Here we are again to introduce one of the most spectacular events of Istanbul, the Tulip festival. Normally from April 10 to May 5 we will have the opportunity to admire the magnificent colors of tulips in every part of Istanbul.
During the festival there will be concerts, Ebru workshops, as well as photorgraphy and painting exhibitions. You can also purchase these special neil garden tulip bulbs or tulips grown in pots from their place of origin.
Aside from the wonderful appearance that these flowers give the town, another goal is to return to Istanbul its tulips, which have always been a symbol of the city. In fact, tulips were brought to Europe by the Turks, more specifically from Kazakhstan via Holland from the trade arrangements of the Ottoman Empire. The depictions of tulips are a recurring motif in very many works of art created during the Ottoman period.
All tulip bulbs planted for the festival come from Turkey; specifically from the village of Çumra (Konya) and some small towns near Istanbul. In this way, the municipality intends to give financial support to local growers. This year more than 11 million tulips in 112 varieties were planted in various parts of the city. The flowering period is a little late because of a cold and early spring, but will still go as said by mid-April in mid-May.
The slogan of the festival is “The Tulips Come Home” referring to the journey that these flowers have made in past centuries from Turkey to the Netherlands in order to earn a worldwide reputation. However, the festival is also criticized by some citizens, given that the municipality spends huge amount of money to buy and plant millions of bulbs. The critics point out that, despite the fact that the tulips are grown in Turkey and the money stays within the country; within a month the flowers fade and then become garbage. In a city like Istanbul which faces many problems, to spend so much money on something so ephemeral perhaps not the best investment.
On the other hand, the city government defends the project, insisting that the cultivation and transplantation of flowers provides jobs for many people. Besides, the colorful atmosphere brings joy to people and increases the love for Istanbul felt by its inhabitants. They also says it encourages the preservation of ecology because people will be attracted to the beauty of the tulips and come out and visit our many parks, thus spending money on them. In this way it is possible to cover the costs incurred in just 10 days. In addition, when the flowers wither, their petals can be used as food dyes, which represent an additional economic income for the country.
We, at Scoprire Istanbul, advise you to admire the tulips inside the Emirgan Parkı, the best place to enjoy the Festival. Among the other parks, we can list: Gülhane Parkı, Yıldız Parkı, Soganli Bitkiler Parkı, Beykoz Korusu, Goztepe Gül Bahçesi, Büyük Çamlıca Korusu, Küçük Çamlıca Korusu, Fethipaşa Korusu, and Hidiv Çubuklu Korusu.
Here is the reference website of the festival: Istanbulunlalesi.com
