| | | | As the festival was enthusiastically launched by the people of Terme and Gölyazı, a surprise visit added a spice of politics to the occasion with the appearance of Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz and his group of three ministers and MP’s. Yılmaz, in the district to attend ceremonies for launching the openings of a municipal building, a bridge and a statue of Ataturk, added an extra flavor and along with the intense heat, the festival provided excitement until the late evening hours on its first day.
There is considerable evidence as to the settlement of the Amazon warriors in the town of Gölyazı. The ruins on the little islands in the middle of Lake Simenlik are just some of the proof in this context. The gold ornaments and pottery pieces found on the islands are echoes of the legends of the tribes of women warriors that lived here so long ago.
Gölyazı Mayor Cemil Dürümlü explains the purpose of the festival by saying, “We grew up in this region with the legends of the Amazons. Foreigners come to learn about them. We want our own people to be aware of this legacy. Our festival is also a tribute to women. We are grateful to the provincial governorship for supporting us.”
A little bit of gossip on the side is in order here… We hear that the Terme municipality was no help to Gölyazı at all…
The people here are very happy with the festival. Gölyazı had the roads redone for the occasion and the residents look forward to more improvement on the infrastructure of their town.
The Amazon Festival is taking place on a large area 5-6 km to the north of Terme. Tiers have been arranged underneath large tents. Food and drinks, ice cream is available all around the area. There is a vast stage in the middle and performers galore.
The people of the region are very enthusiastic about the festival. From garden workers with kerchiefs to young girls wearing jeans, from elderly men to handsome young guys, everyone seems to be at the festival square.
On the first day of the festival a performance of folk dancing from local groups coming from surrounding provinces opened the activities. A panel on the Amazons, and then a boat trip and a picnic were the next events. The Antalya Municipality is presenting a play for the occasion.
The last day of the Festival, Sunday, promises to be the most colorful. There will be a “ladies only” archery contest, an all ladies horse race and the Samsun Institute of Handicrafts will be presenting a fashion show. There will also be regional dishes featured with Turkish folk, traditional and pop music as entertainment.
Turkey’s world champion in archery, Deniz Günay, is expected to attend the archery contest on Sunday. Young female horseback-riders are already practicing for their turn on the last day of the festival. I saw some on a very old and tired horse, trying it out as her Amazon ancestor did so many centuries ago. The girls were a little cautious, a little amateur on their horses, it appears, especially with their platform heels…
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Amazons conquer again
