Production, Solidarity, and Entertainment Came Together at the Beşyol Cherry Festival

The Bornova Cherry Festival, organized by Bornova Municipality in Beşyol Neighborhood, attracted great interest with concerts, folk dance performances, children's activities, and the Most Beautiful Cherry Competition. Sharing in the excitement of residents, Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki emphasized that efforts to support agriculture, local production, and environmental protection will continue to expand. In the competition held as part of the festival, Ramazan Kocabıyık won first place, Mustafa Sert came second, and Metin Bahşi placed third.

The traditional Bornova Cherry Festival brought together thousands of residents in Beşyol Neighborhood. One of the most colorful events of the summer season, the festival offered an unforgettable experience with a rich program that appealed to all age groups, featuring concerts, folk dances, children's activities, and award ceremonies.

Throughout the day, the festival highlighted both the region’s agricultural productivity and its cultural heritage. Visitors enjoyed performances by DJ Olcay Fidan, traditional folk dance groups, and a concert by popular artist Gamze Matracı.

Mayor Ömer Eşki, accompanied by his wife Beste Eşki and their son Noyan Volkan, visited producers’ stands, chatted with residents, and joined traditional folk dances during the festival.

Children Enjoyed the Festival Too

Special activity areas were created for children within the festival grounds. Playgrounds, face-painting activities, balloon-twisting shows, clowns, inflatable play structures, as well as complimentary cotton candy and popcorn provided a fun-filled day for young visitors.

The Finest Cherries Competed

One of the most anticipated events of the festival was the Most Beautiful Cherry Competition, where local producers were rewarded for their efforts. Following evaluations conducted by a jury consisting of Senior Agricultural Engineer Dr. Hakan Çakıcı and agricultural engineers, the winners were announced as follows:

• 1st Place: Ramazan Kocabıyık
• 2nd Place: Mustafa Sert
• 3rd Place: Metin Bahşi

The winning producers received prizes including a gasoline-powered cultivator, a motorized spraying machine, and a gasoline-powered chainsaw.

Mayor Eşki: “We Will Continue Supporting Agriculture, Nature, and Producers”

Speaking at the festival, Mayor Ömer Eşki emphasized the importance of preserving Anatolia’s agricultural and cultural richness. He stated that Bornova Municipality continues to implement projects supporting local production and contributes to the promotion of natural and local products through jam festivals, seed exchange events, and community gardens.

Mayor Eşki also noted that the municipality plans to expand its efforts in agriculture, environmental protection, and renewable energy. Stressing that preserving the environment for future generations is a shared responsibility, he invited residents to take part in these efforts. He added that the number of community gardens would be increased and that new projects would be launched to encourage greater participation of women in production activities.

Dr. Çakıcı: “Festivals Keep Local Values Alive”

Senior Agricultural Engineer Dr. Hakan Çakıcı pointed out that producers have faced significant challenges in recent years due to climate change and economic difficulties. He emphasized the importance of agricultural support from both central and local governments and noted that festivals play a vital role in preserving local values and supporting producers.

Recalling that last year’s festival could not be held because of frost damage and adverse weather conditions, Dr. Çakıcı expressed his happiness at seeing cherry orchards full of fruit once again. He explained that the competition jury personally visited and evaluated each participating orchard and wished all producers a productive and prosperous season.

A Festival of Agriculture and Solidarity

In addition to music, entertainment, and cultural activities, the Bornova Cherry Festival highlighted the importance of agricultural production by bringing together producers, residents, and children under one roof. The festival attracted significant attention as an important part of Bornova Municipality’s efforts to support rural development and encourage local production.