Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Türkiye.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
Babadağ Ultra Marathon takes place for the second time in Fethiye
The Babadağ Ultra Marathon, held for the second time this year in Fethiye, came to a thrilling conclusion as athletes from around the world fiercely competed across various challenging courses. Approximately 300 athletes from 15 countries participated in the event, organized in cooperation with the Turkish Athletics Federation, Fethiye Municipality, Babadağ Teleferik, and the Babadağ Ultra Marathon Organization.
Participants raced through 5-stage courses, including 60-kilometer, 24-kilometer, 15-kilometer, and 5-kilometer stages, with additional competitions for athletes under 16 on a 1500-meter course. Every child who participated in the race received a medal, celebrating their achievements.
Gendarmerie athlete Erkan Çiftçi, representing the Gendarmerie Power Sports Club, emerged victorious in the 5-kilometer men’s category. Speaking about his win, Çiftçi said, “I participated last year and came first in the 60-kilometer race. This year, I finished second in the 15-kilometer race and first in the 5-kilometer race. The organization is excellent, and I’d like to thank everyone who contributed.”
In the 60-kilometer men’s race, Ali Güzdaş secured first place, Viktor Miroshnychenko came second, and Hüseyin Gümüş finished third. In the women’s 60-kilometer race, Yüsra Naz Balamut took first, followed by Tatyana Nikitina in second and Kateryna Veselkova in third.
The 24-kilometer men’s race saw Murat Orak take first place, Almir Jaresic in second, and Öner Karamersin in third. In the women’s category, Deniz Koyuncu claimed first place, with Nilay Özdemir second and Meral Cincil third.
In the 15-kilometer men’s race, Navil Shaimukhametov finished first, Erkan Çiftçi second, and Bahdan Ausiyuk third. In the women’s race, Rezeda Galyamova took first, Halide Kaya came second, and Anastasııa Eliseeva third.
The 14-kilometer men’s race saw Murat Orak take the top spot, followed by Pavel Lilia in second and Öner Karamersin in third. In the women’s 14-kilometer race, Sevgül Kaçak came first, Elizaveta Igoshina second, and Valeria Sergeeva third.
In the 5-kilometer men’s race, Erkan Çiftçi claimed first place, Ilia Nikitin finished second, and Joe Stone took third. In the women’s race, Ravza Aktan finished first, followed by Gökçe Bakar in second, and Valkona Yoana in third.
The event not only showcased the athletes’ endurance but also highlighted the stunning natural beauty of the Babadağ region, making it a successful and memorable race for participants and spectators alike.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiyede-babadag-ultra-maratonu-sona-erdi
Nationwide forest clean-up mobilizes thousands of volunteers
A large-scale forest clean-up campaign has taken place simultaneously across the country’s 81 provinces on Oct. 20.
Coordinated by the youth and sports and agriculture and forestry ministries, the event gathered young volunteers to boost environmental awareness and promote the protection of forests.
The clean-up which began at 11 a.m., saw significant participation from university students, non-governmental organizations, municipalities and private sector representatives. Various public institutions also joined the effort.
The campaign is part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness about sustainable environmental practices. It focused on removing harmful waste from forested areas and ensuring proper recycling.
The initiative seeks to make a significant contribution to forest health and the conservation of Türkiye’s biodiversity, according to the Youth and Sports Ministry.
Key government officials, including Agriculture Minister İbrahim Yumaklı and Youth Minister Osman Aşkın Bak, participated in the effort.
Organizers stress the importance of carrying out the event before the winter snowfall, which will help prepare the forests for easier cleaning during the spring.
A similar initiative took place earlier this year.
The “My Forest” campaign removed 313 tons of garbage from forest areas in May, right before the summer season, when forest fires are most prevalent. The initiative was launched to combat fire hazards caused by accumulated dry branches and other debris. By reducing fire risks, the campaign helped protect vast stretches of woodland.
Göcek cleaning event marks Climate Change Fight Week
As part of Climate Change Fight Week, a significant environmental effort took place during the ‘Göcek Cleaning Event,’ where approximately 40 bags of waste were collected at four different locations: Yassıca, Boynuzbükü, Akbükü Bays, and the Büngüş Area.
The event was organized in collaboration with Port Azure Marina and received enthusiastic support from local environmentalist students. Their combined efforts contributed to cleaning these beautiful coastal areas, highlighting the importance of preserving natural habitats. Thanks to all the environmentally conscious citizens who participated and supported this initiative.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Amida Mound in Diyarbakır reveals 10,000 years of life in Türkiye
Excavations at the Amida Mound in Diyarbakır, Türkiye, have revealed continuous human settlement dating back 10,000 years, potentially making it one of the world’s oldest inhabited sites. Led by Professor İrfan Yıldız since 2018, the dig has uncovered artifacts from numerous civilizations, including the Hurri-Mitanni, Romans, and Ottomans.
Significant discoveries include ancient water channels, burial chambers, and tools. Evidence of multiple city fires dating back to 6764 B.C. was found, highlighting the region’s tumultuous history. Ongoing research suggests that settlement may extend back 11,000 years, positioning Amida Mound as a key site in human history.
Read more here: https://www.dailysabah.com/turkiye/amida-mound-in-diyarbakir-reveals-10000-years-of-life-in-turkiye/news
Global campaign launched to promote Bosphorus bluefish
Authorities have launched a global promotion campaign for the Bosphorus bluefish, known as the “prince of the Bosphorus,” following its recent geographical indication designation by TürkPatent. The campaign will include a dedicated website, social media presence, and multilingual promotional videos, highlighting the bluefish’s historical and cultural importance in Istanbul.
Prominent chefs, fishermen, and gourmets will contribute, showcasing the journey of bluefish from capture to dining. Efforts will also aim to prevent misuse of the bluefish’s geographical indication, with campaign materials available in both Turkish and English.
Read more here: https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/global-promotional-efforts-underway-for-bosphorus-bluefish-201658
Historic 400-year-old Assyrian bazaar in Mardin reopens after major restoration
The 400-year-old Assyrian bazaar in Mardin, located in southeastern Türkiye, has reopened after a comprehensive restoration as part of the “Street Health Project,” aimed at preserving and revitalizing the region’s rich cultural heritage. The project, coordinated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism alongside the Governor’s Office, the District Governor’s Office, and various institutions, reflects a commitment to safeguarding Mardin’s historical and architectural legacy, which has been shaped by countless civilizations.
During the reopening ceremony, Governor Tuncay Akkoyun emphasized Mardin’s historical significance, highlighting its role as a cultural crossroads and a symbol of coexistence among diverse communities. He praised the region’s unique blend of traditions and architecture, and noted that Dargecit, one of the oldest settlements in Mesopotamia, exemplifies this tradition of unity. “Our cultural heritage is not just about historic buildings but also our unity, solidarity, and sense of community,” Akkoyun said. He underscored the importance of preserving this heritage to ensure peace, which allows agriculture, trade, and tourism to flourish.
The restoration covered approximately 600 meters, focusing on key streets such as Safa Street, Kilic Street, Democracy Street, and Church Street. The project included the restoration of 62 shops, the demolition of eight unsightly concrete buildings, and upgrades to infrastructure, lighting, and insulation in registered shops. Additionally, 15 unregistered residential properties above the market underwent improvements, contributing to the area’s overall renewal.
District Governor Muhammed Enes Ipek highlighted the bazaar’s historical role as the center of trade and social life in the region. He expressed pride in the project’s success, which not only restored the physical space but also breathed new life into the district’s centuries-old traditions of trade, craftsmanship, and community interaction. The restoration aims to boost local tourism, create jobs, and attract new investment to the region, while preserving its historical identity.
The project is seen as more than a physical renewal; it is a revival of the area’s cultural spirit, fostering economic growth while maintaining Mardin’s historical character. The reopening of the Assyrian bazaar marks a key step in the ongoing development of the district, encouraging more residents to live, work, and invest in their hometown, while preserving its ancient cultural legacy for future generations.
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor update.
Fethiyespor
Ziraat Cup
Fethiyespor play Bornova 1877 away on Tuesday 29th October. Kick off is at 13:30.
League Match Results
Fethiyespor lost their home match against Adana 01 FK on Sunday. The final score was 1-2.
Fethiyespor drops to 10th position in the league table.
League Matches
Saturday 26th October away against Altınordu. The kick-off time is at 15:30.
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Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 44.53 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 44.80 TL.
The US Dollar bought 34.12 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 34.28 TL.
The Euro bought 37.10 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 37.53 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
