Message of unity at SEÇEK Festival amid minority rights debate in Greece
The 671st Seçek Oil Wrestling and Cultural Festival, organized by the Seçek Minority Education and Culture Association, was held between August 1–3, 2025, in the village of Mehrikoz. The closing ceremony on Sunday brought together thousands of ethnic Turks in Western Thrace and was marked by strong calls for unity and cultural preservation.
This year’s festival took place under the shadow of a recently passed law in the Greek Parliament, widely criticized as an attempt to create a separate minority within the existing Western Thrace Turkish Minority. Throughout the event, speakers rejected what they called an effort to "create a minority within the minority," affirming that "The Western Thrace Turkish Minority is one and indivisible."
High-Level Participation
The event saw the participation of numerous political, religious, and community leaders, including:
- Aykut Ünal, Turkish Consul General in Gümülcine, and his wife İlayda Ünal
- Mustafa Trampa, Mufti of İskeçe and Chairman of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board
- İbrahim Şerif, Mufti of Gümülcine
- Özgür Ferhat, MP for Rhodope (New Left)
- Erdem Hüseyin, Mayor of Kozlukebir
- Representatives from Turkish universities, NGOs, and state institutions
- President Necmettin Kahya Condemns New Law
SEÇEK Association President Necmettin Kahya, in his opening remarks, highlighted the long-standing historical and cultural significance of the Seçek events. He strongly criticized the new legislation, stating:
"We reject the law that seeks to separate a group from the Western Thrace Muslim Turkish minority, whose status is protected by the Treaty of Lausanne."
SEÇEK Ağa Ali Koç
Ali Koç, who served as the honorary “Ağa” of the event, emphasized the importance of preserving this seven-century-old tradition. He thanked his family and community for their support throughout his term.
Mayor Hüseyin: Culture Is Key to Survival
Mayor Erdem Hüseyin described the event as a legacy of the Ottoman era and a pillar of cultural survival:
"Faith, language, and traditions keep the Western Thrace Turkish community alive. Weakening any of these pillars risks assimilation. We will not allow that."
BTTDD President Hasan Küçük: Seçek Is Identity
Hasan Küçük, President of the Western Thrace Turkish Solidarity Association, responded to statements made in Parliament suggesting that Bektashism is a separate religion:
"Bektashism is not a religion but a spiritual path born from Islam. It has been practiced in its purest form for centuries in the Rhodope mountains. No law or statement can change that."
Mufti Trampa: Faith Cannot Be Legislated
Mufti Mustafa Trampa condemned the politicization of Bektashism:
"You cannot remove this belief from people's hearts through political manipulation or laws. Bektaşi culture belongs to the heart, not the law books."
He also thanked MPs Özgür Ferhat and Hüseyin Zeybek for opposing the bill in Parliament.
MP Ferhat: Minority Is United
Rhodope MP Özgür Ferhat addressed the crowd, emphasizing the community’s unity and resilience:
"This minority is united, strong, and will not be divided. We demand dialogue, cultural freedom, and institutional reform. Democracy must serve all citizens equally."
Consul General Ünal: Seçek Is Brotherhood
Turkish Consul General Aykut Ünal described Seçek as more than a tradition:
"Seçek is a bridge between past and present. It’s a reflection of shared values like honor, respect, and unity. We are always by your side in preserving this heritage."
Cultural and Sports Program
The event featured folk dance performances by the Turkish Union of Xanthi and the Turkish Youth Union of Komotini, as well as a concert by the ITB Music Group. The traditional oil wrestling matches followed.
Champions of Seçek 2025
- Başpehlivan (Champion Wrestler): Mehmet Halil Coşkun (Türkiye)
- Başaltı: 1. Oktay Hasan | 2. Zorgas Monogadze | 3. Davin Monogadze, Mustafa Mustafa
- Deste: 1. Ahmet Kuru | 2. Ensar Kasap | 3. Umut Mehmet Ali
- Tozkoparan: 1. İrfan Ali | 2. Süleyman İlker | 3. Hasan Kuru
Coşkun received the traditional golden championship belt. Medals and trophies were awarded by SEÇEK officials and dignitaries.
The 671st Seçek Festival concluded with resounding calls for cultural preservation, communal unity, and resistance to any divisive policies targeting the minority population in Western Thrace.
