Mut Apricot Culture and Art Festival will start on May 24th.

The 62nd Apricot Culture and Art Festival in Mut district of Mersin will be held between 24-26 May this year. Providing information about the festival, Mayor Murat Orhan stated, ‘Our Mut Karacaoğlan Culture and Art Festival, which we will celebrate the 62nd edition this year, will start on 24-26 May. Our district, which is located on the southern slopes of the Taurus Mountains in the garden paradise of the Mediterranean region, has a completely microclimate feature. Our economy is already based on agriculture as 95% of our people are dependent on agriculture. Therefore, we will organize the 62nd edition of our festival this year to promote the apricot, which is one of our main products, both in our country and abroad.’ Orhan mentioned that the opening of the festival will take place at Historical Çınaraltı Park on Friday, 24th of May at 14.00, with folk dances as usual. Following the opening, there will be protocol speeches. Additionally, classic apricot eating contest and dropping apricots into the pool activity will be part of our festival. This is not only about apricots but also about culture and art. Karacaoğlan is a very important figure for our district. There will be an event at the Karacaoğlan village, where Karacaoğlan’s grave is located, in memory of Karacaoğlan.’ Orhan also mentioned that concerts will be part of the festival, stating, ‘We will have concerts at our town stadium. On the first evening of the festival, there will be a local Turkish Folk Music artist, Ali Rıza Yılmaz. Following him, Mustafa Taş and then Oğuzhan Koç will perform. On the second day of the festival, there will be a wrestling competition during the day. In the evening, Mehmet Han Toksöz Group, Eypio, and Zara will perform. The third day will start with the final wrestling competition during the day. In addition, awards will be given to the winners in fields such as chess, volleyball, painting exhibition, and wrestling. Unlike previous festivals, a children’s festival will be organized entirely for our children at the town stadium. Clown shows and similar performances will be held. We have a 14-second promotional video for the festival, which will be shown in cities like Istanbul.’ Mayor Murat Orhan invited everyone to the festival, emphasizing the significance of the event by stating that they cover 90% of Turkey’s table apricot production.