- ANZAC Week Goreme Cappadocia -
09.05.2003 18:36:36
From the 27th of April to the 4th of May 2003, the town of Goreme in central Turkey
played host to its first annual ANZAC week, culminating in a huge
public party on the evening of the 4th.
Foreign Community Goreme
The celebrations kicked off with the unveiling of a new ANZAC memorial and water fountain in the newly-created Peace Park in the centre of town. The Mayor of Goreme and a contingent of other local dignitaries stood alongside a large number of ANZAC tourists and people from the Goreme community to welcome this new initiative to build alliances between Turkish and ANZAC peoples.
Local Foreigner Claire Uhr
The Governors speech was short and moving:
Dear Guests, Friends of Goreme and Press
We have built this little park for our Turkish and foreign visitors a park in which to rest. But we wanted this park to have meaning and it is with this in mind that we reflected upon ANZAC Day and its importance for us all. And with all the other past and current wars that have raged around the world, we thought we would dedicate this park to peace. And so we named it Peace Park.
Moreover, our tourism collective have declared the 27th of April to the 4th of May as ANZAC week in Goreme. The war in Cannakale fostered a mutual love and respect among the Turkish and ANZAC peoples and so we have built the base part of this statue as a fountain in memory of those who suffered from thirst in this war and indeed anywhere in the world. We have named it the ANZAC fountain.
The Cannakale war, fought from the 18th March 1915 to the 9th of January the following year, was one of the most important battlefronts of World War 1. It changed the history of the world. And so it was that our grandfathers fought against each other. After the war, we exchanged hostility for heartfelt friendship. Ataturk aptly described this in his famous speech about the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who lost their lives in Gallipoli.
You, the heroes who have shed your blood in this country
You are in a land of friends
Rest in Peace
You are side by side with the Mehmets of our country
Mothers who sent their sons to faraway lands to fight
Shed no more tears
Your sons are close to our hearts
They are lying in peace
After they lost their lives in this country
They became our sons
For the lovely people who come from all over the world, Cappadocia is a place of great and world-renowned heritage. This area, where history and nature meet, belongs to all of us. And we are happy to share our park and fountain too. I hope it will be useful and admired by all .
I respectfully salute you.
Unveiling of ANZAC Statue
After his speech, translated into English for the tourists by local foreigner Claire Uhr, an Australian and New Zealand representative were chosen from the crowd to cut the ribbon and unveil the statue.
ANZAC Statue
Local artisan Ramazan Ekici`s
ANZAC memorial -
the finished piece
Testing the new Peace Fountain
A local Turkish dance group
Local Folk Band, Duygu, serenaded the large crowd before everyone walked up the hill above the Goreme valley to watch the sunset.
People on their way from town centre
to the ANZAC party valley
The crowd then wound their way down amidst the fairy chimneys to the amazing natural setting of Zemi Valley to begin the ANZAC outdoor party, complete with fireworks, cinevision, live music, bonfires and a selection of top local DJs.
Free food & drinks for all !
Free music, dancing, food and drink was provided by the Goreme Community, with all companies and locals pitching in to make the party something for everyone to enjoy. Locals and tourists danced side by side, and the celebrations went long into the night.
Open air ANZAC Party, Lasershow & fireworks
happy people
happy people
happy people
happy people
The Goreme community wishes to make this an annual event
and promises it to be bigger and better in 2004.
Goreme town in Cappadocia
Goreme town in Cappadocia at night
ANZAC Week 2004 from Saturday 01.05.2004
to Saturday 08.05.2004 in Goreme Cappadocia
Open air festival in Zemi valley Sat 08.05.2004
For more information, please visit:
ANZAC Guide Cappadocia
and:
www.goreme.org
Photographer: Metin Yidirim
Foto Taç Avanos
(next to SOFRA Restaurant)
acknowledge:
by Claire Uhr
http://www.anzacday.info
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