Crimean Tatars mark the traditional Derviza festival in Toydemir village near Ankara with tree planting and folk music

On 25 October the traditional Crimean Tatar harvest festival Derviza was held in Toydemir village, Polatlı district, Ankara province. It was organised by the Crimean Turks Culture and Solidarity Association and the Toydemir branch of the Crimean Association, and drew Crimean Tatars from various parts of Türkiye, association representatives and volunteers.

The ceremony opened with the Turkish national anthem and the Crimean Tatar anthem «Ant Etkenmen». Mükremin Şahin, the association's general president, said Derviza has been revived over the past three to four years; in Crimea the festival included horse races, wrestling and a communal meal, and he hopes to add traditional belt wrestling to future editions.

Branch chair Vecdi Özgey recalled that the village was founded in 1905 by Crimean Tatars who migrated to Anatolia. Many saplings had already been planted in a volunteer reforestation effort, and a symbolic planting was held with participants on the day.

The Cıyın ensemble of the Crimean Association performed folk dances, while singer Adile Çerkezova and Refat Useinov, a teacher at the Yañğıray Qaytarma music school, performed Crimean Tatar songs with his student. Traditional Crimean Tatar food and sweets were sold, games were held for children and adults, and the day closed with the «Telli Şırak» and «Koraz Telleme» rituals.