Thousands of people from the Black Sea region gathered in Kocayayla and danced the horon simultaneously.

The 32nd Kadırga Festival, organized this year under the leadership of the Bursa Trabzon Culture and Solidarity Association, took place at Keles Kocayayla, at the foothills of Uludağ, and featured colorful scenes. In the area where 7,300 vehicles entered, thousands of people danced the horon simultaneously at an altitude of 1,200 meters. The festival also hosted beloved artists of Black Sea music, who created a Black Sea storm in Bursa. The festival brought together the Bursa protocol as well.

The Bursa Trabzon Culture and Solidarity Association gathered Black Sea enthusiasts at Kocayayla in Keles, which is the coolest plateau of Bursa in the summer months. Thousands of people from Bursa and surrounding provinces camped at an altitude of 1,200 meters, creating a true Black Sea storm. During the concerts featuring popular Black Sea musicians, thousands of people held hands and danced the horon. The horon line, reaching meters in length, created unique visuals.

25 thousand Black Sea residents stirred up Kocayayla

Expressing that participation in this year’s festival increased even more, Bursa Trabzon Culture and Solidarity Association President Orhan Aygül stated, “Today we are holding the 32nd Kocayayla Kadırga Festival. We have been preparing for this festival for several weeks now. Thank God our Black Sea compatriots have supported us beyond our expectations. Right now, if you drop a needle in Kocayayla, it won’t hit the ground. The air here is beautiful, the greenery is beautiful, and the flag is beautiful. We, Trabzon residents, are having fun in a beautiful atmosphere. As Trabzon residents dance the horon, they release their electricity and energy into the ground and feel relaxed. According to information we received at the entrance, 7,300 vehicles have entered Kocayayla. We estimate that around 25,000 people attended. It was a beautiful festival. We believe we will rank among the top 10 festivals in Turkey in terms of participation. We broke the record; we are competing with ourselves,” he said.

Mustafa Varank, Chairman of the Turkish Grand National Assembly’s Industry, Trade, Energy, Natural Resources, Information, and Technology Commission and AK Party Bursa Deputy, stated that Trabzon residents have made significant contributions to the development of Bursa. “Trabzon associations are civil society organizations that provide important services and contributions to this city. This city is quite cosmopolitan. It has united the colors from all over Turkey within itself and has made significant contributions to Turkey. If you ask who is the city that provides the most contribution to Bursa, the first city that comes to mind is Trabzon, the Black Sea. Because our people are sincere and hardworking. They are devoted to their country and nation. They do not hesitate to serve this country and flag,” he said.

Bursa Governor Mahmut Demirtaş stated that they experienced the beauties of coming together and solidarity in the festival, where the colorful and enthusiastic culture of Trabzon was added to Bursa’s rich cultural mosaic. “I would like to thank the Trabzon Culture and Solidarity Association and everyone who contributed to this beautiful event organized to strengthen our unity and togetherness. I hope this beautiful tradition continues in the coming years,” he said.

Bozbey praised Trabzon residents

In his speech at the program, Bursa Metropolitan Mayor Mustafa Bozbey said, “Trabzon residents came to Bursa years ago after leaving Trabzon. They are now our fellow Bursians. I know them much better because I grew up among Black Sea people. They are very lively people; they are those who get things done. They are such beautiful people that they take care not only of their city or neighborhood but also of their country and fellow citizens everywhere, at all times. We applaud anyone who drives a nail into this country and kiss them on the forehead.”

“Thank you for protecting the environment”

Keles Mayor Ali Doğru thanked the citizens for their environmental sensitivity shown during the festival, saying, “For about 4 weeks, we have been hosting a different association each week. This week, we have indulged in the kemençe, horon, and the Black Sea. I especially thank our Trabzon compatriots for keeping the environment clean and following the rules.”

“It makes your heart flutter”

Zeki Sara, a resident of the Black Sea region, expressed that those longing for their homeland flocked to the festival. “There is an incredible atmosphere in Kocayayla. There is an unbelievable crowd and an incredible enthusiasm here. It makes your heart flutter; it boils inside you involuntarily. We also thank Orhan Aygül, the president of the Bursa Trabzon Culture and Solidarity Association, for providing this environment, this space. We came here as a family, the entire clan. It is said that a total of 7-8 thousand vehicles have entered. You could say all of Bursa has come here,” he said.

“We came this far to dance the horon”

Yunus Sivas pointed out that not only Trabzon residents but all Black Sea people participated in the festival. “I am coming to the Kocayayla Festivals for the second time. This year there is more participation. It is not just Trabzon residents here; there are people from Giresun, Rize, but most of Bursa is here. Hopefully, together with İsmail Türüt, we will break the horon record. We came here to dance. We distanced ourselves a bit from the city noise and the heat. There is warmth here too, but it is cooler than city life,” he said.

The program was attended by Bursa Governor Mahmut Demirtaş, Bursa Metropolitan Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, AK Party Bursa Deputy Mustafa Varank, Keles Mayor Ali Doğru, and representatives of political parties.