The Turkish Pazar Festival will transform the Queen Victoria Market into a traditional Turkish street market over two days on March 2 and 3. Pazar is the Turkish word for both Sunday and bazaar or market.
Moreland Turkish Association president Cemal Akdeniz said for many decades the Queen Victoria Market has played an important role in the lives of the Turkish community.
“As proud migrants from Türkiye and Cyprus who choose to make multicultural Australia our home, we are passionate about sharing our rich
traditions,” he said.
“In 2024, we will be celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye… We invite everyone to join us at this free and family-friendly event.”
Visitors to the festival will experience the vibrant tastes, colours and sounds of a Turkish street bazaar through food, music, dance, arts and crafts and cultural displays.
The Festival is free and welcomes everyone. Numerous food offerings to entice the taste buds include Melbourne’s favourite gözleme (savoury pancakes), simit (sesame crusted bread rings), kebabs, kumpir (baked potatoes Turkish style), and sweets such as lokma or lokum (Turkish Delight) as well as kunefe (a pastry and cheese sweet soaked in syrup).
There will be numerous options vegans and vegetarians.
Visitors can relax over an authentic Turkish coffee prepared over hot sand or enjoy a cold limonata.
Cultural displays will introduce traditional Turkish arts of calligraphy and ebru (paper marbling).
The day long stage program will entertain all with music, dance and children’s activities.
On Sunday a highlight will be the military precision of the colourful Australian Turkish Mehter Band, an Ottoman style marching band.
