Ankara City Council (AKK) Culture and Arts Assembly organized a meaningful event for the crocus flower, one of the important symbols of the capital and known as the harbinger of spring. The event, which was held with the theme of “Ankara’s Crocus Wedding”, hosted an exhibition and a musical concert, while the local delicacy “Crocus Pilaf” was served to the participants.
Crocus Flower Adds Color to AKK
The “Ankara’s Crocus Wedding” event held at the AKK Youth Park Reception Hall highlighted the beauty and cultural importance of the crocus flower, a valuable part of Ankara’s flora. The exhibition themed around the crocus flower, one of the capital’s symbolic values, was appreciated by the participants, while the local “Crocus Pilaf” treat prepared by the chefs of the Turkish Chefs Federation added a different flavor to the event.
President Yilmaz: “Crocus Flower Festival is Spring’s Own Festival”
Ankara City Council President Halil İbrahim Yılmaz emphasized that the Çiğdem Festival, which heralds spring, is one of the most beautiful examples of the Turkish traditions in Anatolia intertwining with nature. Yılmaz said, “The Çiğdem Festival is also the most obvious emphasis of the respect for the soil, water, air, the crops we plant, the product, the production, and the values that are added to life. The crocus flower festival is the festival of spring itself. No matter how much you pluck, no matter how you pluck, it is the messenger that no power can prevent the arrival of spring. It is love, affection, upright and honorable stance. That is why it is important for us and we organize festivals, festivities and holidays for its arrival.”
Kaya: “Crocus Flower is the Flower of Differences”
AKK Culture and Art Assembly President Alper Kaya stated that they will continue their efforts to protect Ankara's intangible cultural heritage. Kaya said, “The crocus flower is the flower of differences. 'Crocus says I'll Take It' and we are organizing this event so that this crocus flower is more embraced in Ankara. We had also stated in the AKS 101 reports that we would protect Ankara's cultural codes. We have the flower of love, we will organize an event for it too.”
Yahnici: “This Work Will Contribute to Ankara’s Brand Values”
AKK YİK President Şevket Bülend Yahnici stated that they have been working for Ankara to regain its cultural values for many years and said, “This event is the revival of Ankara’s usurped values in many areas such as culture, music, gastronomy. We have struggled to find, take, and keep these values alive for 40 years. Our aim under the roof of Ankara City Council is for Ankara to regain its brand values. I believe that this work will contribute to the struggle for Ankara to regain its brand values.”
Özaslan's "Crocus Festival" Proposal
Ankara Club Association President Metin Özaslan suggested that a crocus festival be held in Ankara and said, “I would like to thank Ankara City Council for this meaningful event. Ankara, the heart of Türkiye; is tired of politics, economy, bad weather, black, gray… It was necessary to add some color. Our Ankara crocus is one of the most vibrant colors of Ankara. Ankara crocus is our women. Ankara crocus is the most important value of our Ankara. Why shouldn’t we hold the Crocus Festival, which is the spring festival of the Hittites? Why shouldn’t there be a spring festival in our city? Also, ‘Crocus and Children’s Festivals’ can be held in our city during these months. Crocus is one of our most important beauties that will adorn the image of Ankara.”
Karakaya: “Cigdem Toyu and Crocus Pilaf are a Cultural Value”
Ankara Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Erhan Karakaya emphasized that transferring and keeping alive Ankara’s intangible cultural heritage is their primary duty, and said, “Çiğdem toyu and çiğdem pilaf are also cultural values for Ankara. I hope we will organize this event on a larger scale in the coming years. Let us also carry out our work to keep such a cultural heritage alive. I would like to thank Ankara City Council for this meaningful work.” This meaningful event of Ankara City Council was a good example of the efforts to protect the natural and cultural riches of the capital and to pass these values on to future generations.
