This winter I discover the Gulf of Gokova region and Akyaka, a picturesque town on the famous south coast for son unique architecture and ideal kitesurfing conditions. In summer it can get very crowded car the city has become one of the hottest holiday destination, however, in Akyaka winters are extremely pleasant, equipped with coves, empty sandy beaches and the Swiss chalet-like architecture the city is famous for. Up to just a few decades ago, Akyaka was considered part of of Gökova, although he has made such a name for himself as he is now more well known as the gulf where it is located on.
the gulf of Gokova is famous for its spectacular crystal clear sea and its regularly visited coves on Blue Cruise Voyages and encompasses a number of villages of who is Akyaka just onethough special. All of Gökova region is famous for son farming and for home to once sleepy villages, now home to boutique hotels and one of kite beaches surf the most popular in the world. little do people know that the region’s “golden sesame” is also famous all over the world. In fact, local tradition holds that the region Sesame seeds are among the most sought after by Japan for use in sushi and other culinary items.
However, in 2011, Akyaka joined rows of Citta Slow, which is part of of the Slow Food movement that promotes the improvement of your quality of life by slowing down down the pace, reducing your carbon footprint and consuming local, farm-to-table food. There are 34 Slow Food organizations throughout Turkey, including in many cities in Anatolia and the Black Sea as well as a number located along the west coast. Numerous of these Slow Food organizations hold regular local markets with Sığacık, Bademler, Foça, Tarsus and Gökova being just some of their. For those in Istanbul, the Şile Yeryüzü Pazarı, which stands on Fridays and Sundays are another special treat well worth effort to visit especially if the sun is shining.
slow food community in Gökova I believe is special. Departure in December of 2021, with the goal of preserving the region’s biodiversity and introducing local farms and brands to the communitythe Slow Food Community Market in Gökova has taken off and now takes place every third Sunday of the month. I happened to visit the most recent market tenuous on Sunday February 20 and I have to admit that the experience was so far more exciting than I could have ever imagined.
the event kicked off at 11 o’clock, with 60 stalls organized with art selling a wide variety of unique some products. Surprisingly displayed products ranged from natural products beauty dye creams, special locally sourced fresh and dried herbs, teas and huge bulbous artichokes in in addition to filled tables with mushrooms and snacks like rolled pastries main and gluten-free cakes. The elusive golden sesame can also be sourced to this market ground up like tahini, which is just one of the many sauces and syrups used in Turkish cuisine.
the market also offers many herbs sought after by expats community like lemongrass. My friends who also Came to the event circulated and shared their discoveries, which also heirloom seeds included of corn, melon and squash. Each brand and farm had its own story say and each was based in the gulf of Gokova region.
At this particular Slow Food event there was also live music to be played on margins. well-known DJ and music therapist Dimitrios of Musical Medicine was joined by skilled local musicians giving the market the band-son the most enchanting and ethereal to boot. the already healing energy peaked when special guest Atilla Manju, cousin of Turkish legend Barış Manço, took The scene playing blues guitar and vocals in a voice who could surpass Johnny Cash. At that time, almost everyone was dancing, from villagers to hipsters, children to the older crowd – even my dog joined in!
Numerous of us set up camp on The suburbs of the market with portable chairs and a little picnic-like bring into place with, of of course, Turkish tea and traditional treats like keshkek, prepared by past local villagers. It was the local villagers who obtained up slow dancing to the potpourri of jazz and blues that peaked off the event for me.
The Gökova Slow Food Market will continue to take place on the third sunday of each month. All year in October, the organization also organizes nearly 10 days event with stalls, shows and activities, such as workshops on make sourdough bread. Slow Food Market in Gökova is just one of numerous events organized by the Slow Food Communities of Turkey that you can follow on social media.
For example, every April, Slow Food Bodrum holds a multi-day cheese festival in the outdoor mall Oasis. So what, of of course, there’s Terra Madre Day, celebrated every year on December 10, to commemorate the signing of the Slow Food Manifesto in Paris in 1989. Since then, the global movement is celebrated throughout the world on this date.
