Background

The Turkish Pazar Festival will transform the iconic Queen Victoria Market into a traditional Turkish street

market over two days on 2 and 3 March 2024. Pazar is the Turkish word for both Sunday and bazaar or

market.

The President of Moreland Turkish Association Mr Cemal Akdeniz OAM says “As proud migrants from Turkey

and Cyprus who choose to make multicultural Australia our home, we are passionate about sharing our rich

traditions. For many decades the Queen Victoria Market has played an important role in the lives of the

Turkish community. In 2024, we will be celebrating the 100 th Anniversary of the establishment of the Republic

of Türkiye. This Festival is made possible by the support of our major sponsors the Victorian Government, the

City of Melbourne and Sahara Dairy, as well as by our many other sponsors, supporters and volunteers. We

invite everyone to join us at this free and family-friendly event”.

What to do at the Festival

Visitors to the Festival will experience the vibrant tastes, colours and sounds of a Turkish street bazaar

through food, music, dance, arts and crafts and cultural displays. The Festival is free and welcomes everyone.

Numerous food offerings to entice the taste budsl include Melbourne’s favourite gözleme (savoury pancakes),

simit (sesame crusted bread rings), kebabs (how many types are there?), kumpir (baked potatoes Turkish

style), and sweets such as lokma (sticky balls of goodness) or lokum (Turkish Delight) as well as kunefe (a

pastry and cheese sweet soaked in syrup). There will be numerous options vegans and vegetarians. Visitors

can relax over an authentic Turkish coffee prepared over hot sand or enjoy a cold limonata.

Cultural displays will introduce traditional Turkish arts of calligraphy and ebru (paper marbling).

The day long stage program will entertain all with music, dance and children’s activities. On Sunday a highlight

will be the military precision of the colourful Australian Turkish Mehter Band, an Ottoman style marching band.

About Moreland Turkish Association

The Moreland Turkish Association was formed in 1985 to provide support for the active integration and involvement of the Turkish community living in the Merri-bek area.

For more information

Follow @MorelandTurkishAssociation on Facebook or Instagram For media inquiries call Joy Elley on 0406 134 817