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The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival is considered one of the world’s oldest continuously held sporting events, with annual competitions taking place in Edirne, Türkiye since the 14th century. The festival features oil wrestling, a traditional Turkish sport where athletes, known as pehlivans, wrestle while covered in olive oil.
In 2025, the festival marks its 664th edition, scheduled to be held between June 30 and July 6, with the main wrestling matches taking place from July 4 to 6 at the historic Sarayici Er Meydani. Recognized by UNESCO in 2010 as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Kirkpinar combines physical competition with deep-rooted cultural rituals, including music, ceremonial processions, and community gatherings.
The festival’s name, Kirkpinar, means "Forty Springs." According to Ottoman legend, after conquering part of Rumelia, Suleyman Pasha and his 40 warriors camped in Samona. To entertain themselves, two brothers began wrestling and continued until they collapsed and died from exhaustion during a rematch on Hidirellez Day (May 6). When their comrades returned, they found 40 springs had appeared around their graves, and the field was named "Kirkpinar" to honor them.
Pesrev: Matches begin with a ceremonial procession where wrestlers line up, slap their thighs, touch the ground, kiss hands and shout "Hayde bre pehlivan!" to start. It symbolizes respect, spiritual readiness, and martial discipline
Oil rituals: Wrestlers anoint each other head-to-toe with olive oil—historically for insect repellent and sun protection—turning matches into slippery tests of technique and endurance .
Attire: Competitors wear leather pants called kispet, often made of water buffalo hide, weighing around 10 kg. The goal is to pin the opponent, tear their kispet, or carry them three steps, all incredibly difficult when slicked in oil
The ultimate title is Baspehlivan (chief wrestler), with the coveted golden belt awarded to a three-time consecutive winner.
Wrestlers like Kel Alico also known as the (Grim Ali), Koca Yusuf also known as the (The Terrible Turk), Ahmet Tasci, Ali Gurbuz and Hamza Yerlikaya are among the sport’s legends
Annual participation ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 wrestlers—Kirkpinar remains the spiritual Olympics of Turkish traditional sports
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