Turkish Festival kicks off in Chicago, showcasing cultural wonders

The Zakat Foundation, a philanthropic organization headquartered in Chicago with global reach, is spearheading a three-day Turkish Festival in Rosemont’s western Village. Halil Demir, a founding member of the festival’s committee, delivered the opening remarks. 

Theater Kulliyen presents a theatrical showcase, while Türkiye’s presidential Investment Office discusses the nation’s economic progress. 

The festival also includes a screening of the acclaimed Turkish film Ayla: The Daughter of War, which recounts the touching tale of a Turkish sergeant and a young orphan girl during the Korean War in 1950. 

This event is slated to be the most extensive celebration of Turkish culture in Chicago to date, boasting approximately 230 stalls at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. These stalls represent a diverse array of companies, charities, and non-governmental organizations from the Turkish and Muslim communities in the United States. 

In addition to community representatives, diplomatic figures from various nations, including Türkiye’s Consul General in Chicago, Engin Turesin, are anticipated to attend the event.