Erzincan Kemaliye (Eğin) Traditional Outdoors Sports and Cultural Festival celebrating the 39th anniversary hosts lots of sportsmen all around the world and Turkey. Wing Suit flying and Base Jumping are performed with all joy during the feast.
Erzincan Kemaliye (Eğin) Traditional Outdoors Sports and Cultural Festival, which has been celebrated for years was aimed to honor the deceased Governor Recep Yazicioglu’s memory. The feast now is beyond its earlier aims. Kemaliye, the worth-seeing town of Erzincan, has become one of the most important outdoors sports locations in Turkey. It also sets a good example of how east’s potential become apparent to everyone. Every passing year, the Festival reaching the large masses also contributes to the city’s economy. The city gets credit by many sportsmen who visit the city for the occasion. The city’s natural beauties cast its spell over its visitors, many of whom plan to revisit.
Widely acclaimed, both nationally and internationally, the sportive and cultural activities will be held in two sessions this year because of the National Elections in 24th of June. Between the dates of 18th and 22nd of June, the 1st session was held comprising the outdoors air activities such as Wing Suit flying and Base Jumping.
The 2nd session will be held in 6th and 9th of September. There will be various activities such as water sports, mountain climbing, trekking, mountain biking, javelin, photo safari.
The motto based upon the love of nature, sports and fraternity
Located in the north side of Euphrates River Basin, embraced by the historical and natural beauties Kemaliye is the touristic town of Erzincan. The town is also the founder of “The Association of Historical Towns”.
Organized by The Kemaliye Culture and Development Foundation (KEMAV) and in partnership with Mayor’s Office, the festival’s main themes are defined as “unique cultural feast, the love of nature, sports and fraternity”, likewise the previous ones.
As the mastermind of the festival, the Deputy Chair of KEMAV, Dr. Ferudun Çelikmen is one of the residents of Kemaliye. Being an outdoors sportsman, Mr. Çelikmen indicates that they set an example for other cities and countries with the International Kemaliye Outdoor Sports Festival.
The shows draw great interest
As part of activities, 18 sportsmen from the 12 countries of the six continent of the world left unforgettable memories in audience’s minds by staging breathtaking jump shows. Lots of sportsmen visited Kemaliye from Brazil to South Africa, USA to Australia, New Zealand to Britain.
In the first place, Turkey’s one and only Via Ferrate racetrack opening ceremony took place. Climbing 517 steps of the track, world-renowned Wig-Suit sportsmen reached from 900m. Euphrates River to 1700m. Eğin slopes and they performed double and single acrobatic flying to the opposite shore of Euphrates. They flew approximately 4km.
The performance of the sportsmen reaching 200km per hour drew a great deal of attention from the audiences coming from the neighborhood towns and cities. The sportsmen also performed exciting and successful jumping from “Sırat on Fırat” bridge, which is already worldwide known.
Adrenaline rush in the dark canyon
Considered as one of the most glorious canyons in the world, The Dark Canyon (Karanlık Kanyon) attracts more tourists every passing year. Professional athletes jumping into the midst of specially designed floating platform, which are up to 500m tall, jump into the darkness of the Canyon. And then, they parachute into a specified zone, which is near to a valley bottom. In some cases, due to variable wind, sportsmen may land in water.
Apart from adrenalin-freak activities, Applied Aviation Workshops, Photograph Exhibition of Lütfi Özgünaydın, Bocik Art Studio Opening Ceremony and a Group Painting Exhibition were held in the Festival. Moreover, several trainings, led by Dr. Ferudun Çelikmen, such as basic mountain climbing, first-aid in nature, via ferrate principles and search and rescue were provided for the Kebaliye youth.
The base-jumper Ian Flanders who fell to his death in 2015 Kemaliye Festival was also commemorated this year.
