Yayladağı hosts traditional Aba wrestling festival in Hatay

The 24th Traditional Yayladağı Culture, Arts, and Aba Wrestling Festival was held in the Yayladağı district of Hatay, Turkey. The event brought together representatives from the Turkic world, including diplomats, ambassadors, and officials from the Organization of Turkic States.

Notable attendees included Binali Yıldırım, President of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States, and Ziya Öztürkler, Speaker of the TRNC Assembly. During the event, Binali Yıldırım emphasized the cultural significance of wrestling, stating, "Wrestling is our history, our culture. Wrestling is bravery, courage, and morality." He also noted that regional variations in wrestling, such as aba wrestling in Hatay, reflect a shared cultural richness.

Yıldırım also commented on the reconstruction of Hatay following the major earthquakes, noting that the city has been rebuilt and strengthened over the last three years.