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The opening of the Konya Gastronomy Festival, organized for the third time this year by the Konya Metropolitan Municipality, was held with great enthusiasm.

Speaking at the opening of the festival held in Kalehan Ecdad Garden, Konya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay emphasized that Konya is the bearer of a gastro-cultural heritage extending from Çatalhöyük to Seljuk Palaces, from Mevlevi cuisine to the present day.

"TODAY, WE INCREASED THE NUMBER OF GEOGRAPHICALLY INCLUDE PRODUCTS TO 85"

Mayor Altay noted that the gastronomy adventure they launched in 2019 with the participation of renowned chefs, academics, and experts in their fields continues to grow every year. He said, “Today, we've increased the number of products with geographical indications to 85. At the 2021 and 2022 Gastrofests, we've resurfaced both our famous dishes and flavors that have been forgotten and preserved from the past. This festival, which brings together hundreds of thousands of visitors, has become a key stop on Konya's culinary journey. This year, with the third Gastrofest, we're taking this trend even higher.”

"GASTROFEST IS THE STORY THAT TELLS OUR CIVILIZATION THROUGH CULINARY CULTURE"

Mayor Altay continued, "Gastrofest is actually much more than a flavor festival; it's a story that tells the story of our civilization through culinary culture ." He continued, "Our festival, to which 100 tradespeople contribute by opening booths, will shape the world of gastronomy with 60 talks, 40 workshops, four major concerts, and masterful demonstrations by nearly 180 renowned chefs, presenting the ancient flavors of Konya cuisine to hundreds of thousands of visitors. Furthermore, a comprehensive program awaits us, ranging from special events for children and exhibitions to exciting competitions across 12 categories and zero-waste initiatives."

"I WISH YOU A WELCOME ONCE AGAIN TO ALL OUR GUESTS WHO WITNESSED THIS JOURNEY OF TASTE AND CULTURE"

Mayor Altay emphasized that this emerging diversity is the strongest indicator that Konya, a city of history and culture, is also a city of gastronomy and sustainable living. He said, “At the opening of our festival, we will once again witness the power of the table to unite people with special sections such as the Tradition of Adding Salt to Toyga Soup, which keeps our traditions alive; flavors from the Turkic World prepared by our chefs from our heartland; and the Konya Flavor Venue Awards. On this occasion, I once again welcome all our guests who have come from Konya and many other cities across our country to witness this culinary and cultural journey. You have brought us joy.”

"WE SUPPORT OUR TRADESMEN AND MAKE KONYA THE REGION'S CENTER OF ATTRACTION AGAIN"

Mayor Altay, inviting everyone to the festival, which will run until September 7th , said, "As a municipality, we are contributing to the promotion of our city's culture through events like Gastrofest, Science Festival, Book Days, and Historical Bedesten Shopping Days; we are supporting our tradespeople; and we are once again making Konya a regional center of attraction. I would like to express my gratitude to our fellow citizens, tradespeople, and all our guests who have joined us on this journey."

"I INVITE ALL OUR GUESTS COMING TO KONYA TO SUPPORT OUR NATIONAL TEAM TO GASTROFEST"

President Altay reminded everyone that the National Football Team will face Spain in Konya as part of the World Cup Qualifiers on Sunday, September 7th , the last day of the festival. He emphasized, "Konya will also be hosting this national excitement. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all our guests who will come to Konya to support our national team to Gastrofest. Let's experience the excitement of both gastronomy and football together."

"WE HAVE SOME FEATURES THAT DISTINGUISH US FROM OTHER CITIES"

Mayor Altay explained that gastronomy festivals are held in many cities, but Konya has important characteristics that distinguish it from other cities. He said, “We have certain characteristics that distinguish us from other cities. First, our location. This area, Konya's newly developed area, Ecdat Bahçesi, has made a significant contribution to Konya since its inception. We hold similar events here as well. This year, the additional parking lot we built next door has created significant awareness for those attending both our national match and our gastronomy festival. Furthermore, Konya is one of the few settlements that has maintained urban life for 10,000 years. We are organizing this as descendants of a civilization that has carried the gastronomic journey that began with Çatalhöyük, the world's first city, recognized by UNESCO, to the present day.”

“IT IS OUR DUTY TO BRING SUCH A VALUABLE GASTRONOMY NOT ONLY TO Türkiye BUT TO THE WORLD’S CUISINE”

Mayor Altay stated that one of the most important characteristics that distinguishes Konya from other cities is the presence of Ateşbaz-ı Veli, the chef of Rumi and the only chef in the world with a tomb, in Konya. He continued, “We are organizing a festival that embodies the culture of Mevlevi cuisine, from table setting to dining etiquette, developed over centuries. Furthermore, the opportunities created by our Ottoman ancestors and the Republic of Turkey after 1308 have brought forth gastronomy that you won't find in other cities. Therefore, we must remember this with every bite we take and every sip of our drink. It is our duty to bring such valuable gastronomy not only to Turkey but to the world of cuisine.”

"WE ARE HAPPY TO SEE Türkiye'S FAMOUS CHEFS AMONG US"

Mayor Altay emphasized that Turkey's most renowned chefs supported the festival with their talent and dedication, concluding his speech by saying , "I am delighted to have them with us. I extend my sincere gratitude to each and every one of them for their support in promoting Konya's and our country's gastronomy, and especially the culinary culture of the Anatolian capital, to the world."

“THE FESTIVAL IS A LIVE INDICATOR OF CULTURAL SHARING, SUSTAINABILITY AND INSPIRING FUTURE GENERATIONS”

Konya Governor İbrahim Akın expressed his pleasure at being at the 3rd Konya Gastrofest, saying, "First of all, I would like to thank our esteemed Metropolitan Mayor, whose patronage and support made our festival possible, our veteran chefs who came from every corner of our country, our esteemed academics, tradesmen, cultural figures, and all the institutions and volunteers who contributed."

Governor Akın stated that in our culture, the table is not just a place where flavors meet; rather, it's a place that unites hearts and fosters camaraderie. He continued, "This festival, organized with this understanding, carries the same abundance; the deep-rooted heritage of the past meets today's innovative perspective at the same table. Our festival is a living testament to cultural sharing, sustainability, and inspiring future generations. I hope this valuable event will be a blessing for our city, our culture, and our culinary world."

Awards were presented to Konya's most established tradesmen.

Following the speeches, four students representing the graduates of gastronomy departments of universities in Konya were given sashes to continue the Mevlevi tradition.

Later, at the "loyalty" awards ceremony, given for the first time this year, awards were presented to Konya's most established tradesmen in the field of gastronomy.

Finally, after the protocol members added the salt brought from the Tomb of Mevlevi cuisine chef Ateşbaz-ı Veli to the toyga soup, which is the symbol of abundance and prosperity in Turkish cuisine, the stands were toured.

TALKS, WORKSHOPS, CONCERTS, COMPETITIONS, EXHIBITIONS

Within the scope of the Gastronomy Festival, to which 100 tradesmen contributed by opening stands, 60 talks, 40 workshops, 4 major concerts and nearly 180 famous chefs will present the ancient flavors of Konya cuisine to hundreds of thousands of visitors.

The 3rd Konya GastroFest can be visited at Kalehan Ecdad Garden until Sunday, September 7th.