The "Olive and Olive Oil Festival," organized for the first time by the Manavgat Municipality, will begin tomorrow in Antalya's Manavgat District and will run from November 1-3.
MANAVGAT OLIVE AND OLIVE OIL FESTIVAL STARTS TOMORROW
In a pre-festival meeting with the press, Manavgat Mayor Dr. Niyazi Nefi Kara shared details on the upcoming Olive and Olive Oil Festival and his vision for the region's olive sector. The meeting was attended by CHP Antalya MP Sururi Çorabatır, MATSO President Seydi Tahsin Güngör, and other prominent officials.
"Manavgat Has High-Quality Olives"
Mayor Kara highlighted that the festival aims to promote Manavgat’s historical olive groves, some dating back 500–700 years, while boosting the industry’s value. He stated, “We aim to address the challenges facing olive and olive oil producers, understand their needs, and support the sector as best as we can.”
Unique Local Variety: The "Beylik Olive"
Manavgat is a rich region for olive cultivation, with around 50,000 acres of farmland and approximately 2 million olive trees, yielding around 50,000 tons of olives annually. Among the 11 varieties grown, the locally unique “Beylik Olive” stands out. Mayor Kara announced plans to apply for a geographical indication for Beylik olives, a distinctive, plump variety unique to Manavgat.
Olive as a Symbol of Peace and Heritage
Kara emphasized the importance of olives as both a cultural heritage and a national asset, saying, “The olive symbolizes peace, and it is integral to our culture and economy. Protecting olive trees and supporting the industry is not only of economic value but also our historical duty.”
Health Benefits Highlighted
As a physician, Mayor Kara underscored the health benefits of olive oil: “Olive oil supports heart health, aids digestion, and benefits brain and skin health. Accessible and affordable, it’s a vital part of a healthy lifestyle.”
Festival Highlights
The festival kicks off with a parade on November 1st at 10:00 AM at Manavgat Cumhuriyet Square, followed by an opening ceremony at the Atatürk Cultural Center. Highlights include:
Olive Tasting with TV host Ezgi Gözeger (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM)
Workshop by agriculture writer Mine Ataman, featuring academics discussing topics like olive production, branding, and nutritional significance.
"Olive and Olive Oil Forum" moderated by journalist Meliha Okur, featuring agriculture writer Ali Ekber Yıldırım on production, labor, and market trends.
The festival marketplace will showcase regional olives and olive oils at the Manavgat Cultural Center from November 1–3.
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