Technobird is in Türkiye TECHNOBIRD IS IN TÜRKİYE | Page 58

12. TECHNOBIRD IS IN MANİSA
12.1. Seçil Köklü GÜLSEVEN- Yunusemre Atatürk Secondary School
Written by students of 6/D
https://youtu.be/Mi3V1PF3Y30
Hello, from Manisa. It is an attractive, modern city with a far-reaching past in the Aegean
Region of Turkey. Its history goes back to 500 BC but the first known settlements date back to
the 14th century BC. In Ottoman times, many of the sons of sultans receive their education in
Manisa and the city is commonly known as "The City of Shahzades" It lies in the valley of the
Gediz River (ancient Hermus River), below Mount Sipylus . Manisa celebrates the annual
Vintage Festival every September, when bringing in the fruits of the vineyards is celebrated
with excitement. The vineyards surround the city and provide dry fruit for export from Izmir
port.
We are the students of 6/D at Yunusemre Atatürk Secondary School.While we are planning the
school trip in the school garden with Seçil teacher,we see a very different bird. It lies under the
tree and looks very tired.We know this bird from ‘’Better Together’’project.It is Technobird .It
is a very clever and tecnological bird.Technobird travels around Turkey.When it passes through
Manisa,It sees lots of people below and wonders.First, we start to talk about Manisa and its
beauty,delicious food.Then,we explain the crowd why so many people come together because It
is Traditional Mesir Paste Festival time in Manisa.We decide to take Technobird to the Sultan
Mosque and join the festival together.
The Mesir Macunu festival of Manisa, Turkey, commemorates the recovery of Hafsa Sultan,
mother of Suleiman the Magnificent, who is cured of a disease by the invention of a paste
known as Mesir Macunu. The Sultan then order that the paste be disseminated to the public. So,
every year the paste is prepared by a chef and apprentices from 41 fresh spices and herbs
according to traditional practice. A team of 14 women wrap the paste in small pieces of paper,
and 28 imams and apprentices bless it before scattering the paste from the top of the minaret
and the domes of the Sultan Mosque. Thousands of people come from different regions of
Turkey to compete to catch the pieces as they fall. Many people believe that If you catch and
eat ,it restores health, youth and you won’t get sick through the year. Historical Ottoman music
band performs during the preparation of the paste and throughout the festival. Inhabitants of
Manisa have a deep emotional attachment to the festival. The strength of tradition creates a
strong sense of solidarity among local communities, and the city welcomes guests from almost
all regions of Turkey and around the World.
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