Home » TRAVEL EVENT NEWS » The 18th Snowman Winter Festival Celebrates Rize’s Unique Culture, Music, and Scenic Beauty, Enhancing Turkey’s Winter Tourism Appeal Published on
January 25, 2026The 18th edition of the Snowman Winter Festival in Ayder Plateau, located in the scenic Camlihemsin region of Rize, Turkey, recently brought a surge of color, music, and culture to the picturesque snow-covered landscapes of this famous winter destination. Known for its stunning winter vistas and rich cultural heritage, Ayder Plateau was the ideal backdrop for the festival, which celebrated not only the natural beauty of the region but also its unique traditions, music, and local customs.With snow blanketing the plateau, the festival created an atmosphere of warmth and togetherness, as visitors from across Turkey and beyond came to experience the magic of winter in the Black Sea region. As temperatures dropped, the Snowman Winter Festival became a beacon of culture, entertainment, and joy, turning the quiet, snow-covered plateau into a vibrant celebration of life, music, and community spirit.Advertisement A Fusion of Tradition and Winter FunOne of the highlights of the festival was the large horon circles that formed on the snow, a traditional dance from the Black Sea region. Participants joined hands and danced in unison to the rhythmic tunes of the tulum (bagpipe) and kemence, instruments that are deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of the Black Sea region. These music and dance performances brought the cultural heritage of Rize to life, blending the joy of winter with the spirit of tradition.The horon dance, performed to the sounds of the tulum and kemence, is a celebration of community and culture, with dancers moving together in synchronized steps. The dance has long been a form of expression for the people of the Black Sea, and at the festival, it provided a deep connection to the region’s roots. The Snowman Winter Festival served as a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural preservation, while also offering tourists the chance to experience the region’s traditional music and dance in an authentic and festive setting.AdvertisementFo …
