Turkey: Lake Cildir to host 5th int'l winter festival
Eastern Anatolia's second largest lake will host various events like mounted archery, javelin throw and wrestling
Lake Cildir, the second largest lake of the eastern Anatolian region, is preparing to bring back the old Turkish traditions in an annual international winter festival in February.
The 5th International Cildir Crystal Lake Festival will be held in Cildir district of Ardahan on Feb. 10.
"We invite everyone to Cildir on Feb. 10. The lake will come to life with the festival which includes events such as horse-drawn sleigh rides [on the frozen lake], mounted archery, javelin throw and wrestling," Mayor Yakup Azizoglu told Anadolu Agency on Friday.
Describing the lake as a significant tourism center, Azizoglu noted an increase in the number of tourist reservations for the festival.
"There will be a high level of participation, including domestic and foreign tourists. We have received a large number of reservations," he said.
The winter festival, which was launched in 2013 in an attempt to promote winter tourism in the region, is expected to attract a large number of visitors to the area.
