Tulips are an important part of Istanbul’s cultural life. This symbolic flower can be seen as decorations on rugs, in paintings and in many parks of Istanbul since the 18th century. Sultan Ahmed III had a global reputation about his intention to make Istanbul a city totally covered by tulips. In addition to that, he was the Sultan of the Tulip Era of the Ottoman Empire. In this era, tulips were planted in whole parks and gardens all over Istanbul. From Sultan Ahmed III, planting tulips in parks and gardens have become a Turkish tradition. Nowadays, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality is following this tradition by initiating the 11th Tulip Festival on the 11th of April. Throughout the festival, millions of different strains of tulips will be planted all across Istanbul’s parks and groves.
The festival will start in Emirgan Grove then it will head to the White Pavillion (Beyaz Köşk) and finally end in Göztepe 60th Year Park on the 11th of April at 11:00 am. Local artists, such as music bands, marbling artists, painters and glass-blowing artists, will be there to perform during the grand opening of the festival. The first Tulip Museum of Istanbul will also be opening on the 19th of April as part of the festival celebrations.