Didim Hosts 2024 Dünya Didim’i Seviyor Kültür Festivali at the Historic Temple of Apollo, Highlighting Global Cultures and a Call for Peace

Didim, Turkey – The 2024 Dünya Didim’i Seviyor Kültür Festivali (The World Loves Didim Cultural Festival) has once again brought together the diverse cultural fabric of the town’s residents. Held annually at the iconic Temple of Apollo, this year’s festival continued the tradition of celebrating the rich international community of Didim, offering a spectacular array of global music, art, cuisine, and cultural activities.

Hosted by Didim itself, this festival has become a highlight of the summer season, and this year was no exception. Residents and visitors from around the world gathered at the ancient and sacred site of the Temple of Apollo, where the grandeur of the past meets the spirit of modern cultural exchange. The festival, aimed at fostering harmony and understanding, showcased the cultural contributions of Didim’s non-Turkish residents, turning the ancient temple grounds into a lively, multicultural space.

This year’s festival was inaugurated by 10-year-old Maya Gördüemel, a celebrated young swimmer and a local champion who has won more than 25 medals. As the Messenger of Peace, Maya delivered an emotional and inspiring speech, calling for a better future for her generation and beyond. Speaking from the heart, Maya addressed the crowd and world leaders alike:

“We, children, want to be able to smile in the world that you will leave in our hands. So, please stop all the killing. Please let people not be killed! Please keep the animals safe and not be killed! Please protect the environment and not destroy our nature!”

Maya, who has been a swimming champion in her school and for the county of Aydın for three consecutive years, captivated the audience with her powerful message. Her dream is to travel the world as a swimmer and represent Turkey at the Olympics, but her words on this day went beyond sports. She ended her speech with a hopeful plea for peace and environmental preservation:

“If we are happy in this world, then we will leave a happy world for our future generations. We want a happy world, with no war. Only peace and brotherhood. Our wish is peace at home and peace in the entire world.”

Following Maya’s heartfelt speech, the festival carried on with vibrant cultural performances, exhibitions, and demonstrations from Didim’s international residents. The grounds of the Temple of Apollo became a colorful hub of global traditions, reflecting the spirit of unity that lies at the heart of the Dünya Didim’i Seviyor Kültür Festivali.

As always, the festival—firmly rooted in Didim’s history and the ancient Temple of Apollo—served as a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural harmony. The 2024 edition reaffirmed that this event is not only about celebrating the diversity of Didim’s expatriates but also about sending a message of peace, unity, and shared humanity to the world.