The presence of the olive tree, which is referred to as the "immortal tree" in mythology and has become a "symbol of bridge" over the ages, was stronger than ever at the 18^th Ayvalık International Olive Harvest Festival.

 

Görkem Baygın, Setur Marinas Ayvalık Front Office Representative

 

Ask anyone and they will describe Ayvalık with olives and call it a paradise of olive oil. That is because olive trees have been both a source of livelihood and a way of life in the region. You can already feel the presence of olives as soon as you step into the borders of Ayvalık. You think it's just an olive tree, but when you touch it, you realize its magic.

 

So what distinguishes Ayvalık olives from others? North winds from Mount Ida and the soil structure unique to the region. Hence, when you taste Ayvalık olives and olive oil, you will sense the scent of artichokes, unripe almonds, and green tomatoes. You can immediately notice that it is more fluid and you can feel the intensity. Experiencing bitter and sweet at the same time is exactly what Ayvalık olives can do for you. Then you become addicted to the healing it provides.

 

 

Having become a tradition for the people of the region, the Ayvalık International Olive Harvest Festival is held every year to protect this valuable asset and to keep alive the district's refugee culture, architecture and gastronomy. This year's festival, which started on October 13th, welcomed foreign and local visitors of Ayvalık for a week with various activities.

 

 

The festival started with the first olive harvest and olive pressing on Cunda Alibey Island and an olive appreciation walk, and continued with children's activities including the Creative Technologies Workshop of Sabancı University. The festival featured food tastings and conferences on various topics, and this year the First Harvest Oil Auction was also held to support the region affected by the earthquake. 

 

 

Enthusiasts were provided information at olive and olive oil tasting stands set up in a certain area, accompanied by the sounds coming from the concert area. There were also many sports activities in the program, from yoga exercises to various water sports. Ender Saraç provided exquisite information to the visitors at the festival with his presentation on "The Miracles of Olive Leaves, Oil and Nuclei", attended by many famous names.

 

 

The International Olive Harvest Festival proved once again that Ayvalık is one of the regions that has represented olives since the proclamation of the Republic. The famous words of the olive tree were once again engraved in our minds: Protecting me is protecting yourself!

 

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Photographs: Görkem Baygın