The festival culture in Artvin; A case of the Kafkasör Bullfighting Festival

This study focuses on the festivals held in Artvin's city center and districts. Throughout history, festivals have served as an important tool for expressing the traditional values of communities. By strengthening social unity, solidarity and cohesion, they have contributed to the formation and preservation of cultural heritage. In Artvin, a region home to diverse identities and ethnic groups, various festivals have been organized with the aim of revitalizing social life and sustaining cultural heritage. The thesis examines the historical development of the major festivals in Artvin, their entertainment culture, organizational structures and the cultural elements believed to be transmitted to future generations through these festivities. Moreover, the study explores how these festivals influence the city's tourism dynamics and discusses the processes of cultural transmission that accompany them. In the first section, a literature review of the concept of festivals is presented, discussing their historical development, the notion of festivals in Türkiye and the festivals organized in Artvin. In the third section, presenting an extensive examination of the Artvin Kafkasör Bullfighting Festival, employing both structural and functional. In third section, provides deeply structural and functional analysis of the Artvin Kafkasör Bullfighting Festival. Throughout history, festivals have served as vital instruments for expressing and preseerving traditional values. Festivals improve social cohesion, soliderity and unity while celebrations across diverse geographies have evolved into cultural heritage. As key components in identity formation festivals contribute to interpersonal communication and act as a bridge between past and future meeting essential social needs. Focusing on Artvin, located in norhteastern Türkiye and home to a variety of identites and ethnic backgrounds, this study explores how festivals aim to invigorate social life and preserve cultural heritage. It examines the historical evolution, entertainment culture, organizational planning and intergenerational transmisson of cultural elements association with Artvin' s major festivals. Furhermore, the research investigates the influence of these festivals on the city's tourism sector and their role in processes of cultural contiunity.