Oil Wrestling Festival

Oil wrestling is one of Turkey’s most popular sports, and regarded by many as the manliest sport on Earth, so it’s no wonder over 1,500 oiled up Turks gather, every year, on a green field near Edirne, for a seven day event that decides the best oil wrestler in the land. The Kirkpinar Oil Festival is a big event that features music and celebrations, belly dancing, dozens of roasted lams, but oil wrestling remains the highlight of the show. Turks, as well as gypsies from all over Asia and Eastern Europe gather on the outskirts of Edirne and compete in a series of greasy wrestling matches.