Peace doves were released at the Luton Turkish Festival

AVRUPA AGENCY (AVA) Luton-The Turkish Festival, traditionally organized every year in Luton, England, with the aim of promoting Turkey's rich cultural heritage, keeping our values ​​alive, strengthening solidarity and raising the morale of society, was held with enthusiasm this year as well. Peace doves were released at the Luton Turkish Festival organized by the Luton Turkish Education and Culture Center in Stockwood Park. The colorful world of Turkish culture was introduced to local and foreign guests at the festival, which was held for the 7th time this year in Stockwood Park, Luton. Luton Turkish Education and Culture Association President İlhami Gündüz took an interest in the guests Luton Mayor Amy Nicholls, Luton Lord Qurban Hussain, Ambassador Osman Koray Ertaş and Labour Party City Council Member J. Hussain.

Thanks from Luton Turkish Education and Culture Association President İlhami Gündüz

Luton Turkish Education and Culture Association President İlhami Gündüz said: “Luton TurkFest 2025, which was held with great enthusiasm this year, made us all experience the pride of keeping and sharing Turkish culture alive once again! We would like to thank everyone who did not leave us alone on this meaningful day that was full of thousands of people in Stockwood Park. Endless thanks to the Turkish Ambassador to London Osman Koray Ertaş, Kelkit Mayor Ünal Yılmaz, Kelkit Municipality, Kelkit District Governor Kadir Algın, Gümüşhane MP Celalettin Köse and all our guests who contributed, who honored us with their opening speeches! This magnificent day full of folk dances, janissary band shows, stage performances, children's activities and local flavors left a mark on all of our hearts. We would like to thank everyone who participated, supported and contributed once again. We hope to see you at Luton TürkFest 2026!”

Atilla Üstün Receives Lifetime Achievement and Honor Award

London Ambassador Osman Koray Ertaş and British Turkish Association President Murat Şükrü Acar presented the Lifetime Achievement and Honor Award plaque to Atilla Üstün, Founder of the Luton Turkish Association and Festival.

Traditional Turkish Folk Dances

The festival offered unique flavors of Turkish cuisine and local dishes. From the Mehter team show to the Oba tent from the Ottoman period to the present day, Beys and Alps, Ottoman-era clothes, costumes, accessories, hand-woven fabrics and Ebru art were exhibited. Animation shows with our childhood heroes, Turkish classical music concerts, ney and oud performances, live performances of our folk poets, traditional Turkish folk dances, hymns from our children and theater performances took place in the festival.

From Hacivat and Karagöz to Rafadan Tayfa

The festival offered Turkish coffee, Turkish delight, cotton candy, wafers, bici bici, corn and baked potato treats, and specially prepared playgrounds for children. The festival, which hosts approximately 5,000 to 10,000 visitors each year, was colored by the participation of Turkish citizens and guests from different nations, not only from Luton but also from all over the UK. This year, the magnificent festival, full of enthusiasm and kneaded with culture, has come to an end.