Sakarya Culture Road Festival draws crowds with traditional arts and children's programs

The sixth edition of Turkey's Culture Road Festival was held in Sakarya, offering a wide range of traditional‑art workshops such as miniature painting, ceramic (çini) making, clay shaping and calligraphy, as well as a dedicated "Children's Village" with digital and classic games, science activities and literature talks. A Turkish folk‑music concert at the Adapazarı Culture Centre showcased regional songs, while a separate weaving workshop revived carpet and kilim techniques. Participants, from women and children to senior artisans, praised the hands‑on sessions; weaving instructor Safiye Güzel noted that many called the experience "therapy" and highlighted the transmission of centuries‑old techniques to younger generations.

According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the festival’s events have boosted local hotel occupancy, restaurant spending and souvenir sales by roughly 32 % during the program period. The series, launched in Istanbul in 2021 and now a member of the European Festivals Association, is credited with strengthening Turkey’s cultural brand and supporting the production economy of local craftsmen and artists.