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Kirklareli, a province in Turkiye's Thrace region near the Bulgarian border, hosts the 17th Kirklareli Highland, Abundance and Harvest Festival this week, celebrating the area's centuries-old farming and winemaking traditions.
Provincial officials, local leaders and residents gather for five days of ceremonies, folk performances and harvest rituals across the city, culminating in a grape-pressing tradition that marks the turn of the season.
The festival continues through Sunday.
The festival opens with a procession from Sevket Dingiloglu Park to the celebration grounds in Kirklareli's Yayla neighborhood.
Provincial Governor Ugur Turan, Mayor Derya Bulut, Chief Public Prosecutor Levent Ozkan Taskoparan, MHP provincial chair Saban Savasan and City Council President Abdullah Mutluer walk alongside residents, while acrobatic performers accompany the march.
The procession sets a festive tone for the days of ceremonies and harvest traditions that follow.
After the procession, Governor Turan addresses the crowd, describing agriculture and viticulture in the region as more than economic activity and framing them as traditions passed down through labor and patience.
Mayor Bulut notes the steady rise in grape production in the city and highlights the value of community gatherings like this one. City Council President Mutluer adds that the festival keeps local heritage alive for younger generations.
A folk dance troupe takes the stage, performing traditional routines that draw applause from the gathered crowd.
During the performance, a woman experiences a fainting spell and is taken by ambulance to Kirklareli Training and Research Hospital for treatment.
The festivities continue as attendees watch the remainder of the program from the festival grounds.
Grapes collected in a wooden cauldron mounted on a horse-drawn cart are pressed into fresh juice, reviving a harvest custom tied to the region's viticulture heritage.
The ritual draws close attention from the crowd, many of whom document the process on their phones.
The tradition marks one of the festival's central moments, linking the celebration directly to the season's grape harvest.
After the grape-pressing ritual, organizers present awards to the winners of a grape-growing competition, recognizing local producers for this season's harvests.
The recognition closes the day's program before festivities conclude on Sunday.
The festival's final events are expected to draw additional visitors from across the province.
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