Afşin hosts 48th Eshab-ı Kehf Culture and Karakucak Wrestling Festival

The 48th Eshab-ı Kehf Culture and Karakucak Wrestling Festival is being held on August 23, 2026, at the Ergün Ertekin Grass Wrestling Field in Afşin. The event celebrates a nearly five-decade tradition of local wrestling.

The festival is described as a significant cultural event that preserves regional memory and values such as patience, courage, and respect for opponents. Notable historical wrestlers mentioned in the context of Afşin's wrestling heritage include Bekir Böke, Bayram Böke, Serdal Böke, and Avni Tarhan. The local administration, led by Mayor Koray Kıraç, is noted for its support of the tradition.