In Bursa, nearly 500 students from Hamitler High School celebrated the Republic’s 101st anniversary by forming a large map of Türkiye in their schoolyard. Students also displayed a Turkish flag and a portrait of Atatürk, which were captured in aerial footage, garnering widespread admiration.
Pink oleander trees have transformed the mountain slopes of Kozan’s Memili Neighborhood in Adana, Türkiye, into a colorful spectacle. Despite being known as the “flower of death” due to their toxicity, the blooming trees are attracting photographers and nature lovers.
Local visitor Filiz Sakin said, “Although it’s called poisonous, oleander is also used in medicine. The late bloom this year was worth the wait.” The striking scenery was also captured with aerial drone footage.
Beril Solmuşgül – Faruk Yiğenoğlu
A hungry bear cub broke into a trout restaurant in Bayburt’s Kop Mountain area, eating 200–300 fish before playing around the facility. Security footage showed the cub enjoying itself after the feast. Restaurant owner Fuat Temuçin, initially suspecting theft, discovered the incident through camera recordings. Calling for wildlife precautions, Temuçin urged authorities to leave food in nature to prevent similar events.
Öznur Demir
The sunrise over Türkiye’s Sapanca Lake in Sakarya formed a breathtaking scene, as golden, pink, purple, and orange hues lit up the sky. The sun’s reflection on the calm lake surface added to the beauty, offering a mesmerizing start to the day for early morning viewers.
Governor of Muş Avni Çakır joined a hiking event at Ilıca Plateau (2,100 m altitude) to highlight the city’s natural beauty and tourism potential. The 5-km hike, organized by the Governorship in cooperation with AFAD and the Genç Adımlar Association, started at Turna Lake and included music and folk dances.
Governor Çakır invited more locals and nature lovers to explore Muş’s landscapes, saying, “People of Muş may not realize the beauty they have.” Participants praised the scenery, hospitality, and atmosphere. Officials, including AFAD and local leaders, also took part in the event.
Türkiye has launched its first musical road on the Nallıhan-Beypazarı State Road in Ankara, where drivers can hear Mozart’s “Turkish March” when traveling at a constant speed.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said the application works by placing grooves on the road that produce musical notes through vehicle vibrations. The first installation was completed on May 16, 2025, near Eymir Village, designed not to disturb nearby wildlife areas.
A second musical road is being developed on the Ankara–Eskişehir route. Uraloğlu emphasized that smooth surfaces, consistent speeds, and low heavy-vehicle traffic are essential for optimal sound quality.
New York’s Times Square hosted a concert by Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defense Mehter Band as part of the Traditional Turkish Day Parade and Festival. The 60-member team performed Ottoman-era marches, drawing strong interest from both Turkish-Americans and tourists.
Representatives from Turkish civil society groups and the New York Consulate General also joined the celebration, which highlighted Turkish cultural heritage in the heart of Manhattan.
TR