EXPO 2021 Informing Meeting

Hatay Metropolitan Municipality EXPO team held the informing meeting of EXPO 2021, which will be organized under the theme of ‘Garden of Civilizations’ in Hatay, in the council chamber of Hatay Metropolitan Municipality.

Mayor of Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Assoc. Prof.Dr.LütfüSavaş, Chairman Advisor ÖmerFarukÇelebi, councillors, non-governmental organizations, head of departments, head of chambers, associations and many citizens attended this meeting.

Meeting started with the speech of Çelebi and participants were shown a presentation on EXPO 2021.

“ALL GARDEN PLANTS, SAPLINGS AND ORNAMENTAL PLANTS IN HATAY WILL BE INTRODUCED”

Çelebi shared the current situation of the EXPO project and said: “EXPO is not a simple exhibition place. We plan to make EXPO area in two different regions, first one is a 200- hectare area in Kisecik, Antakya and the other is 100-hectare area in İskenderun-Arsuz Karaağaç area. Our main goal in these fields is to introduce all our garden plants, saplings and ornamental plants in Hatay. This is an important sector is one of the cornerstones. Second cornerstone will be our ‘Gastronomy City’ title. We will use this title to make our EXPO even richer. Third cornerstone will be sharing nearly 800 medicinal and aromatic plants in Amanos, with the whole world. Fourth cornerstone will be our culture and mosaic art that embody the history and culture of our city. Under the theme of ‘Antakya Garden of Civilizations’ we will unite these four elements. In İskenderun-Arsuz region, we will establish an international trade centre.”

“OUR GOAL IS TO PRODUCE HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTS AND SELL THEM IN TH WORLD MARKET RATHER THAN SELLING THEM IN HATAY”

Çelebi: “Our goal is to produce high quality products and sell them in the world market rather than selling them in Hatay. We are planning the most beautiful paradise garden in the world where people will want to visit again. In order to do all these, we need to embrace the EXPO all together and we should not think it is only a 6-month project. We need to spread the EXPO to the whole of our city so that our city can develop. Also, there will be a story of each product that we produce and sell in Hatay. We would like to introduce ourselves to the world with the EXPO.

“WE INTRODUCED HATAY INTERNATIONALLY”

ÖmerFarukÇelebi said: “In order to introduce ourselves to the world in the field of gastronomy, we participated in the food festivals and competitions organized by UNESCO as much as we can. We have introduced Hatay in international arena by presenting delicious food varieties.”

“WE ARE BUILDING A GASTRONOMY VILLAGE IN THE EXPO AREA”

Çelebi: “We are building a Gastronomy village in the EXPO area. This will be the first of its kind both in Turkey and in the Middle East. We will build this village on 25-hectare area but we have a difference. In Gastronomy Village, we will have restaurants, food sales points and culinary arts. We will create our urban farms in our greenhouse villages.”

Emphasizing that they have carried out studies for the establishment of alternative medicine centres for a healthier life, Çelebi stated that they aim to be the health centre of the Middle East.

He also mentioned about the historical richness of Hatay and stated that Hatay Archaeology Museum is the largest archaeology museum in the world. He added that in the EXPO area, they planned to create a mosaic village, as well as important works for silk cultivation, glass art and serpentine stone industry.

“WE WILL MAKE HATAY A TRADE AND TOURISM CENTRE”

Mayor Savaş said: “EXPO 2021 is very important for introducing Hatay to the world. Our aim is to represent Hatay. No one can hold Hatay if we are in in this business by combining our full potential from Erzin to Samandağ, Yayladağı to Hassa.  We have so many unique values in Hatay.  We have about 2500 flower species. With the EXPO 2021, we will introduce our Hatay-specific products in the international arena. In addition, this work will contribute to the peace of the Middle East. We will make Hatay a trade and tourism centre.”

“THE EXPO AREA WILL BE A PERMANENT PLACE FOR EVERYONE FROM 7 TO 70”

Mayor Savaş said: “The EXPO area will be a permanent place for everyone from 7 to 70. It will also be the locomotive of Hatay. In order to make the 2021 Horticulture EXPO in the best way, we will also meet with the people who are engaged in agriculture in Hatay. All the dynamics of Hatay will be in this business for the future of our city.”

At the end of the informing meeting Chairman Advisor of Hatay Metropolitan Municipality ÖmerFarukÇelebi presented the EXPO 2021 Project and flowers to the Mayor of Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Assoc. Prof.Dr.LütfüSavaş.