The Muğla Wedding Cuisine Festival Kicked Off at Arasta: A Henna Ceremony Was Held at the Opening
The 5th Annual Traditional Muğla Wedding Dishes Festival has begun in Menteşe’s historic Arasta. A traditional henna ceremony was held at the opening of the two-day festival; Menteşe District Governor Ali Edip announced that Muğlaspor will play the city’s first night game on Sunday.
This article was translated automatically from Turkish. Türkçe orijinal ›
Menteşe’s historic Arasta was dedicated to Muğla cuisine for two days. The fifth annual Traditional Muğla Wedding Dishes Festival kicked off with official speeches and colorful events. The opening ceremony brought together local producers, civil society organizations, and international guests.
“A meal embodies a community’s shared memory”
Gürkan Tetik, spokesperson for Slow Food Muğla, delivered the opening remarks and highlighted the festival’s role in preserving cultural heritage.
Tetik said, “Today, we are not merely opening a festival. Together, we are building a cultural bridge stretching from the past to the future. Because we know that a meal contains not only ingredients, but also the memories of a family, the solidarity of a neighborhood, and the collective memory of a community,” he said.
Noting that the Slow Food Muğla community champions local seeds, producers, and culinary culture, Tetik said that preserving Arasta’s historic fabric and making Menteşe a city renowned for its gastronomy is a shared responsibility.
Köksal: Intangible heritage must be protected at the UNESCO level
Menteşe Mayor Gonca Köksal emphasized that civil society initiatives and social ownership are decisive in preserving local values.
Köksal said, “No society can live freely if it does not know its past, does not cherish its past, or does not carry the values inherited from the past into the future.” Noting that intangible heritage—such as folk dances, local cuisine, bride-receiving ceremonies, send-offs for soldiers, and weddings—Köksal noted that intangible cultural heritage must also be protected at the UNESCO level. She added that the festival is a joint effort not only of institutions but also of the local community and civil society, and expressed her gratitude to the governor’s office, the metropolitan municipality, and local initiatives.
Good News About Muğlaspor from District Governor Edip
Menteşe District Governor Ali Edip noted that the festival serves as a reminder of values that are often forgotten amid the daily hustle and bustle.
In his speech, Edip also shared some news regarding the city’s sports agenda: “God willing, this Sunday, our Muğlaspor will play its first-ever night game in Muğla’s history. We will host Vanspor in our city this Sunday at 8:00 p.m.”
District Governor Edip added that the Slow Food events have raised significant awareness and that the festival reflects a great deal of effort to preserve Muğla’s traditional and cultural values.
The event continued with a henna ceremony
Following the opening remarks, the festival continued with colorful events, visits to booths, and a traditional henna ceremony. The program will host local and international guests over the course of two days.
