We continue our popular round up of the local news.

Plight of Donkeys Highlighted at Unique Event

Linda and Duman, the bride and groom and yes both Donkeys, were transported on the back of an open truck from Kargı to Günlükbaşı, with a stop at the hairdresser en route.

The local press reported that the truck was followed by a convoy of around 200 vehicles full of people eager to attend this unusual wedding ceremony.

Others waited by the roadside and applauded the convoy as it passed, cars flew Turkish and British flags.

Drums and zurna played and the donkeys are even reported to have posed for photographs; although how do you know when a donkey is posing?

Finally the donkeys were transported back to Enver Yalçın’s home in Kargı and Enver told journalists:

“This has all been about drawing attention to the plight of donkeys in Turkey today. Old donkeys are run over on the road or are killed and turned into cheap sausage. Not too long ago donkeys were a vital part of our lives. We depended on them for hauling loads and transport. They even carried ammunition to the front line in wars. Now they are abandoned and we must take care of them.”

A full article on the wedding of the year will follow tomorrow.

Fatal Fall?

This week a man working on a building in downtown Fethiye fell from the third floor.

He was taken to the Letoon Hospital where, three hours later, he died.

During that three hours he was apparently conscious and talking to doctors and nurses.

His family, who had gathered at the hospital, are now demanding an enquiry into his death claiming that the hospital is at fault.

Tuesday Market Traders Van Split in Two After Collision

Another sad death occurred this week when a local market trader crashed into a concrete power pole and died. Özgür Gürdal (30) was a market trader dealing in t-shirts and other clothing.

After selling in Hisarönü market last Monday, he went home for the evening then set out at around 2.30am Tuesday to go down to Fethiye and get his stall ready for the Tuesday Market.

The vehicle he was driving hit a concrete power pole and the impact cut the van into two pieces and Özgür died instantly.

Youth & Sport Day Celebrated

If you wondered what was going on on 19th May – it was a public holiday called ‘Youth & Sport Day’.

Following the traditional day time parades and laying of wreaths at the Atatürk memorial, this year saw a new event held in the football stadium in the evening.

A free concert featuring folk dancing, local singers and a well-known Turkish rap artiste was apparently attended by 10,000 people.

Mountain Road Opened

And at the end of the week the newly paved road up Babadağ was officially opened and the surrounding razamataz included a performance by the Ölüdeniz Singers.

We await the publication of the dolmuş timetable for trips up to the viewing platform.