Welcome to our midweek round-up of the latest news and updates from Fethiye and across Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
Mounted Gendarmerie Teams Return to Ölüdeniz for the Summer Season
ÖLÜDENİZ, MUĞLA – Mounted gendarmerie teams have once again taken up their summer duties in Ölüdeniz, one of Turkey’s most popular tourist destinations, helping to maintain public safety while providing a visible and approachable presence for visitors.
With the start of the summer season, a specialist team from the Nevşehir Gendarmerie Horse and Dog Training Center Command has been deployed to the region. The unit consists of three mounted riders and three horse handlers and will remain on duty in Ölüdeniz for approximately two months.
The patrol team carries out its duties on specially trained security horses named Ilgaz, Yetkin and Mergen. Their patrols focus on beaches, coastal areas and locations with high volumes of tourist activity, supporting local security and public order operations.
In addition to their security role, the mounted gendarmerie personnel actively engage with visitors, providing information and assistance to both domestic and international tourists. Team members are fluent in foreign languages, enabling them to communicate effectively with the large number of overseas visitors who flock to Ölüdeniz each year.
The mounted patrols have become a popular attraction in their own right, drawing the attention of tourists and local residents alike. Visitors frequently stop to take photographs with the officers and their horses, creating memorable holiday moments while fostering positive community relations.
Officials say the mounted teams play an important role in strengthening security throughout the resort while offering a highly visible presence in areas that can be difficult for vehicles to access.
The mounted gendarmerie teams are expected to continue their patrol activities across Ölüdeniz throughout the busy summer season, helping to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/atli-jandarma-timleri-bu-yaz-da-oludenizde-gorev-basinda
17th International Yoruk-Turkmen Festival Draws Thousands to Muğla
MENTEŞE, MUĞLA – The 17th International Yoruk-Turkmen Festival concluded after two days of cultural celebrations in the Düzeyn area of Menteşe on June 6-7.
Organised by Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, the festival attracted participants from 30 provinces across Turkey and 15 countries. Representatives from 80 confederations and federations attended the event, which was supported by 16 Yoruk-Turkmen associations operating throughout Muğla.
This year’s festival was held under the theme, “From Hearth to Pan, From Milk to Food: The Eating and Drinking Tradition in Nomadic Culture,” highlighting the rich culinary heritage and traditional lifestyle of the Yoruk and Turkmen communities.
The opening day featured a colourful traditional Yoruk migration procession, with participants dressed in regional attire and accompanied by camels and horses. Visitors were able to explore traditional nomadic tents, cultural exhibitions and live performances that showcased centuries-old customs and traditions. The ceremonial lighting of the Yörük Fire brought the first day’s festivities to a memorable close.
A panel discussion involving academics and cultural experts examined the history, traditions and modern-day significance of Yoruk-Turkmen culture, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of its role in shaping Anatolia’s cultural heritage.
The second day of the festival focused on music and dance, with concerts and folk performances entertaining large crowds. Popular folk artist Sümer Ezgü headlined the programme, while performances by İsmail Uzunoğlu, Nurcan Altınok, Sabri Özdemir and Yasin Akkaya added to the festive atmosphere.
Festival organisers highlighted the importance of preserving Yoruk-Turkmen traditions and passing cultural values on to future generations. The event also emphasised the role of cultural associations and civil society organisations in safeguarding heritage and strengthening community ties.
The festival brought together Yoruk and Turkmen communities from across Turkey and the wider Turkic world, reinforcing cultural connections and promoting unity and solidarity among participants.
Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Aras described Yoruk and Turkmen culture as one of the fundamental pillars of Turkey’s national identity and reaffirmed support for organisations working to preserve these traditions.
Following the strong turnout and international participation, organisers announced plans to expand the festival in future years. The next edition is expected to be held at the Seki Plateau in Seydikemer, extending the event’s reach to other regions of Muğla.
The festival concluded with celebrations centred around the Yörük Fire, bringing to a close another successful gathering dedicated to honouring and preserving the rich cultural legacy of the Yoruk and Turkmen people.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/17-uluslararasi-yoruk-turkmen-toyu-coskuyla-tamamlandi
634 Athletes Compete in Marmaris for National Team Selection
MARMARIS, MUĞLA – A total of 634 athletes from across Turkey competed for national team places at the Turkish Open Water Swimming Summer Championship and National Team Selection Races, hosted by Muğla Metropolitan Municipality in Marmaris.
Held between June 2 and 5 at the İçmeler In-Service Training Center, the championship brought together swimmers from 66 clubs representing 26 provinces. Organised by the Turkish Swimming Federation and included in its official activity programme, the event was one of the country’s most significant open water swimming competitions of the year.
The races took place on İçmeler Beach, where athletes competed not only for Turkish Championship titles but also for the opportunity to represent Turkey in major international competitions.
Results from the championship will be used to determine the national team squads for several prestigious events, including the European Senior Open Water Swimming Championships, European Junior Open Water Swimming Championships, World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships and the Balkan Open Water Swimming Championships.
Throughout the four-day competition, swimmers battled challenging open water conditions as they sought to secure places on the national team. The event attracted athletes, coaches and club officials from across the country, highlighting the growing popularity of open water swimming in Turkey.
Marmaris once again demonstrated its importance as a leading destination for sports tourism, combining its favourable climate, natural beauty and excellent facilities to host a major national sporting event.
Supported by Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, the championship provided an important platform for athletes to showcase their abilities while also contributing to the promotion of the region as a centre for sporting events.
The successful organisation of the championship further strengthened Marmaris’ reputation as a preferred venue for national and international sports competitions, with hundreds of visitors travelling to the district throughout the event.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/buyuksehirin-ev-sahipliginde-634-sporcu-milli-takim-icin-kulac-atti
Fethiye Veterinarian Honoured for Long-Term Support of Street Animals
FETHIYE, MUĞLA – A veterinarian who has spent years supporting the treatment and care of street animals in Fethiye has been recognised with a certificate of appreciation from local animal welfare volunteers.
Veterinarian Enver Aykırı received the award in recognition of his long-standing contribution to the treatment and surgery of stray animals, as part of a community effort that has been helping vulnerable animals across the district for the past two years.
The initiative is funded through second-hand sales events organised by animal lovers, with donated items sold at local markets. Proceeds from the sales are used to cover veterinary treatment and surgery costs for street animals in need.
The project has grown through the combined efforts of volunteers, local residents and veterinary professionals, creating a strong network of support for stray animals throughout Fethiye.
Organisers highlighted that the work extends beyond medical care, with volunteers also focusing on providing attention, compassion and ongoing support for animals living on the streets.
Aykırı, who has worked in Fethiye for around 15 years, has played an active role in treating and caring for stray animals, offering assistance both in the clinic and in the field when needed. His contribution has helped improve the welfare of countless animals and strengthened local animal welfare efforts.
The recognition reflects the importance of cooperation between volunteers and veterinary professionals in addressing the challenges faced by street animals and ensuring they receive the care they need.
Renovation Work Begins on Fethiye’s Popular Coastal Tartan Track
FETHIYE, MUĞLA – Renovation work has begun on the tartan running track along Fethiye’s 2nd Stage Coastal Strip, one of the district’s most popular locations for walking, running and outdoor exercise.
As part of the improvement project being carried out by Fethiye Municipality, the first 300-metre section of the coastal route, together with the adjacent bicycle path, has been temporarily closed to the public while renovation works are underway.
The project aims to replace worn sections of the existing tartan surface, creating a safer and more comfortable environment for residents and visitors who use the coastal area for sport and recreation.
During the first phase of the works, municipal teams will remove the existing surface before applying a new tartan coating. Officials have stated that the renovation is progressing according to schedule and is expected to be completed within approximately three days.
Once the work on the initial section is finished, the area will be reopened for public use.
The upgrade is designed to give the coastal strip a more modern and attractive appearance while improving safety and comfort for walkers, runners and cyclists. The renewed surface is also expected to provide healthier and more suitable conditions for sporting activities throughout the year.
The 2nd Stage Coastal Strip remains one of Fethiye’s busiest recreational areas, attracting residents and visitors who enjoy its scenic waterfront setting and extensive walking and cycling routes.
Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/fethiye-2-etap-sahil-bandi-nda-tartan-pist-yenileniyor/123549/
Turkish Free Diver Highlights Coral Reef Protection on World Oceans Day
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, EGYPT – World record-holding Turkish free diver Şahika Ercümen marked World Oceans Day with a symbolic dive among the coral reefs of Egypt’s Red Sea, drawing attention to the urgent need to protect some of the world’s most biodiverse marine ecosystems.
Ercümen, who serves as a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) advocate for Life Below Water and Turkey’s Zero Waste Blue Ambassador, carried out the awareness dive on June 8 at the Far Garden reef near the Reef Oasis Dive Club in the resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh.
The dive showcased the remarkable underwater biodiversity of the Red Sea, including colourful coral formations, spotted eagle rays and a wide variety of marine life that depend on healthy reef ecosystems for survival.
Coral reefs are among the most important ecosystems on Earth, providing habitat for millions of marine species, supporting fisheries and tourism industries, and helping to protect coastal communities from storms and erosion.
The World Oceans Day initiative highlighted growing concerns over the impact of climate change and human activity on coral reefs worldwide. Rising sea temperatures, pollution and other environmental pressures have placed many reef systems under increasing strain, resulting in coral bleaching and habitat loss in various regions.
Ercümen used the dive to draw attention to the importance of marine conservation and the need to protect vulnerable ocean habitats for future generations. She also highlighted the positive impact of restoration and protection projects, which have demonstrated that damaged ecosystems can recover when effective conservation measures are implemented.
World Oceans Day, observed annually on June 8 and recognised by the United Nations, aims to raise awareness of the oceans’ critical role in sustaining life on Earth. Oceans help regulate the climate, produce much of the planet’s oxygen and support countless species and livelihoods around the globe.
The occasion is marked each year through environmental campaigns, scientific initiatives and conservation projects designed to promote the protection and sustainable management of marine ecosystems.
Ercümen’s awareness dive served as a powerful reminder of the importance of safeguarding coral reefs and preserving the health of the world’s oceans for future generations.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Cafés in Istanbul and Ankara Introduce Laptop and Wi-Fi Restrictions Sparking Remote Work Debate
ISTANBUL – A growing number of cafés in Istanbul and Ankara have begun introducing restrictions on laptop use, Wi-Fi access and electrical outlets, prompting debate among students, freelancers and remote workers.
The measures, which have attracted widespread attention on social media, include banning laptops during certain hours or days, limiting Wi-Fi access, charging for the use of power outlets and requiring customers to meet minimum spending thresholds if they remain seated for extended periods.
Many café owners say the changes are aimed at addressing rising operating costs, including rent, energy bills and staffing expenses, while also helping to increase customer turnover during busy periods.
Among the most common practices is time-limited Wi-Fi access, with customers receiving passwords valid for a set period, often around 90 minutes, before automatically being disconnected. Some venues have also introduced requirements for customers to make additional purchases after a certain amount of time or have restricted access to electrical outlets.
The policies have generated mixed reactions. While some business owners argue that cafés must balance customer comfort with commercial realities, critics say cafés have increasingly become important work and study spaces, particularly for students and remote workers who rely on internet access and charging facilities.
The discussion continues online as businesses and customers seek a balance between maintaining welcoming social spaces and managing the financial pressures facing the hospitality sector.
Source: Daily Sabah
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