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The seventh Cappadocia Balloon Festival started yesterday, July 30, in Nevsehir, bringing together 30 hot air balloons of various shapes from Türkiye and nine other countries for a series of show flights over the region.
Balloon teams from Türkiye, the United States, France, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Brazil, Slovakia, Austria, and Poland took part in the event, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
A clown-shaped balloon was among the figures that flew over Goreme at sunrise, part of a lineup that also included owl, wolf, duck, parrot, and rocket designs.
The colourful balloons were inflated and launched from the festival site as spectators gathered along the surrounding viewing areas.
A whale-shaped balloon, designed by sixth-grade student Bengi Serra Kaya, flew for the first time at the festival after winning the "Balloon Design of My Dreams" competition held among local schoolchildren.
The uniquely designed balloons floated above the valley in sequence, offering visitors a sweeping view of the festival from below.
Local and foreign visitors arrived at the festival grounds before sunrise to view the balloons, with many photographing the flight as it passed over the region's fairy chimney formations.
Speaking to reporters, Nevsehir Governor Huseyin Kok said the region has 359 hot air balloons operated by 30 companies, and that roughly 316,000 tourists took part in balloon tours between January and July of this year.
According to festival organizers, the event will run through August 2, with balloon flights continuing each morning weather permitting.
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