The opening program in Kahramanmaraş, which hosted the Türkiye Culture Road Festival organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for the first time, was held at Kahramanmaraş Castle. Kahramanmaraş Governor Mükerrem Ünlüer, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Gökhan Yazgı, Kahramanmaraş Mayor Fırat Görgel, Kahramanmaraş Deputies İrfan Karatutlu, Tuba Köksal, Ömer Debgici, Vahit Kirişçi, Mehmet Şahin, Ali Öztunç, Turkey Culture Road Festival General Director Selim Terzi, provincial protocol and many art lovers attended the program.
Governor of Kahramanmaraş, Mükerrem Ünlüer, started his speech by thanking the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, for including the city in the Turkey Culture Road Festival, as it was believed that it would strengthen the morale and hope of Kahramanmaraş, which was struggling to get back on its feet after the February 6 earthquakes. Ünlüer stated that the festival, which was held for the revival of cultural assets damaged in the earthquake and the revival of the cultural and artistic life of the city, is very valuable.
Speaking about the history, literature, art, traditions and gastronomy of Kahramanmaraş, Ünlüer said, “During the festival, the history, cultural values, art, cuisine and traditions of our city will be introduced with different events; these riches of Kahramanmaraş will be presented to our fellow citizens and guests from all over our country.
I believe that this important organization, where culture, art and our common values meet, will make significant contributions to the promotion and cultural life of Kahramanmaraş. “This festival will strengthen the morale, social life and cultural vitality of our city in our recovery process after the earthquake.” he said.
Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gökhan Yazgı, stated that Kahramanmaraş is one of the symbol cities of the love of homeland and the will for independence, with the courage and determination it showed in the most difficult days of the War of Independence, and that the city shaped not only its own history but also the common memory of our nation with its heroism. Expressing his condolences to the citizens who lost their lives in the February 6, 2023 earthquakes, one of the most painful events in our recent history, Yazgı talked about Kahramanmaraş's will to stand up after the earthquake.
Yazgı underlined that Kahramanmaraş was the first city from Turkey to be included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of "Literature" in 2025, and stated that this success is a strong representation of deep-rooted experience on an international scale. Stating that they have strengthened the cultural life in the city, Yazgı said that they are continuing their excavation, restoration and museology works, and in this context, the museums and libraries in the city are again offered to the service of citizens.
Yazgı stated that the culture of Kahramanmaraş continues to live not only in museums and books, but also in the hands of masters, in the words of bards, on tables and in daily life, and said, "With the Turkey Culture Road Festival, we bring this rich cultural heritage to a wider audience and bring a new vitality to the cultural and artistic life of Kahramanmaraş. Because we know that reviving a city is not only about rebuilding its buildings, but also about re-strengthening the memory, culture, art and hope of that city." he said.
Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Gökhan Yazgı stated that one of the best ways to get to know a city is to sit at the table of that city and talked about the unique flavors of Maraş. Stating that they will bring together the rich culinary culture with 52 Taste Points within the scope of the festival, Yazgı said, "In our gastronomy program, hosted by chef Sinem Özler, who is in the Michelin Guide; chef Claudio Chinali, chef Kerem Bilginer, television program presenter and food narrator Sedef İybar, gastronomy writer Ebru Erke, Kahramanmaraş gastronomy expert Sibel Dedeoğlu, food culture researcher Gamze İneceli İpek and gastronomy writer Talip Bayram will discover the flavors of Kahramanmaraş.” he said.
Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fırat Görgel stated that it is a great gain for the city that the Turkish Culture Road Festival is being held for the first time in Kahramanmaraş and talked about the meaning of the opening being held in the Historical Maraş Castle, which was heavily damaged in the February 6 earthquakes and whose restoration works have been completed.
Stating that culture and art, social life and city economy cannot be considered separately from each other, Görgel stated that the Turkish Culture Road Festival is very important in this respect and said, "I believe that this great organization will make significant contributions to the promotion of our city, tourism, tradesmen, economy and social life. While we heal our wounds after the earthquake, we need our people to smile again, our squares to be filled with art, music and culture again. Kahramanmaraş deserves this very much." he said.
After the opening program, protocol members visited the "Living Heritage: Kahramanmaraş" exhibition in Kahramanmaraş Castle.
Turkey's popular artists will meet music lovers for nine days in free concerts to be held within the scope of Kahramanmaraş Culture Road Festival. Kıraç, Alişan, Sefo, Ahmet Şafak, Derya Uluğ, Fatma Turgut, Ebru Yaşar, Merve Özbey and Murat Boz will take the stage in the concert program of the festival.
During the festival, exhibitions, workshops, talks, children's games and activities, FotoMaraton Kahramanmaraş and FotoMaraton Children's programs will meet art lovers all over the city.
Kahramanmaraş Culture Road Festival will continue to host Maraş residents and guests visiting the city with its program extending from the city's historical sites to culture and arts centers until September 20.
