A wrestler celebrates after a winning at the 665th Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne, Türkiye, July 5, 2026. Listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, the festival traces its roots to 1361, when Ottoman commander Sultan Murad ordered a wrestling match in honor of 40 warriors following the conquest of Edirne. Since then, it has evolved into a cherished summer tradition, deeply woven into Türkiye's cultural fabric.
Wrestlers compete bare-chested, wearing specially made leather trousers and covering their bodies with olive oil. One of the main ways to win is to force an opponent's back to the ground. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)
Wrestlers compete at the 665th Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne, Türkiye, July 5, 2026. Listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, the festival traces its roots to 1361, when Ottoman commander Sultan Murad ordered a wrestling match in honor of 40 warriors following the conquest of Edirne. Since then, it has evolved into a cherished summer tradition, deeply woven into Türkiye's cultural fabric.
Wrestlers compete bare-chested, wearing specially made leather trousers and covering their bodies with olive oil. One of the main ways to win is to force an opponent's back to the ground. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)
Wrestlers compete at the 665th Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne, Türkiye, July 5, 2026. Listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, the festival traces its roots to 1361, when Ottoman commander Sultan Murad ordered a wrestling match in honor of 40 warriors following the conquest of Edirne. Since then, it has evolved into a cherished summer tradition, deeply woven into Türkiye's cultural fabric.
Wrestlers compete bare-chested, wearing specially made leather trousers and covering their bodies with olive oil. One of the main ways to win is to force an opponent's back to the ground. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)
Wrestlers compete at the 665th Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne, Türkiye, July 5, 2026. Listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, the festival traces its roots to 1361, when Ottoman commander Sultan Murad ordered a wrestling match in honor of 40 warriors following the conquest of Edirne. Since then, it has evolved into a cherished summer tradition, deeply woven into Türkiye's cultural fabric.
Wrestlers compete bare-chested, wearing specially made leather trousers and covering their bodies with olive oil. One of the main ways to win is to force an opponent's back to the ground. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)
A wrestler celebrates after a winning at the 665th Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne, Türkiye, July 5, 2026. Listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, the festival traces its roots to 1361, when Ottoman commander Sultan Murad ordered a wrestling match in honor of 40 warriors following the conquest of Edirne. Since then, it has evolved into a cherished summer tradition, deeply woven into Türkiye's cultural fabric.
Wrestlers compete bare-chested, wearing specially made leather trousers and covering their bodies with olive oil. One of the main ways to win is to force an opponent's back to the ground. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)
Wrestlers compete at the 665th Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne, Türkiye, July 5, 2026. Listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, the festival traces its roots to 1361, when Ottoman commander Sultan Murad ordered a wrestling match in honor of 40 warriors following the conquest of Edirne. Since then, it has evolved into a cherished summer tradition, deeply woven into Türkiye's cultural fabric.
Wrestlers compete bare-chested, wearing specially made leather trousers and covering their bodies with olive oil. One of the main ways to win is to force an opponent's back to the ground. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)
Wrestlers compete at the 665th Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne, Türkiye, July 5, 2026. Listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, the festival traces its roots to 1361, when Ottoman commander Sultan Murad ordered a wrestling match in honor of 40 warriors following the conquest of Edirne. Since then, it has evolved into a cherished summer tradition, deeply woven into Türkiye's cultural fabric.
Wrestlers compete bare-chested, wearing specially made leather trousers and covering their bodies with olive oil. One of the main ways to win is to force an opponent's back to the ground. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)
Wrestlers compete at the 665th Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne, Türkiye, July 5, 2026. Listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, the festival traces its roots to 1361, when Ottoman commander Sultan Murad ordered a wrestling match in honor of 40 warriors following the conquest of Edirne. Since then, it has evolved into a cherished summer tradition, deeply woven into Türkiye's cultural fabric.
Wrestlers compete bare-chested, wearing specially made leather trousers and covering their bodies with olive oil. One of the main ways to win is to force an opponent's back to the ground. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)
A wrestler is covered with olive oil during the 665th Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne, Türkiye, July 5, 2026. Listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, the festival traces its roots to 1361, when Ottoman commander Sultan Murad ordered a wrestling match in honor of 40 warriors following the conquest of Edirne. Since then, it has evolved into a cherished summer tradition, deeply woven into Türkiye's cultural fabric.
Wrestlers compete bare-chested, wearing specially made leather trousers and covering their bodies with olive oil. One of the main ways to win is to force an opponent's back to the ground. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)
A wrestler celebrates after a winning at the 665th Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne, Türkiye, July 5, 2026. Listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, the festival traces its roots to 1361, when Ottoman commander Sultan Murad ordered a wrestling match in honor of 40 warriors following the conquest of Edirne. Since then, it has evolved into a cherished summer tradition, deeply woven into Türkiye's cultural fabric.
Wrestlers compete bare-chested, wearing specially made leather trousers and covering their bodies with olive oil. One of the main ways to win is to force an opponent's back to the ground. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)
