Seattle Center Festál will host Turkfest from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall. The festival is free and open to the public.
Vendors with items common in Turkish culture, such as Turkish carpets and sweets, will be on hand.
According to a Seattle Center news release, community booths include the Seattle Turkish Film Festival, American Turkish Academy of Washington and University of Washington Turkic Studies. Turkish food and coffee will also be available for purchase.
“Turkfest’s mission is to foster friendship, understanding and cooperation throughout the greater community by organizing educational, entertaining and engaging cultural programs that celebrate Turkish culture and heritage,” Turkfest organizer Batu Biyikoglu said in a release.
Turkish folk and pop music and dance performances will take place on the Armory Stage. For those interested in history, art and architecture, there will be presentations on Türkiye’s must-see sites, experiences and travel tips, according to the release. Turkish 101 language classes will be offered in the Armory Lofts.
According to the release, Turkfest is organized by the Turkish American Cultural Association of Washington, a 501c-3 non-profit organization, and its group of committed volunteers from the Turkish-American community.
Since its inception in 2001, Turkfest has grown to include a variety of traditional and contemporary performances, art and textile exhibitions, documentaries, youth activities, cuisine, workshops and genuine Turkish product vendors.