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The 665th Historic Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling event, set to be held in Edirne, is expected to stand out not only as a traditional sports gathering but also as one of the city's strongest cultural and tourism assets, bringing together history, identity and visitor interest.
Edirne Culture and Tourism Director Kemal Soyturk said Kirkpinar was far more than a sporting event, describing it as one of the city's most powerful culture and tourism brands opening Edirne up to the world.
Soyturk said Kirkpinar brings together sport, history and culture, while keeping alive values that have been associated for centuries with courage, moral conduct and virtue in Turkish society.
He underlined that heroism in Turkish culture has never been defined only through physical strength. In early Turkic societies, figures known as "alps" were admired not only for their bravery but also for their honesty, sense of justice and moral stance.
According to Soyturk, this understanding has lived on through the tradition of the "pehlivan," a term used for a traditional wrestler. He said the true pehlivan is not simply the person who defeats an opponent but someone who uses strength with fairness, respects rivals, follows the rules and does not give up moral values.
"Kirkpinar is one of the strongest culture and tourism brands that keeps alive the moral understanding stretching from the alp to the pehlivan and introduces Edirne to the world," Soyturk said.
Soyturk also pointed to the historic role of wrestling lodges, known as training centers where wrestlers were prepared not only physically but also morally.
He said these places were not only about sports training. They also passed down patience, humility, discipline and respect for the master, while the master-apprentice tradition helped carry the Kirkpinar spirit across centuries.
Listed by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, Kirkpinar is regarded as one of the world's most important traditional sports organizations because of its historic depth and cultural richness.
Soyturk said the Ministry of Culture and Tourism continues to support work aimed at protecting this heritage and passing it on to future generations.
The event also plays into Edirne's wider tourism economy.
During Kirkpinar week, the city sees a rise in visitor traffic, creating activity across accommodation, food and beverage, shopping and other local sectors.
Soyturk said visitors coming for Kirkpinar are also encouraged to discover Edirne's historic monuments, museums, cultural heritage and rich cuisine, helping strengthen the city's broader cultural tourism appeal.
With only a short time left before the event, Soyturk said the main goal was to protect this long-standing heritage while increasing its national and international recognition and to carry Edirne to a stronger position in culture and tourism.
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