Every year, Edirne, better known as Adrianople, becomes a Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling host. This is the world’s longest-running sport, not including disciplines from the Olympic games. Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling is also the property of the World Heritage of UNESCO. 

In the tournament, the opponents, who are lubricated in oil, fight each other to determine the strongest fighter.

As someone said, 

Potential is interesting, performance is everything.

History

As far as we know, Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling has existed since 2650 BC. It has its origins in Greece and Egypt, where some bodies of evidence were found. One piece of evidence was a painting in a wrestler’s tomb and a tiny piece of bronze, which was spotted nearby. Another proof that oil wrestling has existed since ancient times is a cartoon, drawn in a tomb in Egypt. This cartoon describes the essential steps of oil wrestling.

Oil wrestling soon became popular and spread throughout Iran, the Greco-Roman Empire, and some other locations. Since 1924, Edirne has been home to Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling. Each year, about 300 oil wrestling games attract about ten million visitors. Oil wrestling became one of the sports supported by the Turkish Federation of Traditional Sport Branches in 1996; it was established the same year by the Ministry of Turkey. In other countries, oil wrestling has also become a very popular sport.

Prohibited list for the participants

Only male contestants are allowed to take part in the competition. Their religion, race, level of training, and other things are not important to the judges. One needs to perform better than the other competitors to win. The rewards for a winner are the golden belt and the title of the ultimate winner.

Rules and regulations 

The only part of the uniform to be worn is a kispet, or leather trousers. All uniforms must fit men well. The competition always starts with a prayer on Friday. 

Then, in Sarayiçi—the historical and symbolic area of the city—around 2,000 warriors prepare for the battle. Before the start, each one needs to be covered in olive oil. Athletes compete in pairs: they enter the fighting field together to folk and drum music. One needs to take three steps back, then three steps forward. Some other rituals include special positions in which certain parts of your body should remain before the battle. 

With the last step and bidding defiance,

Bring it on, Wrestler!

the opponents start fighting. A man who carries his opponent 3 steps forward, pulls his trousers down, or makes him sit or lie on the ground, or even raises him in the air, wins!

The hardest part of the contest is to grab your opponent by any part of his body for the oil makes the skin slippery and adds some more complexity to the fight. 

Before 1975, a fight was to be continued until one won; it could have lasted for hours or even days. Now, wrestling is limited to 30–40 minutes, depending on the category.

Visiting Turkey: What else to see on your way to Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling?

If you’re planning to attend the competition, there are plenty of other things to do in Turkey. This country is worth visiting and exploring the local culture. 

Istanbul, the capital of Turkey, located less than half an hour away from Kirkpinar, is a treasure trove of emotions. A sightseeing tour is definitely worth a shot. On the first day, you will see the ancient architecture, such as the Serpentine Column and the famous Grand Covered Bazaar. On the second day, you will explore the Princes’ Islands, an archipelago off the coast of Turkey. There, you can relax on the beach or go look at Maiden’s Tower from the James Bond movies. This is a great location to observe the city yourself.

Further details 

Attending Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling? It begins on June 27th and ends on July 3rd, 2022. Make sure you have some time before coming to Edirne—and make the most of your vacation in Turkey!

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The main spiritual music event in the world is coming up soon – the Festival of World Sacred Music starts on 9 June, 2022 and will run for a dozen days.

The Festival of World Sacred Music, or le Festival de Fès des Musiques Sacrées du Monde, is held annually in the city of Fez (also spelled Fes) in Morocco. Intended to celebrate the diversity of spiritual music from different countries, the festival was founded in 1994 by a philanthropist Faouzi Skali and is now held under the auspices of King of Morocco Mohammed VI.

Another highlight of the festival is Fes Forum, first launched in 2001. It is an integral part of the festival, during which discussions on a relevant topic along the lines of faith, culture, and globalization take place. 

2001 was also the year when the Festival of World Sacred Music was recognized by the UN as one of the milestones contributing to the dialog between civilizations.

Mission of the festival

The Festival of World Sacred Music attempts to bridge cultural gaps, which separate different religions in mundane life by sharing music and art. Over the years of its existence, the festival has developed into an international source of philanthropy and support.

Another aim is to show the true spirit of Islam, its generosity, geniality, and peacefulness.

For over a week, various cultural events, discussion meetings, and soirees are held at numerous landmarks and around historical monuments of Fez. Representatives of different cultures come to Morocco to share their spiritual outlook through music.

What to look forward to

Every year, the Festival of World Sacred Music gathers many well-known musicians from communities of the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. The program varies greatly depending on the list of performers coming to Fez, and may include French classical music, Sufi music from India and Pakistan, chorales and hymns from Great Britain, Japanese taiko drums, cathedral music, or any other type of spiritual music from different countries.

Like a magnet, the Festival of World Sacred Music attracts famous artists from different cultures and backgrounds, who are united by their spiritual search. Shortlists of the past festivals include such prominent names as Joan Baez, Patti Smith, and Björk, to name a few. Budding talents are acknowledged here, too – the festival encourages new audacious projects by avant-garde artists, giving them a chance to shine and ground to gain a wider audience.

Daytime concerts usually take place in the Dar Batha Museum garden, while nighttime concerts are held at Bab al-Makina. There are free performances in the Boujloud Square, and after shows groups of musicians come to the gardens of Dar Tazi Palace.

The festival is not only about music: besides concerts, there are public lectures, exhibitions, workshops, and so much more.

City of Fez

Fez (or Fes) is the oldest imperial city in Morocco, a hub of traditional artists and artisans. It was founded in 789, but most of its monuments date back to XIII-XIV centuries. Fez was the capital of Morocco for at least three times during its history, and has served as the intellectual and cultural center of the country for many centuries. Fez and Marrakech are the oldest cities of the country and its first capitals – plan a visit there to explore the similarities.

Lively and welcoming at first sight, Fez keeps its secrets well. From the hilltops and tombs of the Merinid necropolis stretches a sea of copper roofs and light fortifications. They protect the sacred heritage of an era long gone. And this majestic historic city now houses the most spiritual festival in the world, a place to exchange cultures and opinions – the Festival of World Sacred Music.