Cauldrons Boil Once Again at Meram Vineyard

Meram Celebrates the Joy of Molasses and Bulgur Cooking Festival 

A Day as Sweet as Molasses, as Abundant as Bulgur in Meram

The 4th "Molasses and Bulgur Cooking Festival", organized annually by Meram Municipality, was held at the historic Meram Vineyard. Reviving centuries-old traditions, the colourful event offered visitors the chance to join in the grape harvest, watch cauldrons of molasses foam and bulgur boil, and taste the fruits of Anatolia's deep-rooted food culture.

Once again, Meram experienced a day "sweet as molasses and abundant as bulgur." The festival, designed to connect the past with the present, turned into a true journey through time, immersing participants in the joy of harvest and the rituals of communal cooking. Guests toured the vineyard before joining in the harvest, and later enjoyed freshly prepared molasses, bulgur, and other seasonal delicacies.

Mayor Kavuş: "We Take Pride in Keeping Our Culture Alive"

Speaking at the event, Meram Mayor Mustafa Kavuş emphasized the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage and praised the role of the municipality in carrying traditions forward:

"I thank all our citizens who contributed to making this program a tradition. Today, we are not only boiling molasses and bulgur; we are keeping alive a culture and a history. As we show in the Meram City and Life Culture Museum, culture is not limited to written or visual records-it is the lifestyle, traditions, and memories of a city. With our monumental trees, fruit orchards, squirrels, old stone houses, and communal tables, we are passing this heritage on to future generations. This festival is one of the best examples of that effort, and we will continue to expand and enrich this tradition."

The celebration ended with generous offerings of freshly boiled molasses, bulgur, and corn, shared among all attendees in the true spirit of Konya's hospitality.

"We are not just cooking food-we are preserving a way of life. This tradition keeps our culture alive for future generations."

- Mayor Mustafa Kavuş