Remnants of the Uzungöl Winter Festival

The first-ever Uzungöl Winter Festival took place between 23 and 25 January in Uzungöl, located in the Çaykara district of Trabzon. Over the three-day festival, Uzungöl transformed from its usual winter tranquility into a vibrant, crowded and lively atmosphere. The aim was not merely to host an event but to demonstrate that Uzungöl could become a strong cultural and tourist destination even during winter months; observing the activities on site makes it clear that this goal was achieved.

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The first day of the festival began with Kalandar, one of the important traditions of Black Sea culture. This opening ceremony, featuring local costumes, music and a procession, immediately conveyed that the festival was more than just a series of concerts. This culture-centered beginning became a defining element of the festival’s overall atmosphere.

The stage program was packed throughout the three days. Performers included Ayna, İsmail Türüt, Ekin Uzunlar, Merve Yavuz, Gökhan Tutum and DJ Burak Yeter.

This diversity demonstrated the festival’s inclusive structure, bringing together Black Sea music alongside other genres. By spreading concerts throughout the day, the festival grounds remained lively from morning until night.

One of the most talked-about moments of the festival was the massive horon circle formed by thousands of participants.

Alongside stage events, winter games for children, sledding areas, local cuisine stalls and fire pits also attracted great interest. In this way, the festival offered a comprehensive program where participants of all ages found their own space.

I attended the festival on 24 January, its second day, and stayed until the Ayna concert. When I arrived in Uzungöl, there was a large crowd of visitors from various cities across Türkiye. It was clearly evident that the local community had embraced the festival. The scale of participation in such a first-time event was remarkable.

^{Uzungöl (Photo: Yeşim Can)}

Traffic congestion was notable, especially for those arriving by private vehicle. The long journey and occasional delays were tiring, highlighting one area requiring improvement. However, once visitors reached the festival grounds, the atmosphere largely erased any fatigue.

The site was bustling throughout the day. The concert stage, activity zones and especially the fire pits were constantly full. Despite the cold weather, people spent long hours at the venue, demonstrating the strength of the social atmosphere created by the festival. People gathered around the fires, easily striking up conversations even with strangers, adding an authentic warmth to the event.

The excitement at the venue intensified noticeably when Ayna took the stage on the evening of 24 January. The concert area was completely full, and attendees sang along together to every song. In a snowy setting, seeing such a large crowd move in unison to the same rhythm became one of the festival’s most memorable moments.

Overall, despite being held for the first time, the Uzungöl Winter Festival successfully established a strong organizational structure and a clear, distinctive festival atmosphere.

While traffic and transportation remain areas needing improvement, the variety of activities, cultural depth and the social bonds formed among participants outweighed these shortcomings.

It marked a significant beginning in demonstrating that Uzungöl can be a vibrant and appealing destination even during winter months. If developed and continued in future years, the festival has clear potential to become a lasting and powerful winter event for the region.

I thank everyone who contributed to making this event a reality. Experiencing such an atmosphere in Uzungöl and being part of this process was truly valuable to me.