together with conventional crafts, music, and delicacies.
Held on the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, the annual three-day Turkish Festival is now in its second yr. Among the various having fun with the pageant’s colourful ambiance was Tarik Arikan, who attended along with his girlfriend after discovering the occasion on social media.
– Connecting with heritage
The couple had traveled from Canada to attend the pageant, which Arikan stated helped him reconnect along with his Turkish heritage.
“We’ve been together for six years, and instead of traveling to Türkiye for my 30th birthday, we decided to come here,” Arikan stated. “I want to introduce her to the culture (after) being with her for six years now. It’s nice. For my 30th birthday, instead of going to Türkiye, we came here instead, and we saw my dad. It’s like a two-in-one. It was a nice experience.”
Arikan stated he’s significantly impressed by the normal Turkish handicraft cubicles, the place he discovered one-of-a-kind inventive handmade objects. His accomplice was moved by the nice and cozy reception they obtained.
“The atmosphere — everyone is just so welcoming and humbling. It’s very nice here,” she stated.
Proud of the hospitality on show, Arikan added: “It’s the Turkish hospitality. They are always offering us lokum (Turkish delight) and Turkish teas and stuff like that. So, it’s very nice. And she liked the clothing we have for the women.”
– Love for Türkiye
Dressed in a warrior costume impressed by the period of Ertugrul Gazi, a Thirteenth-century determine whose son Osman Gazi based the Ottoman dynasty, Zuhair Ahmet additionally shared his deep appreciation for Turkish tradition.
“I love Türkiye, and I actually lived there last year for three months, and I visited so many times after that, and I just love everything about it,” he stated.
Himself a Muslim, Ahmet highlighted the historic significance of the Ottoman and Seljuk empires in preserving Islamic heritage.
“I’ve nice respect for the Ottoman Empire and the Seljuk Empire and the way they helped protect the Islamic world for therefore lengthy.
“For me, that’s something that I feel like Muslims nowadays don’t value as much. It has a very special place in my heart.”
For Ahmet, Türkiye’s timeless magnificence lies in its artwork.
“Turkish culture by itself is so beautiful, and there are millions of things that you can do… It’s the art that makes Türkiye, as a country itself, so beautiful for so long.”
He stated his solely disappointment was the absence of a workshop devoted to vibrant Iznik ceramic tiles, which hail from northwestern Türkiye. “I love Iznik. I wish there was something like an Iznik workshop. That would be so beautiful.”
– Curiosity and discovery
Another customer, Jessica Guzlas, was additionally drawn to the pageant after seeing ads on-line.
“Quite a few of my friends have traveled to Türkiye, and that made me more curious about the region also,” she stated.
Her curiosity was particularly piqued by Turkish rugs. “Someone had proven me some rugs that have been vintage rugs, and so they stated they’d been handwoven in Türkiye.
“The designs and the handicraft, the work in it, have been unbelievable. So, I assumed, ‘Let me see these artisans. Let me go see what it is about’.
“The costumes that the men and women are wearing are very exciting because I used to do a little bit of modeling before, and I just enjoy fashion. So, it’s been a good time so far.”
She additionally praised the efficiency by the Ottoman navy band, calling it a pageant spotlight: “The band was phenomenal, and the outfits that they are wearing are great, too.”
Anadolu is the worldwide communication accomplice of the pageant, which additionally features a picture exhibit by the Turkish Communications Directorate. The occasion will conclude on Sunday.
Source: www.anews.com.tr