Turkfest

"Showcasing the best of the unique Turkish culture"

In 1967, a treaty/document was signed between both the Turkish and the Australian governments, which allowed many Turkish people the possibility of citizenship on the opposite side of the globe, in a rich and diverse country Australia. Since arriving in 1968, the Turkish immigrants began adapting to the Australian way of life, whilst at the same time displaying their own customs and traditions.

Nowadays, there is evidence of the contribution that Turkish migrants have made on mainstream Australian society through their integration and introduction to their unique culture, particularly to business, arts, society and history.
In 2006, the Ambassador for Turkey requested the Consul-Generals of Sydney and Melbourne to help set up a committee to organise a festival showcasing and promoting Turkish culture to the Australian community as part of the 40th anniversary of Turkish migration and settlement.

Consequently, the Australian Turkish Mutual Alliance came into being, and "TURKFEST" was born. Approximately 10 Australian-Turks volunteered from the community to assist the Consul-General to Sydney with organising the long awaited celebrations.

"Celebrating 40 Years of Turkish Migration and Settlement to Australia"

Now, in 2008 Australia's Turkish community are proud and keen to display their thanks and appreciation in the form of a festival, with the hope of turning it into an annual event. With their identity now more intact, Turkish-Australian or Australian-Turkish citizens can celebrate what it means to be uniquely Australian, yet still maintain their culture, language,customs, traditions and religion.

Both the Turkish and Australian people are well aware of the unique bond and friendship that began on the shores of Gallipoli, where from adversity a mutual respect arose and continues nearly one hundred years today. This event marked the dawn of both countries' sense of nationhood.

"TURKFEST" aims to help maintain, strengthen and further develop this unique friendship by showcasing and sharing the best of Turkish culture with the rest of the Australian community.

"TURKFEST" is a celebration of a kaleidoscope of culture, music, arts and crafts, food, sound, vision and colour making way for a celebration like no other.

The intended venue for "TURKFEST" is at the western side of Circular Quay west (First Fleet Park), the international passenger terminal landing and it's opposing side in front of the restaurant's, all with the magnificent backdrop of Sydney Harbour including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Though the anticipated dates were Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st October 2007, due to emergency construction and repair work being carried out on the venue site by the Maritime Board of NSW we have been forced to postpone "TURKFEST" celebrations to Sunday 12 October 2008.

A mix of international and local artist's (Turkish and Australian) performances are planned. Some examples of what could be on the program are:
*  Cultural, traditional and contemporary dancers
*  Well known pop, contemporary and traditional bands and artists
*  Anatolian Rock bands and singers
*  Ottoman Military Band
*  Plays, traditional and contemporary
*  Whirling Dervishes night show under lights, fireworks and laser lights display plus much, much more will be part of the entertainment.

Major sporting events such as traditional Turkish style wrestling called Yagli Gures (oil wrestling) dating back thousands of years, and the possibility of a Tri Nations football tournament between Australia, New Zealand and Turkish national teams, plus more.

Around the metropolitan areas of Sydney will be arts and crafts exhibitions, photo exhibitions, workshops, symposiums, seminars, concerts, plays and shows.

A group of marquees decorated to resemble the world famous Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi) in Istanbul could be used for a variety of food stall, kids' attractions, novelty shops, memorabilia, arts and crafts, giftware, trade displays, plus much, much more.

A special area will be devoted to an Ottoman/Turkish style coffee house with live entertainment, very much like at the annual coffee festival held at the Rocks but on a larger scale.

In and around the Rocks area there will be street shows, magicians, acrobats, traditional folk & belly dancers, the world famous Nasreddin Hoca (a 14th century Turkish cleric/comedian/philosopher) sitting on his donkey backwards and parading around sharing his world famous proverbs and philosophies with the public.

Throughout history the Turkish people have demonstrated their adaptability. Just as they adapted to the ever changing conditions of the central Asian Steppes they have adapted to Australian conditions also. In many ways they have influenced and they themselves have been influenced by Australia and the Australian way of life.