Taşköprü Garlic Festival draws thousands, overwhelms town

The 36th International Taşköprü Culture and Garlic Festival began on 4 August in Taşköprü, Kastamonu Province, Turkey, and runs for six days. Daily attendance reaches tens of thousands, filling the town’s streets, creating kilometre‑long vehicle queues at the entrance and leaving little space for pedestrians.

Major Turkish pop acts—including Atiye, Sefo, Bengü, Edis, Ümit Yaşar and Resul Dindar—performed on stage, while the festival also hosted competitions for garlic, calves and lambs. A jury selected the top three garlic bulbs from 80 entries, naming İsmail Demirtaş, Mehmet Acar and Hüseyin Altan as winners. Similar contests crowned the best calves and lambs.

Additional events featured a kite‑flying celebration at the ancient Pompeiopolis archaeological site and an exhibition of artifacts uncovered during 25 years of excavations. Mayor Hüseyin Arslan and local officials praised the festival’s cultural and economic impact, highlighting its role in promoting regional heritage and tourism.