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Cultural Interest

Every summer the mountain plateaus of this region come alive with traditional festivals celebrating everything from tea and hazelnut harvests to oil wrestling, music and folklore.  They are truly an authentic taste of the Eastern Black Sea experience.

 Horon  (photo courtesy www.taaca.org)    

The Horon is a Black Sea dance performed by a chain of men or women who form a line or semi-circle  The dancers link arms and perform movements that resemble a rapid shoulder shimmy plus trembling of the entire body accompanied by squats all to the sound of the kemenche, an instrument that approximates the sound of a hillbilly fiddle. The dance movements are characteristic of the 'hamsi' (hahm-see, 'anchovy') that is fished from the Black Sea in abundance during the winter months.  It is said the dancers simulate the wiggling of the fish either swimming or struggling to free themselves from the fisherman's net.

Sample a lively music clip from this vibrant region.    (courtesy www.tulumbra.com)

Turkish tea ('çay' [chai]) is served everywhere in small tulip-shaped glasses.  The reason for the clear glass is to enable the tea preparer to judge the strength of the tea being served.  It can be requested in one of three strengths: normal, weak ('açık' [ah-chick]) or strong ('koyu' [koy-you]).  Clear amber tones, full-bodied flavor and rich in antioxidants, a cup of Turkish tea is a refreshing and delightful "nature's pick me up".

The tea plant thrives in the Eastern Black Sea climate.  Tea leaves are harvested by hand three times a year in May, July and September.  The tea leaves are processed and blended locally.  It requires approximately six pounds of freshly-picked tea leaves to produce one pound of dry tea.

Find out more about Turkish tea. 

Oil Wrestling    (photo courtesy Artvin Tourism Directorate)

The mountain plateau festivals provide a perfect venue for the unusual and entertaining sport of Turkish oil wrestling ('yağlı güreş' [yah-li goo-resh]).  This rigorous form of wrestling has been a tradition for centuries.  The participants range from young boys to middle aged men.  A grassy field, special calf-length leather breeches, and an olive oil/water blend are all that is required to get these guys sparring for the prize.

Explore the cultural heritage of Turkish oil wrestling.

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