İstanbul rock festival canceled due to wildfire concerns
The Zeytinli Rock Festival, a long-standing rock event in Turkey, faced cancellation due to concerns about wildfires, as stated by local authorities. The festival was originally slated to occur from August 21 to 24 in the Kilyos region, situated on the Black Sea coast in the north of Istanbul. The Sarıyer district governor rescinded the event’s permit, citing forest fire risks outlined in a circular that restricts access to wooded areas.
This festival, which traditionally took place in the Zeytinli district of Balıkesir since the 1990s, has now been canceled twice in the past four years. The initial cancellation occurred in 2022 under the premise of ensuring public safety. Subsequently, organizers moved the festival to different cities. For this year’s event, they had initially chosen Marmaris in the Muğla province. However, approval was denied merely a week before the festival by the Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Ministry due to the proposed location falling within a special environmental protection zone.
Following this decision, the organizers decided to relocate the festival to Istanbul. Nonetheless, after the cancellation, they have not disclosed a new date or venue for the event. The festival’s lineup was anticipated to feature renowned musicians including Duman, Athena, Manga, Emre Aydın, Hande Yener, Selda Bağcan, Gazapizm, Gökhan Türkmen, Feridun Düzağaç, Umut Kuzey, and Dedublüman.
In recent times, Turkey has observed the cancellation of various music and film festivals. In 2022, three significant music festivals were called off. Furthermore, the MUBI Fest from the MUBI streaming platform was canceled last year after showcasing films with LGBTI+ themes.
The cancellation of the Zeytinli Rock Festival due to wildfire concerns adds to a series of setbacks faced by the event in recent years. Despite attempts to relocate and revive the festival in different cities, the persistent challenges seem to hinder its continuity. The uncertainty surrounding the festival’s future leaves music enthusiasts and performers in a state of disappointment as they await announcements regarding any possible rescheduling or relocation of the event.