The “Zanbak” Tulip is a symbol of love, elegance, and beauty. If you see it anywhere, you will perhaps feel its romantic aura in terms of beautiful, touching emotions…. So how would you feel if you saw them beautifully covering one of the largest cities of the world, and for as far as eye can see, with 30 million tulip flowers? It’s pure magic! One could even say it’s a piece of Heaven.
If you visit Istanbul in the Spring of any year, and especially in April, you will actually find that magic before your eyes, shining in Istanbul’s gardens, sidewalks, and public squares in a colorful mosaic. The city, or the “La’lee” as nicknamed by the Turks, is one of the active participants in Istanbul’s International Tulip Festival that’s been held annually since 2005. It underscores the importance of the Tulip flower, and its integral part in the Turkish culture.
Over 30 Million of assorted Tulip flower are planted, which is the highest figure according to Istanbul’s municipality, in the Amirgan reserve and in other places such as the “Golhana” garden and the reserves of Yilz, Pikoz, Gamliga, and Fathi Pacha. A one thousand meter square carpet composed of 545 thousand Tulip flowers was displayed at the Sultan Ahmad square. Istanbul’s municipality declared that the world can now see a carpet of tulips that’s larger than Istanbul. They hope to break the world Record with it.
It is noteworthy that Turkey gives a special importance to the tulip, and has expanded efforts for years to raise awareness and interest for the flower that it considers a part of its local culture and history. The Turks brought it with them from its original homeland in Central Asia to Anatolia then spread it in European countries during the 16th century.
Lebanon Times shined a spot on the tulip flower after listening to the speech of the Consul General of Turkey in Houston H.E. Ferhat Alkan, who enlightens tourism in Turkey and the importance of the tulip flower, which has become an integral part of the Turkish culture, tradition, and history.