Turkish picnic in Hyde Park

Turkish expatriates gathered in London’s Hyde Park on Saturday to mark the previous week’s 19 May Youth and Sports Day celebrations.

The so-called “Youth Picnic”, organised by the Consul General Emirhan Yorulmazlar, saw large numbers of people from all ages attend the event.

All guests were handed T-shirts featuring the Turkish flag and the word “Türkiye” (Turkey) on their backs and offered a range of food and drink. A colourful spectacle emerged as some guests chose to wear the red-and-white colours of the Turkish flag in their clothing.

Mr Yorulmazlar said they had had a good turnout not just from London but from other cities in Britain.

Serap Krause told Londra Gazete she travelled an hour and a half from Essex to attend the event.

“It’s very well organised. The children are playing games, I’m really happy I came. The weather is great too – no rain,” she said.

Academic Reyhan Lütman, who has lived in London for 25 years, said: “This is the first time I have seen such an event. It was really my wish for the Turkish-speaking communities to come together for 25 years.

“The participants are very happy. It allows us to meet other people. We would like to see such events continue in the future.”

In addition to the UK, non-Turkish guests from countries including Spain and Germany also attended the event.