The Ardahan Newspaper | Since 1995 |
"Though the Silhouette Didn't Appear, the Excitement Didn't Die Down: International Bicycle Festival Left Associations and Municipalities Behind"
Organized for the first time this year as an international event with the participation of cyclists from Iran, Azerbaijan, and many other countries, the Cycling Festival outshone the events of various associations and federations in the region. However, this grand international event was ironically overshadowed this time by the absence of the famous shadow itself.
The Cycling Festival, which had previously dominated the agenda due to a "tights" controversy involving a Kars MP, has concluded under the shadow of the unseen silhouette of Atatürk.
As part of the Ardahan Cycling Festival, a festive atmosphere swept through the city. The vibrant concerts, cultural excursions, and promotional events showcasing Ardahan's unique local cuisine received full marks from the participants. Both local and international guests had the opportunity to discover the city's historical, cultural, and gastronomic riches alongside the cycling routes.
Every year between June 15 and July 15, around 6:15 PM, the silhouette of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk reflects onto the slopes of Karadağ in the Damal district. However, this time the silhouette did not appear. The Governor, along with crowds of citizens and foreign guests waiting to witness this magnificent moment, reportedly prayed for the silhouette to show up, but due to cloudy weather, it remained hidden. Consequently, participants had to return without seeing the phenomenon.
Organized by the Governor’s Office of Ardahan under the motto "You Are Magnificent Ardahan," the festival saw cyclists ride from Ardahan University to the Karadağ mountains in the Mustafa Kemal (formerly Yukarıgündeş) neighborhood of Damal. Due to sudden cloud cover, the international crowd had to return without seeing Atatürk’s silhouette.
On the other hand, the Damal Municipality—led by Kemal Çamlıyurt—will organize the festival titled "In the Shadow and Footsteps of Atatürk" on Sunday, July 12.
