FETİHFEST 2025 Held at the Canoe and Rowing Sports Center with the Participation of Mr. Turan, the Mayor and University Youth

Hosted by the Fatih Municipality in cooperation with the Turkish University Sports Federation (TÜSF), and honoured by the attendance of Mr. M. Ergün Turan, the Mayor of Fatih Municipality, the Inter-university FETİHFEST Türkiye Championship was held at the Canoe and Rowing Sports Centre, blending the 572nd anniversary of the Conquest of Istanbul with the energy of youth and the unifying power of sports.

Marking more than just a commemoration, the Fatih Municipality aimed to revive the spirit of the conquest through the dynamism of youth. Held on May 29, 2025, at the Canoe and Rowing Sports Centre in Haliç (the Golden Horn), the Inter-university FETİHFEST Türkiye Championship stood as a concrete reflection of this vision. Organized with the support of the Turkish University Sports Federation (TÜSF), the event brought hundreds of university students together through history and sport.

A total of 204 athletes from 25 universities participated in the races across canoeing, rowing, and dragon boat categories, with competitions held in both men's and women's divisions. Following the morning technical meetings, teams took to the water not only to compete for medals but also to honour the legacy of the conquest. The races, set against the historical backdrop of Haliç (Golden Horn), delivered a sporting spectacle rich in both aesthetics and excitement.

Mr. M. Ergün Turan, the Mayor met with the athletes on-site and closely followed the races. Speaking during the closing ceremony, he said: “Today, history is not just remembered—it is relived on the waters of Haliç. It is a great honour for us to bring together our youth and this historical legacy through water sports on the anniversary of the Conquest of Istanbul. FETİHFEST has now become a tradition. With the determination of our youth, it grows stronger every year. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all participating athletes, universities, and the dedicated team behind this event.”

Mr. Mutlu Türkmen, the President of Turkish University Sports Federation also attended the event and lent his support to the process. Mr. Türkmen emphasised the value of the organisation, saying: “FETİHFEST is more than just a competition—it is a social space that enables young people from different cities to meet, exchange ideas, and collaborate. We are grateful to the Fatih Municipality for their visionary approach.”

Throughout the races, spectators lined the waterfront and witnessed the coordination, determination, and energy of the teams. The synergy displayed during the dragon boat races, in particular, highlighted the students' ability to act in unison and demonstrated strong team spirit. By the end of the competitions, what had been forged were not only medals, but lasting friendships and connections that may inspire future collaborations.

During the medal ceremony, awards were presented to the athletes by Mr. Turan, the Mayor, and Mr. Türkmen, the President as well as university representatives. However, the loudest applause was reserved not only for the winners, but for all the athletes who competed, connected with history, and showcased solidarity.

Another key objective of FETİHFEST was to promote water sports among young people and raise awareness in this field. Many students experienced canoeing and rowing for the first time thanks to this event. With such initiatives, the Fatih Municipality aims to support not only the athletic development of young people but also strengthen their cultural awareness.

The event also fostered inter-university cooperation and communication, offering a platform for students from different cities to come together, exchange ideas, spend time together, and even lay the groundwork for joint social initiatives. In this sense, FETİHFEST went beyond the scope of a traditional sports competition and emerged as a youth-focused project centred on social interaction.

Through projects like FETİHFEST, Fatih Municipality continues to invest in youth, revive historical heritage through sports, and transform Haliç into a space for life and shared experiences. This meaningful event, expected to grow with increased participation from universities and athletes in the coming years, is well on its way to becoming one of Istanbul’s cherished new traditions—with both its athletic achievements and youth-centred cultural vision.

This year, the conquest was not just remembered—it was rewritten on the waters of Haliç through the strokes of young oarsmen. And this story was not penned by historians, but by the youth who believe in the power of sport.