At the Cappadocia Fair, medieval enthusiasts congregate. This is an annual event in Cappadocia that unites history and fantasy fans from Turkey and elsewhere has developed from a love of the Middle Ages that started with stories from infancy.
Muammer Erinal, 60, who graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at Yıldız Technical University in 1987, has spent 24 years living in the Nevşehir neighborhood of Ürgüp. Erinal transformed his fascination with the medieval era into a four-day festival that takes place every September, drawing inspiration from stories his mother recounted to him as a youngster.
In order to promote local tourism and establish a gathering place for individuals who share his interests, Erinal started the event in 2023 after buying and renovating an old building in Ürgüp into a restaurant with a medieval theme. Social media is used to invite participants, who come from all around Turkey and other nations.
Many guests prepare historically inspired outfits and accessories over the course of months of research.
“I used to draw little heroes for myself and make them fight and talk on cardboard horses,” Erinal said. “I have essentially turned that childhood dream into reality.”
Since its inaugural edition, when artists from El Salvador and Mexico joined attendees from all over Turkey, he claimed the fair has expanded dramatically. He claimed that thousands of people, including tourists from other countries, attended this year.
Ada, Erinal’s architect daughter, stated that Cappadocia‘s unique topography makes it especially well-suited to the idea, with its dramatic surrounds and stone buildings generating an ambiance hard to replicate in big towns.
The event provides attendees with a sense of community as well as a respite from contemporary life. Every year, Deniz Apaydın, who visits from Eskişehir, says she feels as though she has been transported to another era.
Rafael Bukov from Russian stated he decided to visit for the first time after discovering the fair. “This is an incredible atmosphere,” he said, describing the costumes and crowds as “fun and exciting.”
Source: Hurriyet Daily News
Please click the link for Turkish Property for Sale
