Is Turkey's biggest rock festival making a comeback?

Efforts by the Edremit Municipality to bring back the Zeytinli Rock Festival, which had been held in the Edremit district of Balıkesir since 2005 before being banned in 2022, are continuing at full speed.

Edremit Mayor Mehmet Ertaş announced on March 12, 2025, that they have initiated work to restore the festival to the district. A consensus was reached with stakeholders during a meeting held in the Municipal Council Hall.

Ertaş stated regarding the matter, "The Zeytinli Rock Festival is very important for both our region and our country. It is an event that increases our city's brand value. Such festivals have become very scarce across the country. We must try to bring the festival back to our city and grow it even more, as it deserves. Because our festival, the Zeytinli Rock Festival, which has been held here for years, is world-famous and quite well-known abroad. We will bring the Zeytinli Rock Festival back to Edremit. We really want to bring this event back, and with your support, we will take every necessary step," he said.

WHY WAS THE ZEYTİNLİ ROCK FESTIVAL BANNED?

The event, one of Turkey's largest rock festivals, had hosted names such as Duman, Manga, and Athena for years and had received great interest from festival-goers.

The Zeytinli Rock Festival was banned by a decision of the District Governorate in 2022, following a statement by the İlim Yayma Cemiyeti claiming that festivals "do not align with the values of society."

RETURNING HOME

The return of the festival is expected to increase the region's tourism and cultural potential. Ertaş said, "We will take every step to bring back this festival that has become identified with our city." Dates and details have not yet been finalized.

News Source: 12punto