Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Türkiye.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
‘Fethiye Music Evenings’ Kick Off at Bahriye Üçok Park
The much-anticipated ‘Musical Fethiye Evenings’ began with a memorable night of music at Bahriye Üçok Park with performances by renowned artists Aysun Karasaçlı and Adem Kazan.
For those looking to enjoy more of these musical nights, here are the upcoming concerts and performances.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Mounted Gendarmerie Team Resumes Duty in Muğla’s Fethiye for Summer Season
The Gendarmerie’s horse team has resumed its duties in Fethiye’s Ölüdeniz District this year, as the area experiences a surge in local and foreign tourists. The mounted gendarmerie team, which was operational last year, has been reactivated for the summer season.
Three riders and three horse handlers from the Nevşehir Gendarmerie Horse and Dog Training Command have been temporarily assigned to Fethiye. The team, accompanied by their horses “Efe,” “Yetkin,” and “Volkan,” will patrol the coasts and beaches within their jurisdiction. Their responsibilities include patrolling Kumburnu and Belcekız beaches around the clock, protecting forest areas, and preventing theft.
The mounted unit has garnered significant attention from both local and international tourists, who often engage with the team and take souvenir photos. The riders, who are proficient in foreign languages, also provide security warnings to tourists during their patrols. Additionally, the horses will don special harnesses for evening patrols along Belcekız beach.
Source: https://www.muglagazetesi.com.tr/muglada-jandarmanin-atli-ekibi-bu-yil-da-gorev-basinda-163533h.htm
Farmers Play Crucial Role in Containing Aksu Forest Fire
A forest fire that broke out in Antalya’s Aksu district on Friday, was contained with the help of local farmers, who played a pivotal role in the firefighting efforts. The blaze, which damaged 12 hectares of forest, saw a swift and coordinated response from the Antalya Regional Forestry Directorate and local fire brigades, aided significantly by the community’s agricultural workers.
When the fire erupted in the Alaylı District, farmers immediately left their fields and rallied to protect their homes and farmlands. Armed with hoses, hoes, shovels, and axes, they entered the fire-stricken area with dozens of tractors equipped with water tanks, providing critical support to the professional firefighting teams.
The collective effort from both the firefighting teams and local farmers ensured that the fire was contained quickly, preventing further damage to the forest and nearby properties.
Source: https://www.muglagazetesi.com.tr/orman-yanginina-ciftci-filosuyla-mudahale-163514h.htm
Heavy downpour lashes Istanbul, Bursa
Sudden downpours in Istanbul and the northwestern province of Bursa caused major disruptions on Friday, with roads turning into lakes, traffic grinding to a halt and daily life paralyzed as citizens grappled with severe weather conditions.
Following the warnings issued by the Turkish State Meteorology Service, the European side of Istanbul experienced particularly heavy downpours.
Long vehicle queues formed in Istanbul’s Bahçelievler and Yenibosna districts, with drivers encountering difficulties navigating through traffic, which came to a halt in certain areas. With water puddles forming on the roads due to harsh weather, it further added to the woes of citizens trying to move their vehicles on jammed roads.
Heavy rains in the Marmara Region paralyzed life in Bursa. Meteorology officials announced that more than 100 lightning bolts were seen in 30 minutes in the city, where an average of 10 kilograms of rain fell per square meter. Some subway stations in the city were flooded.
Rivers in the city also experienced increased flow, which caused damage to buildings and vehicles located along riverbanks.
Citizens attempted to rescue their vehicles independently, while police teams were dispatched to implement safety measures in severely affected areas. Bystanders also assisted in rescuing individuals who were trapped inside their vehicles due to the flooding.
Source: https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/heavy-downpour-lashes-istanbul-bursa-198149
Traditional oil wrestling festival begins in Edirne
The 663rd Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival took place over the weekend in the northwestern province of Edirne with the newly determined preselection system for the first time in its history.
The historical festival, inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, is being held with a league system for the first time this year.
While 32 wrestlers are guaranteed to rank among the 40-person quota set for the chief wrestler’s category, the remaining eight will be determined as a result of the preselection matches in the Sarayiçi field of contest.
Meanwhile, chief wrestlers have issued a united statement, objecting to the new preselection process and demanding the rectification of the mistake.
“We, as the chief wrestlers, would like to inform you that we have decided not to wrestle in order to protest the arbitrary preliminary elimination arrangement organized by [The Turkish Traditional Wrestling Federation] TGGF, which disregards our Oil Wrestling tradition and prevents the chief wrestlers from competing in Er Square [the Sarayiçi field of contest], which has never occurred in our history of oil wrestling before,” read the joint statement.
The last day of the Kırkpınar festival, July 7, marked the finale of the competition, with the chief wrestler’s final wrestling match followed by the award ceremony.
Source: https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/traditional-oil-wrestling-festival-begins-in-edirne-198137
Antalya enhances wildfire monitoring systems
Renowned as the “green homeland” for its extensive forested areas, Antalya has bolstered its wildfire monitoring capabilities with cutting-edge technology. This western touristic hub of Türkiye, where 57% of the land is covered by forests, is now meticulously monitored through a combination of artificial intelligence-controlled cameras, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and an expanded network of observation towers.
The city has increased its number of wildfire observation towers from 37 last year to 42, strategically placing new towers in remote areas far from residential zones. This enhanced network aims to provide early detection and rapid response to potential wildfires, ensuring better protection for the region’s lush landscapes and touristic appeal.
Zafer Derince, the regional director of forestry in Antalya, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that Antalya is one of Türkiye’s most fortunate provinces in terms of forested areas.
Derince reported that the city hosts 1.18 million hectares of forests, with a per capita forest area of 4.7 square meters (50.59 square feet), exceeding the national average.
Highlighting the protection of vast forested areas through 42 observation towers, Derince stated: “From May to the end of October, our staff stands guard around the clock. They continuously monitor the forests and direct our smart cameras from the wildfire operations center, determining our intervention strategy against potential fires.”
Emphasizing the critical role of early intervention in firefighting, Derince added: “Observation towers are indispensable for early intervention. The staff here tirelessly keep watch day and night, ensuring the safety of our forests.”
Source: https://www.dailysabah.com/turkiye/ai-towers-ensure-antalyas-forests-stay-safely-green/news
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the sport update.
Fethiyespor continues training for the new season
Fethiyespor continues its training regimen to ensure the team is in peak condition for the new season. The club is aiming to build on its previous successes and make a strong impact in the upcoming season.
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UEFA EURO 2024
Netherlands Secure Semifinal Spot in Dramatic Comeback Against Türkiye
In a thrilling quarterfinal match, the Netherlands staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Türkiye 2-1 on Saturday, securing their place in the European Championship semifinals. The match, held at a packed stadium, saw intense action and high stakes as both teams vied for a coveted spot in the final four.
Türkiye initially took the lead with a powerful header from Samet Akaydin in the first half, putting the Dutch side under pressure. However, the Netherlands responded resolutely in the second half. Defender Stefan De Vrij equalized in the 70th minute, setting the stage for a tense conclusion.
Just six minutes later, an own goal by Türkiye’s Mert Müldür shifted the momentum decisively in favor of the Dutch. Müldür’s unfortunate misstep came in the 76th minute, sealing Türkiye’s fate and propelling the Netherlands into the semifinals.
The victory means the Netherlands will face England in the second semifinal in Dortmund on Wednesday. The first semifinal, set for Tuesday, will feature a clash between Spain and France.
Türkiye was notably without key defender Merih Demiral, who was suspended for two matches by UEFA. Demiral’s suspension came after he made a nationalistic hand gesture following his goal in Türkiye’s 2-1 win over Austria earlier in the tournament. The gesture, associated with Turkish nationalists and an ultra-nationalist group, drew significant controversy and disciplinary action.
We’ll be watching with bated breath in the hope that England can ‘bring it home!’
Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 41.85 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 41.38 TL.
The US Dollar bought 32.66 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 32.73 TL.
The Euro bought 35.45 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 35.09 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
