Culture, Local Production and Solidarity in Vişneli: The Village Festival Reached Audiences Across Türkiye on Çiftçi TV
- Jul 18
- 3 min read
İZMİR – Vişneli, the first village where the Tohumluk Foundation began its work in İzmir and a place that holds a very special place in our story, hosted the Vişneli Village Festival and Şalvar Night on 18 July 2026, in partnership with the Tohumluk Foundation, Kemalpaşa Municipality and Vişneli Village.
Beginning at 4:00 p.m. and continuing until midnight, the festival brought together local culture, traditional production, women’s craftsmanship, art and the long-standing Anatolian tradition of collective community work. Selçuk Karakülçe, Member of the Kemalpaşa Municipal Council, also attended the event and joined local residents and visitors throughout the celebrations.
Stalls showcasing handmade and locally produced goods attracted considerable interest. The Tohumluk Foundation welcomed visitors at its own stand, while our volunteers and authors Feray Ünal Yıldırım and Meltem Karabağ presented their books at their individual stands.
Tradition, Art and Activities for Children
One of the highlights of the day was the preparation of keşkek, a traditional dish of Vişneli Village. Prepared collectively by villagers in the spirit of imece—the Anatolian tradition of voluntary communal work—the dish was shared with guests, turning a local culinary tradition into a celebration of cooperation and community.
An art exhibition led by Aslı Yıldız Hünler, a Tohumluk Foundation İzmir volunteer and mathematics teacher, featured works created by children living in Vişneli and surrounding villages. Their paintings offered visitors a colourful glimpse into the world as seen through the children’s eyes.
Young participants also enjoyed a Bubble Show by Abdullah Sevik, musical chairs and a variety of traditional children’s games.
The Kemalpaşa Folk Dance Ensemble received enthusiastic applause for its performance, while the Kemalpaşa İçin Çal Music Group filled the festival with music and added to the joyful atmosphere.
Vişneli’s Heritage Came Alive at Şalvar Night
At 8:30 p.m., Şalvar Night began with a folk dance performance by Ebru Özmen, one of Vişneli Village’s efe girls. Traditional clothing, music and dance brought generations together in a celebration of local heritage, unity and the enduring spirit of community solidarity.
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Throughout the day, volunteer photographers Ertan Okumuş and Gezgin Fotoğrafçı Mehmet Bey documented memorable moments, while the Çiftçi TV team recorded the village’s cultural heritage, production traditions and community spirit.
From Vişneli to Audiences Across Türkiye
The story of the festival did not remain within the village. Footage recorded throughout the event was broadcast on Çiftçi TV on 27 July 2026 at 9:00 p.m., bringing the atmosphere of Vişneli to viewers across Türkiye.
From handmade products and the communal preparation of keşkek to children’s artwork, folk dances, music and the vibrant Şalvar Night, the broadcast showcased the many dimensions of village life. It offered a wider audience an opportunity to discover Vişneli’s productive community, cultural heritage and strong tradition of solidarity.
For Tohumluk Foundation İzmir, it is particularly meaningful to see Vişneli—the first village where our work in İzmir took root—share its story with audiences across the country. The bonds built over the years have grown into a meaningful example of cooperation, cultural preservation and community participation.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Kemalpaşa Municipality, the residents of Vişneli Village, the Çiftçi TV team, the artists, local producers, volunteers, supporters and all our guests who contributed to this memorable event.
We hope that the seeds of solidarity planted in Vişneli will continue to grow through new projects that preserve local culture, support rural production and bring communities together.
The story of a village lives on when its culture is preserved, its producers are supported, and its spirit of solidarity continues to grow.
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