Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca Joins Citizens at Çatalarık İftar
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Fethiye Municipality marked the first day of Ramadan by hosting a communal iftar at the Çatalarık Social Facilities, bringing residents together in a spirit of unity and reflection.
Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca joined citizens in breaking their fast, sharing the peace of gathering at the same table during Ramadan — a month symbolising sharing, solidarity and abundance.
Municipal officials stated that the iftar table set up at the Çatalarık Social Facilities will continue to welcome residents throughout the holy month, offering an opportunity for the community to come together each evening.
The programme concluded with prayers and well-wishes, expressing hopes that all fasts will be accepted and that Ramadan will bring peace and blessings to the community.
Source: Fethiye Belediye
Fethiye Municipality Distributes Ramadan Aid Packages to Citizens in Need
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Fethiye Municipality Social Services Directorate has continued its Ramadan solidarity campaign by delivering specially prepared food packages to citizens in need across the district.
Municipal officials stated that the Ramadan packages, prepared with the spirit and blessings of the holy month, are being distributed to support families requiring assistance during this time of sharing and compassion.
Citizens wishing to request support have been invited to apply through the Municipality’s Social Services Directorate. In addition, residents who would like to contribute Ramadan packages to those in need can also contact the same directorate.
Officials emphasised that no one in Fethiye will be left feeling alone, reaffirming that the Municipality will continue to stand by its citizens throughout Ramadan and beyond.
Source: Fethiye Belediye
Students Gather in Kayaköy for “Sketches of the Past” Project
Fethiye, MUĞLA – The “Sketches of the Past” themed programme, organised within the scope of the Ministry of National Education’s R&D Project and coordinated by Mehmet Akif Ersoy Imam Hatip High School, was held in Kayaköy.
During the event in Kayaköy, students reflected the traces of cultural heritage from past to present through artwork and presentations. The pieces prepared within the framework of the “Sketches of the Past” theme received strong appreciation from participants.
Fatih Akkaya and Faruk Kaya also attended the programme. In his address, Governor Akkaya emphasised the importance of young people growing up as individuals who understand their history and value their cultural heritage. He noted that such initiatives contribute significantly to both the academic and social development of students and thanked the teachers and students involved in the project.
Officials stated that the event, implemented under the Ministry of National Education’s R&D Project, aims to enhance students’ research, production and self-expression skills while strengthening their connection to cultural heritage.
Source: Fethiye TV
Intensive Cleaning Work Underway at Çalış Beach After Heavy Rainfall
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Intensive cleaning operations are continuing at Çalış Beach following recent heavy rainfall in the district.
After the downpours, debris and waste materials swept along by the Murt Stream were carried to the shoreline at Çalış Beach. In response, teams from Çalış-Der launched an extensive clean-up effort to restore the beach.
Çalış-Der teams have been working continuously for the past week, removing accumulated debris and ensuring the coastline is cleared and safe for residents and visitors.
Officials stated that efforts will continue until the beach is fully cleaned, emphasising the importance of protecting Fethiye’s natural environment following periods of severe weather.
Turkey Records 1,011 Extreme Weather Events in One Year
Ankara – Turkey experienced 1,011 extreme meteorological events last year, highlighting the growing intensity and frequency of climate-related risks, according to the 2025 Turkey Climate Assessment Report released by the General Directorate of Meteorology under the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.
Data collected from 220 meteorological observation stations nationwide showed that the country’s average annual temperature reached 15.1°C, exceeding the 1991–2020 average by 1.2°C. The year ranked among the five warmest recorded in the past 55 years. July became the hottest July on record at 26.9°C, while the summer season ranked as the second hottest overall. Temperatures remained above seasonal norms for 268 days — 73.4% of the year.
Record-breaking maximum temperatures were registered at 191 stations. The highest temperature ever recorded in the country, 50.5°C, was measured in Silopi in July, while the lowest, minus 32.6°C, was recorded in Horasan in February.
Seasonal averages exceeded long-term norms across all four seasons, confirming a persistent year-round warming trend. Heat waves increased significantly in both frequency and duration. Tokat recorded five heat-wave events, while Şırnak experienced the longest cumulative duration at 34 days. Cold extremes also remained notable, particularly in Horasan and Kızılcahamam.
Rainfall levels declined sharply. Average annual precipitation fell to 414.9 millimetres — 27.6% below the 1991–2020 average — marking the driest year since 1964 and the lowest precipitation level in 61 years. Compared to the previous year, rainfall decreased by 22.8%.
Regional disparities were significant. While the eastern Black Sea region received more than 1,000 millimetres of rainfall, parts of Central Anatolia and southeastern Turkey recorded less than 250 millimetres. In and around Şanlıurfa, Kilis, Gaziantep and Hatay, precipitation fell by more than 60%, intensifying drought pressure on agriculture and water systems.
Of the 1,011 extreme meteorological events recorded nationwide, 27% were storms, 23% heavy rainfall and flooding, 17% hail, 11% snowfall, 7% frost, 5% lightning, 2% landslides and 2% tornadoes. Other incidents, including avalanches, forest fires, fog and dust storms, accounted for less than 1% of the total.
Source: Daily Sabah
Rising waters of Uluabat Lake reach homes in Turkey’s ‘Little Venice’
Bursa – After weeks of heavy rainfall across northwestern Turkey, the water level of Uluabat Lake has risen by nearly five metres, pushing lake water up against the walls of homes and businesses in Gölyazı, a historic settlement often referred to as “Little Venice.”
Located in Bursa province, Gölyazı sits on a small peninsula that effectively turns into an island when water levels increase. The recent surge has flooded coastal roads, pedestrian paths and shoreline trees, dramatically altering the landscape. A bridge connecting the island section of the settlement to the mainland — left dry in recent years due to drought — is now completely surrounded by water, with its underside submerged.
Uluabat Lake is protected under the Ramsar Convention, an international agreement aimed at conserving wetlands of global importance. The lake is regarded as one of Turkey’s richest ecosystems, supporting diverse fish species, aquatic life and large populations of migratory birds.
In recent years, prolonged drought and environmental pressures had caused water levels to drop significantly. However, this winter’s sustained rainfall has revitalised the ecosystem, restoring the lake to levels not seen since 2014.
Local shopkeeper Mustafa Kesimci said the rising waters have added a unique beauty to the area. “Last year, there was no water under the bridge at all — cars could pass beneath it,” he said. “Now, even small boats cannot pass under the bridge. When the wind blows, the waves grow larger, and visually it is stunning.”
Gölyazı previously gained international recognition after being listed among “Europe’s 30 most beautiful towns” by the Japan Association of Travel Agents. Residents believe the renewed presence of water could boost tourism, drawing more domestic and international visitors to the lakeside community.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Greece Seeks UNESCO Recognition for Tripe Soup, Reviving Culinary Debate with Turkey
Athens – Greece has launched a formal bid to secure UNESCO recognition for tripe soup, known locally as “patsas,” reigniting a long-standing culinary debate with Turkey.
According to local media reports, Greek authorities have prepared a nomination file for the dish and submitted it to the Ministry of Culture. If approved domestically, the application will be forwarded to UNESCO for consideration under its Intangible Cultural Heritage framework.
The soup, widely known in Turkey as “işkembe çorbası,” is deeply rooted in Ottoman and Turkish culinary traditions. In Greece, where it is called “patsas,” it remains a staple of late-night dining culture across the Balkans and the Levant.
The move has revived familiar discussions between the two neighbours over shared dishes and cultural ownership. Many foods across the Aegean basin are prepared in near-identical ways, reflecting centuries of intertwined histories under the Ottoman Empire. Such debates are often described as symbolic or “soft” cultural tensions centred on heritage and representation.
Whether the subject is baklava or yoghurt, questions over “who owns the recipe” frequently spark passionate national conversations on both sides of the Aegean.
Historical sources suggest that tripe soup has been part of Anatolian cuisine for centuries. Seventeenth-century Ottoman traveller Evliya Çelebi referred to tripe and trotters vendors in Istanbul in his renowned travelogue, Seyahatnâme, indicating the dish’s long-standing presence in urban food culture.
The debate over culinary heritage extends beyond the Aegean. A comparable discussion between Germany and Turkey over “döner kebab” has continued for years, particularly regarding standards, naming rights and cultural association within European regulatory frameworks.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor update.
Match Result
Fethiyespor won their away match against Adanaspor on Saturday. The final score was 0-6.
Following recent matches, Fethiyespor remains in 12th place in the league table.
League Matches
The team’s next league match is on Saturday 28 February, away against Isparta 32 Spor. Kick-off will be at 15:00.
Stay connected with all things Fethiyespor — join the Fethiyespor Yabancilar Facebook group for breaking news, matchday updates, and community discussions.
You can also follow Fethiyespor on Twitter and Instagram
Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 59.08 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 59.58 TL.
The US Dollar bought 43.83 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 43.65 TL.
The Euro bought 51.67 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 50.81 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Turkey travel tips
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
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