Turkish Weekend
September 18th-19th
10am until 5pm
Discover the origin of the Tulip
Turkey hosted the world’s first Tulip Festival more than 400 years ago, the love for the Tulip and the tradition is still strong in Victoria today. With more than 100 performers this weekend is a showcase of Turkish culture, a colourful and exciting weekend. Entertainment includes Turkish Folk Dancers and Musicians, Belly Dancing, Coffee Cup Reading, Turkish Marbling and Calligraphy, delicious foods and more! Presented in association with the Australian Turkish
Cultural Platform.
Entertainment
Unified Gecko (Turkish driven music with international influences), Turkish Folk Music, Belly Dancing performances and workshops, Coffee Cup Reading, Turkish Marbling and Calligraphy, Ekol School of Art (Folk Dancing Group), ATAM (Australian Turkish Arts and Music Group) …more to be announced.
Stalls
Turkish historical display, traditional Felt Making and demonstration, kid’s face painting, Henna tattoo, Western Thrace Women’s Cultural Group, Collingwood Turkish Women’s Cultural craft, Ilkay Ilicak’s Cultural display, Turkish jewelry, Turkish ceramics and rugs from Turkish Magic, Felt Making activities … more to be announced.
Food
Gozleme, Turkish Tea and Simit, Shish Kebab and Adana Kebab, Corn on the cob, Turkish Dumpling (desert), Turkish Coffee, Sandwiches, pies, sausage rolls, cakes, biscuits … more to be announced.
The 'Tesselaar Tulip Festival - Turkish weekend' is organised in conjunction with the Australian Turkish Cultural Platform.
Why a Turkish Weekend?
The tulip originated and was first cultivated in Turkey over 400 years ago. The flower gained importance in Turkish society, their form was championed by the Sultan’s.
The very first Tulip Festivals were celebrated in Turkey in the 1700’s during a time known as Lalè Devri (Tulip Era) it was at this time that the Tulip was the symbol of the Royal Court.
The original Tulip Festival were celebrated at the Sultan’s Palace which was decorated with thousands of tulips. Guests dressed so their clothes matched the many colours of the beautiful tulips. Mirrors were placed throughout the Royal gardens so light was reflected and the tulips seemed endless. Crystal bowls of coloured water were placed throughout the gardens to compliment the colour of the flowers. Songbirds hung from cages and musicians played throughout the gardens to provide the perfect atmosphere. At night candles were lit in crystal lanterns and placed throughout the gardens and cast an enchanting light across the flowers, candles were placed on the backs of tortoises to further increase the gala of the show, their slow wanderings illuminating the blooms in a capricious display.
Tulip motifs were and still are used prominently throughout Turkey in artistic words such as painting, tapestry, tiles, poetry and clothing.
Today the Tulip is still a important flower and symbol in Turkey.
To learn more about Turkey and the involvement of the local Turkish community in the Tesselaar Tulip festival please visit www.atcp.com.au