Cerrah hosts large reunion for Karacaova exchangee descendants

Approximately 10,000 people gathered in the Cerrah neighborhood of İnegöl, Bursa, for the 11th Karacaova Exchangeees Reunion. The event brought together descendants, relatives, and friends of the populations who migrated from the Karacaova region of Thessaloniki to Turkey in 1923.

Participants traveled from various Turkish provinces, including İzmir, Çanakkale, Edirne, İzmit, and Balıkesir. The program commenced with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Atatürk Monument, followed by musical performances by the Edirne Municipal Band.

Former Mayor Bekir Kahyaoğlu noted that Cerrah serves as a significant settlement center where families from various Balkan regions, specifically Karacaova and Kocacık (located in present-day North Macedonia), have lived together and integrated for many years. He highlighted the historical connection of Kocacık to the lineage of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.