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Kirikkale, an industrial province about 80 kilometers (50 miles) east of the Turkish capital Ankara in Türkiye's Central Anatolia region, hosted the sixth annual Traditional Yoruk Turkmen Festival, organized by the Kirikkale Yoruk Turkmen Association.
The event took place at Beylik Meadow in the Asagi Mahmutlar neighborhood of the province's central district. Proceedings opened with a symbolic "migration walk," a moment of silence, the Turkish national anthem and a recitation from the Quran.
Yoruk Turkmens are a historically nomadic Turkic people whose seasonal migrations and pastoral traditions form part of Anatolia's cultural heritage.
Kirikkale Mayor Ahmet Onal addressed the opening, noting the contribution of Yoruk Turkmen communities to the region's identity and traditions. He said the municipality places importance on preserving this heritage and passing it on to future generations.
Provincial Culture and Tourism Director Cemal Ergec said Yoruk Turkmen culture continues to shape values including hospitality and communal life in the present day, describing it as a living tradition rather than solely a historical legacy.
Kirikkale Yoruk Turkmen Association Chairperson Cetin Ozyon said the festival aimed to sustain a centuries-old cultural memory and strengthen a shared sense of continuity between past and present generations among Yoruk Turkmen communities.
Traditional tents representing various Turkic nations were set up at the festival grounds, where visiting delegations from Turkic states presented cultural performances and demonstrations.
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