The ‘Ankara Rize Days’ festival, held at Başkent Millet Bahçesi from May 7th to May 10th, officially opened with the attendance of Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu and Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak. AK Party Deputy Chairman Hayati Yazıcı also joined the opening ceremony. The event aims to promote the culture and traditions of Rize in the capital.
Opening Ceremony and Cultural Highlights
The opening program included a vibrant folklore show, the ‘Tea Symphony,’ and the ‘From the Chest to the Stage’ fashion show, captivating the attendees. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Ministers Bak and Memişoğlu toured the various stands, interacting with participants and examining local products. A notable activity was the ‘EtapRize Bicycle Tour,’ where both ministers joined citizens for a bike ride, emphasizing healthy living and community engagement.
Investments in Sports and Youth in Rize
Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak highlighted the significant investments made in Rize’s sports infrastructure. He stated, “We are making investments in all districts of Rize, such as sports facilities and football halls, to ensure our children have access to sports.” Minister Bak further detailed ongoing projects, including the construction of Turkey’s most modern and versatile sports hall in Rize, which is nearing completion. Additionally, a semi-Olympic swimming pool is being built at the confluence of the İkizdere, Kalkandere, and İyidere districts. The minister also mentioned the construction of new dormitories and the renovation of existing facilities to meet current regulations, including a new sports hall for Fındıklı.
Minister Bak emphasized Rize’s potential as a sports city, noting its success in hosting various international sports events. “You all followed the UTMB, an ultra-marathon held in the Kaçkar Mountains to promote the region, attracting nearly 2,000 foreign runners at the end of September. We also hosted the World Snowmobile Championship and motorcycle races in Çayeli, along with off-road competitions. Rize is making significant investments in sports tourism across the region,” he added.
Turkey’s Growing Role in International Sports
Minister Bak also announced future plans, including a new youth camp in Ardeşen and an Olympic training facility in İkizdere for the Swimming Federation. He underscored the government’s commitment to youth development, stating, “Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 880,000 dormitories have been built across Turkey, accommodating nearly 1 million students with free breakfast and dinner. This demonstrates our President’s dedication to young people.”
Highlighting Turkey’s increasing prominence in international sports, Minister Bak proudly announced that the Formula 1 organization will be held in Istanbul for five years starting from 2027. Istanbul will also host the 2027 European Games, and Turkey will be the venue for the 2032 European Football Championship. The UEFA Europa League final is scheduled to take place in Istanbul on May 20th. “With the support of our President for athletes, Turkey is experiencing a period full of success as a sports nation. We will continue to work for a growing, developing, and strong Turkey,” Minister Bak affirmed.
Health and Community Focus
Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu expressed his pride as a native of Rize and emphasized the importance of a healthy society. “As a person from Rize, I want to particularly state that we work day and night with our great leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has made our country a global player over the last 24 years, to bring about a great vision of development and renewal,” Minister Memişoğlu said. He also highlighted the beauty of Rize, where green and blue meet, and thanked all those involved in organizing the event.
Minister Memişoğlu stressed the significance of promoting public health initiatives at such gatherings. “I am proud to be the 53rd Minister of Health to implement such a meeting, bringing together a smoke-free environment, organ donation, physical activity, and many other value-added elements for the future of society. Because a healthy society is a strong society. You must first appreciate your health and be healthy. I say, ‘Let’s quit smoking, let’s drink Rize tea,'” he concluded, advocating for healthier lifestyle choices.
The ‘Ankara Rize Days’ festival serves as a platform to celebrate Rize’s rich cultural heritage while also drawing attention to national development and public health initiatives. The event is expected to attract numerous visitors, further strengthening the bonds between different regions of Turkey.
Source: https://www.milliyet.com.tr/yerel-haberler/ankara/ankarada-rize-gunleri-basladi-7584266
