With wrestlers taking to the field to the beat of drums echoing through Turkiye’s northwestern border city of Edirne, the centuries-old oil wrestling festival once again draws enthusiastic crowds and celebrates a rich cultural legacy.
The week-long 664th edition of the Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival took place recently, culminating in the crowning of this year’s baspehlivan – the top titleholder in traditional oil wrestling.
The baspehlivan title represents the pinnacle of strength and skill, as well as the deep honour and respect central to Turkish oil wrestling’s heritage.
Listed by Unesco as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, the festival traces its roots to 1361, when Ottoman commander Sultan Murad ordered a wrestling match in honour of 40 warriors following the conquest of Edirne. Since then, it has evolved into a cherished summer tradition, deeply woven into Turkiye’s cultural fabric.
This year, around 800 wrestlers from across Turkiye attended the festival, competing in 14 weight categories at Edirne’s historic Sarayici arena.
Some wrestling enthusiasts who travelled to Edirne for the event had to camp around the iconic Selimiye Mosque after the city’s hotels reached full capacity.
“I came all the way from Kayseri, a central Anatolian province, just to witness this tradition firsthand,” said Metin Eren, a wrestling fan who pitched a tent near the mosque.
“Finding a hotel was impossible, but it doesn’t matter – being here and watching the matches up close is worth everything.”
Ayla Kaya, a vendor selling traditional snacks near the wrestling grounds, said that the Kirkpinar festival draws large crowds to Edirne, making it the busiest time of year for her business.
“I take great pride in sharing local flavours with visitors from all over Turkiye and even beyond,” she said.
The sporting event is not only a showcase of strength and tradition but also a symbol of unity, cultural pride, and growing international appeal, according to Edirne’s first female mayor, Filiz Gencan Akin.
“Kirkpinar is more than just a competition. It’s a living tradition that carries the soul of our heritage,” Akin said.
“We’ve prepared for this event for an entire year,” she added. “We upgraded the stadium, created a dedicated gastronomy area, and set up a special marketplace to highlight Edirne’s rich cultural and culinary offerings.”
As this year’s event concluded, Akin shared that the municipality will begin reviewing areas for improvement ahead of next year’s edition.
“We’re developing international promotion strategies so that more people around the world can discover Edirne and this unique tradition,” she said. – Xinhua
