Introducing Edirne on the international arena— or as we could say, to “foreign friends”—is an important yet often overlooked task. As we often hear, the city of Edirne, the second capital of the Ottoman Empire, remains far behind in terms of international recognition compared to what it truly deserves. While some efforts are being made within Edirne, and some of them are worthy of praise for their significant contributions, these efforts rarely go beyond a local scope. This article addresses this important issue.
Undoubtedly, many residents and intellectuals living in Edirne strive to contribute to the city. Whether through writing articles, participating in intellectual activities, or giving conferences/seminars etc, there are substantial efforts to raise awareness. Some individuals, such as the esteemed authors Sabriye Cemboluk and Güngör Mazlum, have written remarkable novels like Son Talika (the last carriage), greatly contributing to the city’s culture and consciousness. We also cannot overlook national events organized by the local government, such as the Kırkpınar Wrestling Festival, Hıdrellez, and the Gastronomy Festival.
U19 EUROPEAN ROWING CHAMPIONSHIP HELD IN SUMMER 2024
However, none of these events, despite their long tradition, have made as significant a contribution to Edirne’s international recognition as the European U19 Rowing Championships held this summer. It’s harsh but true: while local events are appreciated within the region, they barely reach beyond national borders. Most of the foreign tourists visiting Edirne are from neighboring Bulgaria for example. Where are the visitors from countries like France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Denmark, Spain, or the USA? Why hasn’t Edirne attracted visitors from these countries, who might not only experience the city but also help promote it?
One potential reason for this could be the infrastructure challenges of accommodating more tourists. It is true that Edirne struggles with issues like parking, toilets, food quality control, and traffic. Solving these issues is certainly not something that can be done overnight. However, city officials, knowing the limitations, should be committed to addressing them by setting plans and priorities, working swiftly to improve the infrastructure in line with the city’s goals. After all, promoting tourism requires the necessary facilities and infrastructure to support it.
UNDERPERFORMING EFFORTS OF OFFICIAL ORGANIZATIONS TO PROMOTE TOWN
Looking at organizations responsible for promoting Edirne, whether official or non-official, many are underperforming. While some focus on local events for Edirne’s residents, others don’t seem to be making much of an impact at all. Many of these organizations appear to focus on events that serve a limited audience, almost like a “primary school performance” (although such performances are valuable in their own context).
The goal should not just be organizing street events for a handful of people passing by; it should be reaching hundreds of thousands, or even millions. “But this requires a budget,” you may think, and yes, that’s true. However, it’s not the responsibility of citizens in town or author of this article to secure this funding—it is the responsibility of those in power to make this happen.
In short, Edirne’s international promotion is severely lacking. Now, let’s get to the point: One of the best individuals promoting Edirne’s name worldwide is photographer Uğur Kaygusuz. A teacher and talented photographer, Kaygusuz continues to win awards and honorable mentions in international competitions, indirectly promoting Edirne’s name as a part of his work. This is an achievement that many official institutions have not been able to replicate.
IMPORTANCE OF THE INTERNET FOR GLOBAL PROMOTION
As for the city’s online presence, Edirne.com.tr is a website that looks great but remains static with little activity. On the other hand, the website edirneturkey.com has reached thousands of foreign visitors due to its active English content and social media presence. This site has contributed more effectively to Edirne’s international promotion than many official institutions. Thanks to this platform, thousands of people around the world are learning about the city’s landmarks and events, such as Selimiye Mosque, the Health Museum, bridges, Hıdrellez, the Gastronomy Festival, and Rowing Championships.
WHO CONTRIBUTES MOST TO PROMOTION OF EDIRNE ON INT’L LEVEL
In conclusion, key contributors to Edirne’s international recognition include photographer Uğur Kaygusuz, Edirne Haber Newspaper, the Ted School (especially for its contribution to international rowing events), EFOD Photography Association (although more focused on the Balkans), the local university (through conferences and seminars), and the website edirneturkey.com. Besides these, some traditional artists like those practicing Edirnekari or miniatures, and intellectuals like Ender Bilar and the Local History Group, also make valuable contributions within the city. However, it is clear that the overall international promotion of Edirne still requires much more effort.
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