Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
Students Visit Cleaning Services Directorate for Environmental Awareness
Fethiye, MUĞLA – The Cleaning Services Directorate hosted the students and teachers of Vali Recai Güreli Middle School’s ÇEDES Values Club.
During the visit, staff introduced the department’s day-to-day operations, explained key processes, and highlighted the importance of cleanliness and environmental awareness — values they aim to cultivate in the younger generations.
The directorate thanked the students for their interest, their awareness, and the meaningful banners they prepared for the occasion.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Police Department Intensifies Market Inspections
Fethiye, MUĞLA – The Police Department continues its routine inspections across local supermarkets. During the checks, teams meticulously examine product expiration dates, price labels, and overall hygiene conditions to ensure full compliance with regulations.
Officials stated that inspections will continue regularly to guarantee that citizens can shop in a safe and healthy environment.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Teachers Explore Yörük Turkmen Heritage at Fethiye Culture Academy
Fethiye, MUĞLA – The Muğla Teachers’ Academies held their second major event with the Fethiye City and Culture Academy, bringing local educators together to explore the rich traditions of Yörtümer culture. The session was led by Dr. Aslı Çandarlı, Director of Yörtümer and a lecturer in the History Department at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University.
Focusing on the transmission and preservation of cultural heritage, the event introduced teachers to key elements of Yörük Turkmen traditions. Following the presentation, participants created their own fabric prints using traditional woodblock techniques, producing designs inspired by Yörük Turkmen motifs.
Teachers described the activity as both enjoyable and educational, offering a deeper appreciation of the region’s cultural identity. The Fethiye City and Culture Academy will continue in the coming weeks with further events highlighting the unique heritage of Fethiye and its surroundings.
Source: Fethiye TV
Muğla’s Zeybek Takes Centre Stage at International Health Tourism Conference
Izmir – The International Health Tourism Conference brought together representatives from 52 countries in Izmir, highlighting global collaboration and cultural exchange. At the invitation of Prof. Dr. Aysun Bay, President of Malatya Turgut Özal University and Chair of the Organizing Committee, Devrim Karakuş, President of the Beşkaza Culture and Solidarity Platform, attended the conference’s gala dinner.
During the evening, Prof. Dr. Aysun Bay presented plaques to the Beşkaza Platform in recognition of their contributions to the congress. The night took a vibrant turn when the Beşkaza Platform delivered a surprise cultural performance.
A Zeybek ensemble from the Muğla region—featuring Ahmet Elmastaş, Mehmet Kızılkulak, İsmail Eren Görgülü and Ömer Emrah Dursun—took to the stage with a powerful display of traditional Muğla Zeybek dances. The performance quickly turned interactive as the team taught Zeybek steps to the ambassadors of Burundi, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Zambia, Moldova and India, as well as to Prof. Dr. Aysun Bay.
The evening concluded with ambassadors and members of the organising committee joining the dancers on stage, celebrating Muğla’s cultural heritage through shared movement and music.
Source: Fethiye TV
Muğla Launches “You Are Not Alone” Campaign for November 25
Muğla – This year, to mark November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality has launched a powerful awareness campaign under the theme “You Are Not Alone.”
As part of the initiative, empty chairs secured with chains have been placed in public spaces across all 13 districts of Muğla. These striking installations aim to represent both the visible and invisible forms of violence experienced by women—ranging from physical abuse to emotional and psychological harm.
The symbolic chairs serve as a public reminder of the ongoing struggle against gender-based violence, encouraging citizens to reflect, engage, and stand in solidarity with women facing abuse. Through this meaningful campaign, the municipality seeks to amplify awareness and strengthen community support for victims across the region.
Source: Fethiye TV
Fethiye’s Famous Motorcycle Cat Gofret Charms Istanbul with Colorful Adventures
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Gofret, the cat known across Fethiye for riding on her owner’s motorcycle, has taken her remarkable journeys to Istanbul—complete with vibrant costumes and her signature helmet. Adopted from Hakkari when she was just two months old, Gofret has been raised by her owner, Hatem Topcu, in a ground-floor garden home in Fethiye, where she quickly adapted to outdoor life and the sound of the motorcycle.
What began as short rides around the neighbourhood soon became a daily routine. Dressed in outfits ranging from police uniforms to bee and wedding costumes, Gofret confidently sits at the front of the motorcycle, secured in a custom-designed baby carrier and never missing a ride without her helmet.
“People often think she’s a toy at first glance,” Topcu said. “When they realize she’s real, they smile in surprise. We started sharing videos, and she quickly became popular.”
Their adventures recently took them to Istanbul, where they visited Garipçe, Üsküdar, Eminönü, Sirkeci and Taksim. Gofret caught the attention of tourists and locals wherever she went, often becoming a playful companion for children. While crossing the Bosporus by ferry, she and Topcu fed seagulls and enjoyed the city’s panoramic views.
Topcu described their travels as “a journey of friendship,” highlighting the deep bond they share. Their first long-distance trip covered 1,200 kilometers, and the duo has since expanded their journeys beyond Turkey, even touring parts of Europe—cementing Gofret’s reputation as an international “motorcycle cat.”
Safety remains a priority. Gofret is always carried safely at the front of the motorcycle and protected with her helmet on every ride.
Their Istanbul trip also led to helping a sick stray kitten, making the journey meaningful beyond sightseeing. “We try to help street cats whenever possible,” Topcu noted.
When not exploring busy cities, the pair enjoys fishing trips, watching sunsets and even swimming together during bungalow getaways—another activity Gofret has grown to love.
“Wherever I go, she comes with me,” Topcu said. “It’s important to introduce cats to these experiences early so they grow without fear.”
With her fur blowing in the wind and her unmistakable charm, Gofret continues to win hearts—on two wheels and across continents.
Source: Daily Sabah
Istanbul Set for Faster Earthquake Alerts with New Seafloor Sensors
Istanbul – Turkey’s earthquake early warning network is poised for a major upgrade as new seafloor sensors planned for the Marmara Sea are expected to slash alert times to as little as three to six seconds, significantly enhancing Istanbul’s earthquake preparedness.
Officials from the Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute detailed the upcoming improvements at a recent briefing. They noted that the current system issued its first alert 8.4 seconds after the magnitude 5 earthquake off Marmara on October 2.
The early warning system functions by detecting P-waves — the first, non-destructive signals that precede the more damaging S-waves — enabling alerts to be sent out within seconds. While modern land-based stations have reduced data transmission delays to 0.2 seconds, the absence of real-time seafloor sensors still creates a natural six-second gap as seismic waves travel from offshore fault lines to coastal monitoring stations.
Professor Nurcan Meral Özel, Director of the Institute, explained that 30 newly installed terrestrial stations have already cut average delays from five to six seconds down to two to four seconds, but eliminating the offshore lag is now the central goal. Istanbul aims to operate a “fast and reliable” warning system supported by modern equipment, renewed stations and extensive field testing.
The system, initially launched with a small pilot group, now serves 1,500 to 3,000 users. Plans include installing at least five fully online seafloor stations along the northern fault line, though deep-water construction costs remain a challenge.
Once upgraded, the system will trigger automatic safety protocols, including stopping metro and train services, closing gas valves, isolating electrical lines and supporting emergency procedures in hospitals and schools.
The Institute has also introduced a mobile early-warning app for public use, expanding access to faster alerts and potentially life-saving seconds ahead of shaking.
Source: https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/seafloor-sensors-to-cut-quake-warning-time-in-marmara-215963
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor weekly update.
Fethiyespor Appoints Sait Karafırtınalar as New Manager
ethiyespor has officially reached an agreement with manager Sait Karafırtınalar, marking a new chapter for the club as it looks ahead to upcoming competitions.
In a statement, the club announced its warm welcome to Karafırtınalar and his technical team, expressing confidence in the experience and leadership he will bring to the team.
Fethiyespor extended its best wishes for continued success under his management as preparations begin for the next stage of the season.
Match Schedule Announced for Ziraat Turkish Cup 4th Qualifying Round
The schedule for the Ziraat Turkish Cup 4th Qualifying Round has been officially announced. According to the fixture list, Fethiyespor’s fourth-round match against Bandırmaspor will take place on Thursday, December 4th at 1:30 PM at Fethiye District Stadium.
League Match
The team’s next match will be played away against Bursaspor on Sunday, November 30. Kick-off time to be announced
Fethiyespor is currently 12th in the league tables.
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Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 55.60 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 55.48 TL.
The US Dollar bought 42.44 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 42.16 TL.
The Euro bought 48.87 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 49.03 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
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