Arhavi Culture and Art Festival

Uluslararası Arhavi Kültür ve Sanat Festivali

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Arts & CultureArhavi
DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsArhavi's festival is the region's founding
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: TRY
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Arhavi Culture and Art Festival in Arhavi

The Arhavi Culture and Art Festival, running since 1973, is one of the Eastern Black Sea's oldest organized festivals. Held in Artvin's Arhavi district, it mixes regional cooking competitions, folk sports and concerts, and has helped launch the careers of several nationally known Turkish singers.

In 1973, a district administrator named Erol Ertugrul, working with mayor Kazim Kurtoglu, organized what became the first structured festival in the Eastern Black Sea region: three days in early July built around music, folklore, sports and local arts, run by a committee drawing on the district administration, education offices, the chamber of commerce and Arhavi's young people.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Arhavi's festival is the region's founding event: first organized in 1973 by district administrator Erol Ertugrul with support from mayor Kazim Kurtoglu, it predates most other Eastern Black Sea town festivals and is documented as the area's first organized celebration of its kind

02

The mystery stays covered

Its name and focus shifted over the decades, briefly becoming the Altin Atmaca, Golden Hawk, Festival around the region's traditional falconry season before Turkey's ratification of the Bern Convention banned hawk hunting, prompting a return to its original name

03

The city starts moving

Competitions specific to the region, hamsili ekmek (anchovy bread) making, laz boregi pastry making, hazelnut peeling, tea picking and traditional wood-cutting with hand saws, remain part of the modern program alongside concerts

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival preserves regional folk competitions tied to the Eastern Black Sea's agricultural and culinary calendar

Water and renewal

Living ritual

including hazelnut peeling

The sacred route

Living ritual

tea picking and traditional wood-cutting

The local code

Living ritual

alongside cooking contests for hamsili ekmek and laz boregi

Tradition 5

Living ritual

and carries a documented history stretching back to 1973

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of Arhavi you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Casual summer clothing suited to humid Black Sea coastal weather; a light rain layer given the region's frequent showers; comfortable shoes for a program that includes both competition...

Safety

At Arhavi Culture and Art Festival, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

Base yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Arhavi Culture and Art Festival runs late.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

TRY

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map41.35 N, 41.30 EOpen in Google Maps

Arhavi, Artvin, Turkey

Nearest airportBUS — Alexander Kartveli Batumi
TransportStay close enough to the part of Arhavi you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaBase yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Arhavi Culture and Art Festival runs late.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Arhavi via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Arhavi, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearCasual summer clothing suited to humid Black Sea coastal weather; a light rain layer given the region's frequent showers; comfortable shoes for a program that includes both competition viewing areas and evening concert crowds.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Turkey and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Arhavi Culture and Art Festival?

Arhavi Culture and Art Festival is listed for Multiple months. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Arhavi Culture and Art Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Arhavi, Turkey. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Arhavi, Artvin, Turkey

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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