EGET FOUNDATION'S 8TH TRADITIONAL LAVENDER HARVEST FESTIVAL: A MEETING POINT OF NATURE, EDUCATION, AND ENTERTAINMENT

The 8th Traditional Lavender Harvest Festival, initiated for the first time in our region by the EGET Foundation, was held on July 26-27 at the EGET Foundation Armutçuk Organic Farm. This year, we presented a rich program filled with educational and enjoyable workshops, dance performances, musical performances, street games, and a healthy food menu.

Our guests enjoyed fun moments accompanied by the enchanting aroma of fragrant lavender, while also learning about environmental awareness and sustainable living. They savored our homemade menus, where all food and drinks were carefully selected.

The 8th EGET Lavender Harvest Festival, which attracted a large number of participants, was also attended by Muğla Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Barış Saylak, Ula Mayor Mehmet Caner, Ula District Director of Agriculture Ahmet Donduran, Menteşe Deputy Mayor Merve Fidem Barut, Muğla Chamber of Commerce President Bülent Karakuş, and Muğla Commodity Exchange President Hurşit Öztürk. At the festival, participants harvested lavender grown according to organic principles under the supervision of agricultural engineers. Throughout the festival, both paid and free workshops attracted significant interest. These included a Movement Training and Coordination Skills workshop for children aged 3-10, led by Pilates instructor Mihriban Doğaroğlu, while Dr. Taylan Doğaroğlu gave a training session for adults titled ‘Being a Bee in This Era’. Also within the scope of the event, Kadir Hasman presented a creative drama workshop for children, while Süleyman Kurnaz conducted a "Natural Beeswax Workshop" for adults.

Participants, including EGET employees, agricultural engineer Necla Dal, Dr. Chemist Çiğdem Kuş, and landscape architecture student and EGET intern İren Eylem Kazıl, did karaoke, while Simge Yudum Çeliker provided participants with enjoyable and active moments with a Zumba workshop.

On the second day of the festival, Kadir Hasman played street games with children and their families. A Yoga workshop focusing on developing breath and body awareness was held for adults with yoga instructor Ahu Başer. The Heirloom Wheat and Sourdough Bread Workshop for adults was given by Murat Demirtaş, founder of Fırınımdan Ekmekler.

Also on the second day, a Seed Ball Workshop was conducted by agricultural engineer Necla Dal, and a movement training and coordination skills workshop was held for children. The festival concluded with the founding instructors of Mas Amor Tango, The Argentina La Plata National Tango Championship semi-finalists Kseniya Podavalenko and Serkan Kürkçü concluded the festival with their "Whispers of the Heart Dance Performance." We would like to thank Muğla Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Barış Saylak, Ula Mayor Mehmet Caner, Ula District Director of Agriculture Ahmet Donduran, Menteşe Deputy Mayor Merve Fidem Barut, Muğla Chamber of Commerce President Bülent Karakuş, and Muğla Commodity Exchange President Hurşit Öztürk for their valuable visits to the EGET Foundation's 8th Traditional Lavender Harvest Festival. We also extend our sincerest thanks to all our guests from various districts and cities of Muğla for their participation and for not leaving us alone.

Furthermore, we would like to thank our instructors, Ms. Mihriban Doğaroğlu, Mr. Kadir Hasman, Mr. Süleyman Kurnaz, Mr. Taylan Doğaroğlu, Ms. Ahu Başer, and Ms. Necla Dal, for their activities throughout the festival. We would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Murat Demirtaş, Ms. Simge Yudum Çeliker, Mas Amor Tango founders Kseniya Podavalenko and Serkan Kürkçü, and EGET Foundation staff members Ms. Çiğdem Kuş, Ms. Necla Dal, and our intern Ms. İren Eylem Kazıl, who organized the karaoke concert. We also extend our thanks to Ayşe Eyüboğlu, founder of the Hasbahçe Foundation, for enabling the Heirloom Wheat and Sourdough Bread Workshop; to Mr. Başar Koşargelir, founder of Leo Meyve, for providing free freshly squeezed orange juice; to Mr. Ahmet Yalçın Doğan for preparing delicious homemade food throughout the festival; to Mr. Taylan Doğaroğlu for his support with the sound system; to all of our instructors who were with us without charge; and to all EGET group employees who worked tirelessly to ensure the flawless organization of the festival. We look forward to seeing you at the next festival. From Nature to You; From You To education