The cradle of civilizations and one of the leading tourism destinations in Turkey, Antalya hosted the 53rd Antalya Film Festival last week. With all of the historical riches besides luxurious hotels and restaurants, the city mesmerized the attendants of the event
Antalya is the jewel of the Mediterranean and Turkey. The city, which is known as the cradle of civilization, has hosted a great number of cultures. The Lycians, Pamphylians, Pergamons, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans all lived here, in succession. During the Hellenistic period, Pergamon King Attalus II told his soldiers, "Go and find heaven on earth for me." Thus, the soldiers of Attalus II showed him modern-day Antalya, which became a port town in a place of strategic importance for the region. So, the city is called "Attaleia," based on the name of Attalus, the founder of the town.
The regional cuisine of the city is as rich as its history. Whether it's a bean salad with tahini, a taurus salad, rice soup or a banana dessert, they will all catch your eye as they did mine as soon as I arrived here. If you're looking for homemade deliciousness, I recommend that you buy some orange jam to take home with you. During mid-November, you can pick delicious fruits and vegetables on local farms and even enjoy a dip in the ocean if the weather is right. I especially recommend the beaches located in the district of Konyaaltı where there is a beautiful mountain view reminiscent of the mountains of Vietnam. For those non-beachgoers, Antalya has many historical sites to offer such as Kaleiçi, as well as authentic cafes where you may enjoy a cup of tea or Turkish coffee. It is very enjoyable to take a brisk walk down the cobblestone streets, browse the local souvenir shops and taste scrumptious foods unique to the region.
Antalya, which is one of the leading cities on the Mediterranean in terms of tourism, is admired by visitors, thanks to its natural beauties and historic structures. Furthermore, it has left an enviable impression on international figures while hosting a range of cultural projects like EXPO 2016. World-renowned stars Elton John and Ricky Martin have been here, performing in the context of ongoing events hosted here. Thousands of people have been fascinated by world-class performers in Antalya, and I recommend that you visit the unique city soon to catch EXPO 2016 while it is still being held.
The most successful organization in Antalya in recent times is the 53rd International Antalya Film Festival. The festival, which featured a great number of international films and Turkish films, was held in the media sponsorship of Turkuvuaz Media Group. The event, just like the film festivals in France and the U.S., received a thumbs up from me. Antalya was covered in festival posters and event locations were adorned with unique designs. The locals showed incredible interest in the parade, which saw a large turnout and included vintage cars. Daily workshops and film screenings as well as the award ceremonies were absolutely worth seeing. By the way, the vintage cologne brand Rebul designed special cologne for the festival, which I loved. Furthermore, the T-shirts designed just for the festival were quite stylish. This international event was purely outstanding both in terms of foreign directors and producers as well as the stars, including Andie MacDowell and Harvey Keitel who jazzed up the event. For a moment, I thought I was in Cannes or at the Oscars. The week-long shows were highly appreciated by the local people along with foreign participants.
Two award ceremonies took place at the closing ceremony over the weekend. The first was held at the Rixos Land of Legends Hotel. This facility, a $1.2 billion massive investment, is a paradise for children. The facility, with an artificial beach and sea, waterslides, roller coaster, South African penguins, water tigers, diving school and a huge aquarium, is virtually an entertainment center. The rooms in the hotel section are divided into two, within the concept of "knight and princess." The chateau in the garden of Rixos Land of Legends offers a fascinating view. The canal flowing in the middle of the hotel allows for water shows and gondola rides. The first of the award ceremonies started with a magnificent show right over the water canals. Following the award ceremony, dinner was served in the garden of the chateau, with laser light shows all around. It was absolutely stunning.
The closing of the 53rd Antalya International Film Festival and main award ceremony was organized on the evening of Oct 23. The event that started with a spectacular red carpet ceremony took place at EXPO 2016. The stars of both Turkish and international films attended the event where the movie Mavi Bisiklet (The Blue Bicycle) was selected for the Best Film award. Short of that, it was both a successful event in terms of organization and a successful festival in the sense of film quality. I congratulate everyone who contributed in this event organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Metropolitan Municipality of Antalya. The festival, which employed a total of 1,800 people, has proven to be one of the works that our country will take pride in for 2016. I particularly congratulate Menderes Türel, the Metropolitan Mayor of Antalya, for all his contributions and support. Even with fall around the corner, visit Antalya and relax. This season could be ideal, as you can avoid the muggy summer heat. Do not miss this opportunity before the winter comes.
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