3. International Keremköy Festival was held.

The 3rd International Keremköy Festival, organized with the contributions of the Mayor of Gömeç Municipality, Melih Bağcı, and the Mayor of Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality, Ahmet Akın, took place. The festival held in Gömeç Keremköy started with a parade accompanied by a band. Mayor Bağcı delivered the opening speech in the village square. Mayor Bağcı stated, ‘As someone who knows the story and history of Keremköy village well, I can say that this village is truly a place where democracy, peace, and freedom are internalized. Everyone living in this village is a democrat, everyone living in this village is enlightened. Therefore, I welcome you all with my belief in hope, peace, Turkey’s bright tomorrows, and democracy.’ Mayor Bağcı expressed his gratitude to all his colleagues who work and contribute for the people of Gömeç. He thanked everyone involved in the festival. Bağcı concluded by saying, ‘We believe that we have done a valuable work. We will reap the fruits of this work. Once again, I greet everyone here with feelings as beautiful as Keremköy, Gömeç, the Aegean Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea.’ The events began with a presentation by Zeynep Eres Özdoğan, the President of the Chamber of Architects of Turkey. Then, there were booth visits and traditional keşkek serving. Workshops held simultaneously with the events attracted the visitors’ attention. Various workshops such as bread making, production of Balıkesir cologne, perfume, and candle making continued throughout the night. On the first day of the festival, children enjoyed and danced with the circus show on stage and the concert of Ayvalık’s Zeytin Çekirdekleri. The first day of the festival ended with a performance by the Municipal Conservatory of Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality. The stage performances were welcomed with great interest from the audience of all ages who participated from different districts. On the second day of our Keremköy Festival, Prof. Dr. Abdullah Soykan, Prof. Dr. Kenan Mortan, Prof. Dr. Kemal Arı, and politician and writer Kemal Anadol met with the audience. In the 2nd Panel Discussion held on village architecture and planning, the conversation led by the Mayor of Maltepe, Istanbul, Esin Köymen, the Secretary General of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Oktay Kargül, and Prof. Dr. Mehmet Rıfat Akbulut received great attention from the listeners.