Hundreds of people flocked to Stockwood Park last weekend for the largest Luton Turk Fest 2023 ever held by the Luton Turkish Community Association. Over 200 volunteers helped coordinate various arrangements at this fantastic family-friendly event. People travelled long distances to be part of this large outdoor extravaganza.
More than a dozen members of the Ottoman Marching Band from Istanbul were funded by Turkish Airlines and flown into Luton to dazzle and entertain the crowds. Children from the Turkish Language School performed excellent stage performances. People could take selfies with men and women costumed as cultural relics in a tent.
There were long queues for the freshly baked Turkish treats & delicacies, ‘Gozleme’ – the spinach and cheese stuffed flatbread, and ‘Manti’ – tiny lamb-stuffed dumplings topped with sauces. These were sold to raise funds for the Luton Turkish Community Association.
Turkey is known for its vivacious culture – colourful attire, lively music and dancing, exquisite handicrafts and jewellery, and amazing food. People were able to enjoy the flavour of it all at the Luton Turk Fest.
Atilla Ustun, Executive Chairman of Luton Turkish Community Association said, “We are glad that we could offer this experience after a three-year absence due to the coronavirus pandemic.” The Chair of one of the Key Sponsors Luton Rising, Cllr. Javeria Hussain, Lord Qurban Hussain, and Luton Cllrs. Mahmood Hussain & Dave Taylor were also invited. In remembrance of the suffering brought on by wars and conflicts around the world, Atilla invited The Turkish Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Osman Koray Ertaş to join together in an act of solidarity and fly doves for world peace.
Atilla thanked Luton’s diverse communities for their tremendous support and outstanding assistance after one of the worst earthquakes ever to strike areas of Turkey and Syria earlier in the year. He said, “Luton sent over 500 tonnes of aid, which is incredible for a town of our size.”
Talking about the Luton Turkish Community Centre, Atilla said, “Although it is a small premises, it is always full and buzzing with people and different activities. There are nearly 300 Turkish families in Luton at present but hit by the cost of living crisis, more are drawn to Luton from expensive parts of the UK.”
L to R: The Turkish Ambassador HE Osman Koray Ertaş, Luton Rising Chair, Cllr Javeria Hussain, and Luton Turkish Community Chairman Mr Atilla Ustun with Ottoman Marching Band from Istanbul at Luton Turk Fest held last weekend at Stockwood Park.