Flavor, Panel Discussions and Resistance Come Together in Yakaköy

Bornova Municipality’s 2nd Jam Festival, organized to support local production, traditional flavors and women’s labor, was celebrated with great enthusiasm, attracting thousands of people from across İzmir. From panel discussions and folk dances to concerts and the jam competition, the festival was packed with activities throughout the day. Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki made his mark on the event with his remarks: “Imperialism cannot enter a home where there is jam; capitalism is defeated wherever there is jam.”

Organized by Bornova Municipality at Yakaköy Village Square with a focus on traditional agriculture, local producers and women’s labor, the Jam Festival welcomed thousands of visitors from across İzmir. The festival featured large pots filled with freshly made jam, while producers’ stands added vibrant colors to the event. Artistic activities, stage performances and informative sessions held throughout the day brought entertainment and cultural exchange to a peak.

Experts Discussed Jam: “From Tradition to the Future: Jam” Panel

As part of the festival, an insightful panel titled “From Tradition to the Future: Jam: Gastronomy, Tourism and Sustainability” was held, moderated by Ömer Ulaş Kırım, President of the İzmir Branch of the Chamber of Food Engineers of TMMOB.

Ömer Ulaş Kırım emphasized that jam is not merely a food product but also an important part of a deep-rooted culture, highlighting Bornova Municipality’s efforts to preserve and promote this cultural heritage.

Yaşar University faculty member Prof. Dr. Sabah Balta Ulay described the Jam Festival as a highly important event for agrotourism and shared examples from around the world. Agricultural Engineer Mine Pakkaner reminded participants that small family farmers are the guarantee of agriculture and food security, stating that unnatural products are among the leading causes of cancer and that many of the foods we consume are increasingly becoming harmful to our health.

Expert Dietitian Dicle Dilan Salman discussed sugar consumption in jam from a health perspective, explaining the significant differences between industrially produced and traditionally made jam and emphasizing the importance of proper nutrition.

30 Jams Competed, the Most Delicious Were Selected

One of the most exciting moments of the festival was the “Most Delicious Jam Competition,” in which organic jams prepared by women from Bornova using special recipes passed down through generations competed against one another.

The expert jury was chaired by İzmir journalist, author and culinary researcher Nedim Atilla and consisted of Agricultural Engineers Anıl Ayvaz and Çiğdem Zorlu, Kent Mutfağı Kahramanı Nilgün Erbayraktar, İzmir Kent Mutfağı founder Gökhan Dökmeoğlu, Food Engineers Dr. Derya Saygılı and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahsen Rayman Ergün, and Ömer Ulaş Kırım. The jury carefully evaluated the eight finalists selected from 30 entries. The winners, chosen unanimously, were:

1. Nur Koç – Mastic Gum Jam

2. Belma Bayca – Damson Plum Jam

3. Nazan Can Gülcüoğlu – Apple, Basil and Clove Jam

Jury Special Award: Elif Şekerci – Walnut Jam

The Jam-Making Workshop held during the festival gave participants of all ages, from homemakers to young people, the opportunity to learn the secrets of achieving the right consistency and traditional fruit-preservation techniques.

Mayor Eşki: “Jam Is a Political Act of Resistance Against Capitalism”

Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki, accompanied by his wife Beste Eşki, daughters Asya Tuna and son Noyan Volkan, visited the producers’ stands one by one and joined in making jam in a large cauldron. Following the impressive performance by the Çamdibi Folk Dance Ensemble, Mayor Eşki took the stage and said:

“Unfortunately, the price of jam has now surpassed the price of honey. This has not happened randomly or accidentally; it is a socioeconomic indicator of a political choice. Whether to resist this or not is a matter of choice depending on where politicians stand. I wanted to stand against it. Jam is something our mothers used to cook at home, adding love to it. I do not believe that children who grow up in a neighborhood filled with that aroma will one day become hostile toward their neighbors.

I believe that the reason honey has become cheaper than jam is to disconnect us from our roots, separate us from our bonds, and turn us into isolated individuals in the world—to make us more selfish. Against this, jam is a political act of resistance; for those who remain committed to the nation-state in the face of imperialism, it is a reminder of our own values. Imperialism cannot enter a home where there is jam; capitalism is defeated wherever there is jam! I say: local values at all costs, shared values at all costs. Very soon, we will establish a large fruit orchard. When the trees are in bloom, we will organize a fruit festival and taste those fruits together with our children.”

“A Symbol of Our Neighborly Bonds”

Yakaköy Neighborhood Headman Nedim Sert said in his speech at the festival:

“Jam is not simply fruit and sugar confined to jars; it is a symbol of the fertile lands of our villages, patience, our traditional culture and our bonds of neighborliness.”

He thanked Mayor Eşki and all municipal employees who contributed to the event.

Jury Chair Nedim Atilla stated that although he had served on numerous juries throughout his life, being a member of a jam competition jury carried a particularly significant responsibility. He added that all decisions had been reached through complete agreement and unanimity.

“Mikrop” Show, DJ Olcay Fidan and Unlimited Fun for Children

Famous entertainer Mikrop (Hikmet Durmuş) had thousands of attendees laughing with his distinctive stage energy and interactive competitions. Accompanied by DJ Olcay Fidan’s lively performance, İzmir anthems and popular songs were enthusiastically sung by the crowd.

Bornova Municipality also made sure that children were not left out. Giant inflatable play structures, face painting and balloon activities provided children with an unforgettable day, while free popcorn and cotton candy were offered to all participants.

To make transportation to the festival easier, free shuttle services operated throughout the day from six different points in Bornova: Bornova Metro İZBAŞ Parking Lot, in front of the Bornova District Governor’s Office in Bornova Square, Altındağ Jewish Cemetery, Yeşilova Terminus, in front of Çamdibi Atatürk Park Kent Lokantası, and in front of Pınarbaşı Çamlık Park. Thanks to these services, thousands of İzmir residents were able to reach the festival area conveniently.