Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
Tree Planting Campaign Unites Community in İnlice to Support a Greener Fethiye
Fethiye, MUĞLA – A tree planting campaign was carried out on Friday in the İnlice Neighborhood as part of ongoing efforts to protect and expand Fethiye’s green spaces.
The event was organised in cooperation with the Fethiye Forestry Directorate, Likya Women’s Cooperative and the municipality. As part of the campaign, lavender, rosemary and cypress saplings were planted, contributing to both environmental sustainability and the enhancement of the local landscape.
Held in a festive atmosphere, the event attracted strong participation from local residents. Officials thanked all institutions and individuals who contributed to the initiative and supported the campaign.
Municipal representatives said efforts to protect Fethiye’s natural environment will continue, with the aim of leaving a greener and more sustainable Fethiye for future generations.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Young Chefs from Fethiye Shine at International Istanbul Culinary Days
Istanbul – The 22nd International Istanbul Culinary Days, one of the most prestigious events in Turkish cuisine, marked a significant success for Fethiye, as young chefs and their mentors proudly represented the district among thousands of culinary professionals.
The international event, organised by the Turkish Chefs and Cooks Federation, brought together chefs and professional cooks from 26 countries. Among the participants was the Chef Mavi Fethiye Professional Chefs Association, whose presence highlighted Fethiye’s growing role in the culinary world.
Students and teachers from Şehit Yüzbaşı Özgür Özekin Tourism Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School drew particular attention for their enthusiasm, teamwork and professionalism. Their strong sense of solidarity throughout the event underscored the importance of education and mentorship in shaping future culinary talent.
Led by Onur Arslan, President of the Chef Mavi Fethiye Professional Chefs Association, the Fethiye delegation successfully demonstrated professional unity and commitment to excellence. Arslan noted that Fethiye is gaining recognition not only for its natural beauty but also for the young chefs it is training.
He emphasised that today’s students will become tomorrow’s chefs, gastronomy entrepreneurs and cultural ambassadors, while the teachers guiding them remain the often-unseen but most powerful contributors to this success.
Source: Fethiye TV
Century-Old Weaving Tradition Showcased in Fethiye
Fethiye, MUĞLA – The Rock Carpet Kilim Exhibition, prepared in collaboration with Fethiye Municipality and the S.S. Lycia Fethiye Women’s Entrepreneurship, Production, Business and Development Cooperative, has opened its doors at the Özer Olgun Cultural Center, bringing art lovers together with the geographically protected Fethiye Rock Carpets.
The exhibition, which opened with an official ceremony, features hand-woven carpets produced using natural dyes and traditional techniques. Visitors can view examples of Fethiye Rock Carpets, which received geographical indication registration in 2021, for a period of three days.
Emerging from the cultural interaction between Turkmen communities who migrated to the region and the local population, Fethiye Rock Carpets represent a weaving tradition that became widespread in the early 19th century. These small-sized carpets are distinguished by plant motifs arranged in medallion and corner-center compositions. Produced entirely with hand-spun yarns and natural dyes, the carpets are known for their vivid and contrasting colours, most notably red and navy blue, alongside green, blue, black, white and orange.
Speaking at the opening, Fethiye Deputy Mayor Oğuz Bolelli underlined the cultural significance of the Kaya carpet. He said the exhibition aims to bring renewed attention to this geographically protected value of the region and highlighted the importance of reviving a tradition that is at risk of disappearing.
Bolelli expressed his belief that increased appreciation and demand for the exhibited works would help ensure the sustainability of production and contribute to the revival of carpet weaving in Kaya and its surrounding areas. He wished the exhibition success and strong public interest.
The Fethiye Rock Carpet Kilim Exhibition will remain open to visitors for three days at the Özer Olgun Cultural Center.
Whirling Dervishes Commemorate Rumi’s 752nd Anniversary
Konya, TURKEY – Whirling dervishes performed the centuries-old Sama ceremony on December 17, 2025, as part of the 752nd Anniversary International Commemoration Ceremonies of Sufi philosopher Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, held under the theme “Time of Peace.”
The Sama ceremony is a sacred Sufi ritual of the Mevlevi order, whose members are widely known as whirling dervishes. Through music, chanting and the distinctive whirling movement, the ritual symbolizes a spiritual journey toward divine love, harmony and inner peace.
The ceremony is closely associated with Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, a 13th-century Sufi poet, Islamic scholar and philosopher whose teachings emphasize love, tolerance and unity. Rumi spent much of his life in Konya, where he produced many of his most influential works and where his mausoleum remains a major place of pilgrimage.
Each year in early December, Konya hosts the Vuslat Anniversary International Commemoration events, marking the anniversary of Rumi’s death. In Sufi tradition, “Vuslat” does not signify death itself, but rather a union with the divine, reflecting Rumi’s belief that death is a spiritual reunion rather than an end.
The Sama ceremonies, performed before large audiences from Turkey and abroad, continue to serve as a powerful expression of Rumi’s enduring message of peace, spirituality and universal brotherhood.
Source: Daily Sabah
Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides Begin on Frozen Çıldır Lake
Çıldır Lake, KARS–ARDAHAN – Blanketed in snow and sealed with ice, parts of Çıldır Lake have opened to visitors eager to experience one of eastern Turkey’s most distinctive winter traditions: horse-drawn sleigh rides across a frozen lake.
Straddling the border between Kars and Ardahan provinces, Çıldır Lake covers an area of 123 square kilometres and is the second-largest lake in eastern Turkey after Lake Van. Following recent snowfall, sections of the freshwater lake have frozen to a thickness of approximately 15 centimetres, transforming the area into a striking white winter landscape.
With the ice now considered safe, the region’s iconic sleigh rides have officially marked the start of the winter season. Local operator Davut Taşdemir, who runs horse-drawn sleigh tours on the lake, said services began after completing safety checks.
Taşdemir explained that the horses were taken onto the ice to map out routes and test conditions before welcoming visitors. He noted that the lake freezes earlier than many other areas and typically allows sleigh operations for three to four months each winter.
He added that extensive preparations are carried out ahead of the season, including regular care, feeding and training of the horses once snowfall begins. Taşdemir stressed that the ice is always tested by operators themselves before guests are taken onto the lake, particularly as first-time visitors often experience a mix of excitement and apprehension.
The early arrival of winter conditions has attracted visitors from across Turkey, turning the frozen lake into a lively setting for sightseeing, photography and celebration.
Visitor Ecrin Yüksel, who travelled from Istanbul, said the trip had been planned for a long time and described her first sleigh ride on a frozen lake as unforgettable. Another visitor, Gözde Aktaş, said the experience combined both fear and enjoyment, adding that the scenery made the ride especially memorable.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Turkey Registers Thousands of Monumental Trees and Caves for Protection
Ankara, TURKEY – Turkey has officially registered 10,503 monumental trees and 319 caves across the country to ensure their protection and maintenance, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change has told state-run Anadolu Agency.
The registered sites are protected under national conservation programmes, with ongoing work aimed at preserving their cultural, historical and natural significance.
Monumental trees are classified into four main categories: dimensional, historical, folkloric and mystical. From a historical perspective, cultural monumental trees are those that have witnessed significant historical events or figures. Mystical trees are revered by local communities due to religious beliefs, while folkloric trees are associated with customs, traditions or regional events, whether joyful or tragic.
Dimensionally monumental trees are identified by their exceptional physical characteristics, including age, crown spread, trunk diameter and height, which exceed standard measurements for their species.
Once a tree is registered, rehabilitation work begins immediately. Restoration efforts include removing mistletoe, harmful fungi, ivy, dry or diseased branches, as well as foreign objects such as ropes, wires, cables and signs from the trunk and crown. Trees affected by fungal or bacterial infections are disinfected by specialists following pruning.
To prevent damage, thick and dry branches are cut in stages, with exposed surfaces treated using grafting paste to reduce the risk of decay. Artificial surfaces such as concrete, asphalt and paving stones around the root collar are carefully removed to protect the roots and trunk. The area is then refilled with soil enriched with long-term nutrients and fertilisers to support healthy root development.
Alongside tree conservation, projects are continuing nationwide to identify and protect caves as part of Turkey’s natural heritage. These efforts include both already protected caves and lesser-known sites awaiting official registration, bringing the total number of registered caves to 319.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Turkey Sets New Record in Mandarin Exports
Ankara, TURKEY – Turkey has reached a historic milestone in mandarin exports, shipping nearly $615 million worth of produce in the first 11 months of 2025, according to official export figures. The total marks a 61 percent increase compared to the same period last year and has already surpassed the previous full-year record.
Between January and November, Turkey exported 690,014 metric tons of mandarins, representing an 18 percent year-on-year rise. Export revenues climbed even faster, exceeding the former annual record of $575 million set in 2023 by approximately $39 million, despite the year not yet being complete.
Russia remained Turkey’s largest export market, importing 356,341 tons of mandarins valued at $237.08 million. Iraq followed with imports worth $203.31 million, while Ukraine ranked third at $48.35 million.
Hayrettin Uçak, chairman of an Aegean fruit exporters’ association, said producers were enjoying a strong season. He noted that Turkey’s Mediterranean and Aegean regions are key citrus-growing areas and that yields were significantly higher this year, particularly in the provinces of Adana and Mersin.
Uçak explained that although sales started slowly due to warm weather and high early-season supply, exports gained momentum as temperatures fell and demand increased. He added that competitive pricing allowed Turkish exporters to compete strongly in international markets.
He also highlighted improved quality standards, noting that no shipments had been returned due to pesticide residues, a development he described as highly beneficial for exporters.
Uçak said Turkish exporters are actively seeking new markets and promoting mandarins globally, expressing confidence that exports could reach $750 million by the end of the year.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor weekly update.
Ziraat Turkey Cup
The first week of matches in Group A of the Ziraat Turkey Cup, in which Fethiyespor is competing, has been completed, with a total of three matches played across the group.
Fethiyespor will play its first fixture in the cup on Wednesday, December 24, taking on Boluspor away from home. The match is scheduled to kick off at 15:30.
League Matches
The team’s next match will be played at home against Ankara Demirspor on Sunday, January 11. Kick-off to be confirmed.
Match Results
Fethiyespor lost their away match against Muş Spor on Tuesday with a final score of 2-0.
Fethiyespor drew their home match against Mardin 1969 Spor with a final score of 0-0.
Following recent matches, Fethiyespor move up to 13th place in the league table.
Join the Fethiyespor Yabancilar group on Facebook for more news and updates
You can also follow Fethiyespor on Twitter and Instagram
Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 57.19 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 57.09 TL.
The US Dollar bought 42.74 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 42.69 TL.
The Euro bought 50.06 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 50.13 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
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