Indulge in the wonders of Turkish culture at Ottawa's annual festival
- Canada Travel Tips
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- Friday, 15 June 2012 17:07
The beauty and intrigue of the Turkish people will come alive in Canada's capital at this summer's Turkish Festival. Held in Confederation Park downtown, this massive gathering will highlight some of the best aspects of the Turkish community in Canada that celebrate it every year.
In 2007, the Ottawa Turkish Festival began as a one-day celebration and has since expanded into a large, multi-day occasion. During previous events, other nationalities have been represented as well that are also part of Eastern Europe including Bulgaria, Bosnia and Poland. According to the Ottawa Citizen, this year's events will take place in mid-July and are mostly free for the general public to attend.
Due to its popularity, part of the celebration has been broadcasted on local TV, and this year thousands attended to be part of the festival. Guests can be sure to see free dance shows and concerts at the park, where talented performers often don traditional garb and present classic tunes from Turkey. Last year on the main stage, acts like the Whirling Dervishes of Rumi and the Djerdan Bosnian Folk Dance Group were in the spotlight for their skills that honour historical art forms.
Interactive art booths show guests how to make custom crafts and learn about special trades. Some of the activities include Turkish wooden spoon making, Turkish calligraphy, paper marbling and henna body painting. When it comes to cuisine, some of the foods travellers can sample are flaky pastries (borek), a version of ravioli (manti) and a sweet Turkish layered dessert called baklava.
As the dates draw nearer, more information about the schedule of events will be posted on the festival's official website. While attendance is free, those who wish to be a part of special occasions, such as the Anatolian Night Concert, can purchase tickets online.
Travellers of all ages are welcomed to participate in the Turkish Festival, which can make for a fantastic event to experience while taking tours of Ottawa. Experiencing new traditions and cultures is a great way to spend holiday time, and Ottawa is full of opportunities to check out all summer long.
