Author: Daily Sabah With IHA

In a remote village in northern Türkiye, an unusually high number of residents are deaf and unable to speak, and the condition is reportedly passed down through generations. Gökova, a rural neighborhood in Samsun’s Alaçam district, is home to around 20 households. In nearly every home, there is more than one person with hearing and speech disabilities. Local officials say the issue has persisted for decades and appears to affect each new generation. “Every household has more than one hearing-impaired person,” said Eyüp Tozun, the village head. “This has continued for generations. Even newborns are being born with the same…

In a remote village in northern Türkiye, an unusually high number of residents are deaf and unable to speak, and the condition is reportedly passed down through generations. Gökova, a rural neighborhood in Samsun’s Alaçam district, is home to around 20 households. In nearly every home, there is more than one person with hearing and speech disabilities. Local officials say the issue has persisted for decades and appears to affect each new generation. “Every household has more than one hearing-impaired person,” said Eyüp Tozun, the village head. “This has continued for generations. Even newborns are being born with the same…

Mesut Uz, a 70-year-old artisan from Gaziantep, has been crafting zurnas (a traditional Turkish woodwind instrument) using traditional methods for 60 years, keeping the profession alive. Gaziantep, located in the southeastern region of Türkiye, is known for its rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship, and Mesut Uz is a key figure in preserving one of its oldest traditions. For 60 years, Mesut Uz has been producing zurnas by hand in Gaziantep’s Copper Bazaar. He continues to do his work with passion. Despite advancing technology, he still prefers handcrafting the instruments. With the arrival of summer, which marks the beginning of wedding…

The Touristic Diyarbakır Express has launched its Ankara-Diyarbakır route for the 2025 season, offering an unforgettable travel experience for passengers eager to explore Türkiye’s cultural and historical riches. The train services running on the Ankara-Diyarbakır route contribute to both tourism and the regional economy. The Touristic Diyarbakır Express not only introduces Türkiye’s cultural heritage to a wider audience but also plays a significant role in promoting the cities it passes through, contributing to their economic development. Having made a big impact internationally by being featured in Time magazine’s “100 Greatest Places in the World” list in 2024, the Touristic Diyarbakır…

In the hills of Artvin’s Sarıbudak village, where tradition runs deep and bulls clash in glory, one Fenerbahçe fan is blending hometown pride with football passion. Ulaş Gülseçkin, a lifelong boğa güreşi (bull wrestling) champion and die-hard Fenerbahçe supporter, has raised a colossal, 800-kilogram (1,760-pound) bull he affectionately calls the Kadıköy Boğası – the Kadıköy Bull. Now, with his team in title contention, he’s planning an extraordinary gesture: bringing his prized bull all the way to Istanbul to celebrate a potential league championship beside the iconic Kadıköy Bull Statue. “I’m convinced Fenerbahçe will win the title this year,” Gülseçkin said.…

The first kittens of the year have been born at Van Cat Villa, a popular site visited by tens of thousands of local and international tourists every year. Efforts to preserve the Van cats – registered as a national breed in Türkiye and renowned globally – are continuing with great dedication. Known for their friendly nature, white silky fur, lion-like walk, bushy tails resembling foxes, heterochromatic eyes and love of water, Van cats are among the most iconic symbols of the city. The first kittens of 2025 have now opened their eyes. In the first round of births this year,…

During the nine-day Ramadan Bayram, also known as Eid al-Fitr, holiday in Diyarbakır, southeastern Türkiye, approximately 50 tons of registered liver kebab were consumed. Diyarbakır, home to 33 civilizations, including Hittites, Urartians, Assyrians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans, became a focal point for both local and foreign tourists during the Ramadan Bayram holiday. Visitors who chose the city as their holiday destination had the opportunity to explore numerous historical and cultural landmarks such as the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city walls, Içkale Museum Complex, Ulu Mosque, Ongözlü Bridge, Sülüklü Han, Deliler Han, and Hasanpaşa Han. As hotels and businesses experienced high…

The water level of the Çoruh River in northeastern Türkiye, which has become a symbol of Bayburt and flows through the city center, increased due to melting snow and heavy rainfall. Originating from the slopes of the Mescit Mountains and flowing from Batumi to the Black Sea, Çoruh River is one of the fastest-flowing rivers in the world and also holds the title of the deepest. As its water level rises, its flow rate increases. In winter, the surface of the river is covered with ice, and in spring, it is fed by snowmelt. The rising water levels of the…

During the first three days of the Ramadan Bayram, also known as Eid al-Fitr holiday, Mount Nemrut in Adıyaman, southeastern Türkiye, known for its colossal statues, has seen a surge in visitors. Standing at 2,206 meters and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Mount Nemrut reopened for tourism on March 15 after being closed during winter. The holiday has drawn large crowds, making it one of the top destinations for tourists. While Mount Nemrut typically hosts 700-800 visitors per day, the holiday period has significantly increased this number to around 2,000 daily. Despite the cold weather, mostly local tourists…

The Seljuk Meydan Cemetery, located in the Ahlat district of Bitlis, eastern Türkiye, and recognized as the largest Turkish-Islamic cemetery, is experiencing a surge in visitors during Ramadan Bayram. Listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List, the 210-acre cemetery, often referred to as the “Orkhon Inscriptions of Anatolia,” houses nearly 10,000 graves and welcomes visitors from across Türkiye. With its monumental tombstones adorned with reliefs, motifs, carvings, inscriptions and writings, the cemetery offers visitors a journey through history. Baran Demir, a visitor from Istanbul, expressed his admiration for Ahlat, stating: “Ahlat is a beautiful tourist destination. We love Ahlat and…