Erzurum, with its rich history and culture, is the eighth stop on the Türkiye Culture Road Festival. Running from Aug. 17 to 25, this festival highlights the city’s unique heritage and is part of a 16-city tour aimed at boosting Türkiye's cultural presence globally.
Before diving into the details of the festival, I'd like to share some personal observations from my time in Erzurum. The city greeted me with a refreshing coolness, with nighttime temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit) and daytime highs of 23 degrees Celsius. The sun was out, but it lacked the intense heat of Istanbul.
Erzurum is a beautiful city where everything feels close and accessible. My hotel was just a 20-minute drive from the airport, and no destination took more than 25 minutes to reach. However, there was some traffic at night.
The city’s simple architecture impressed me, the buildings were no taller than eight floors, with beautiful homes that honor cultural heritage while adding modern touches. This mix of old and new was also found in the shops and markets, where Erzurum’s rich culture meets modern life. Before the event began, I had the opportunity to explore the Erzurum Museum and take a guided tour.
Let me take you to the beginning of the festival, where the press conference was held at the museum. It was an awesome, small museum filled with cultural treasures. What I appreciated most were the detailed cards explaining each item in both Turkish and English.
The p.