Our Visit to Büyükkonuk’s Eco Day Festival: Tradition, TikTok, and Timeless Culture

As Wendy and I arrived in the peaceful village of Büyükkonuk, a stream of aromatic smoke greeted us before anything else. Rising from a traditional clay incense burner called a buhurdanlık, filled with burning olive leaves, the scent was earthy and comforting.

Known locally as tütünmek, this age-old practice is a Cypriot ritual of protection and welcome, believed to cleanse visitors from negative energy.

A buhurdanlık typically consists of a heat-resistant container designed to safely burn aromatic materials and it set the tone perfectly for what the Eco Day Festival is all about: tradition, warmth, and a genuine connection to heritage.

Held twice a year in May and October, the Büyükkonuk Eco Day Festival is a celebration of everything that makes rural North Cyprus special. We visited today 11 of May, and what unfolded was a sensory tapestry of sights, sounds, and flavours that brought village life vividly to life.

Just around the corner, we met a woman who absolutely lit up the moment with her welcoming smile as we approached. Standing at her stall, she was making traditional gosleme pancake on a large round griddle her movements were very well practiced, and pride in here skill.

She looked up, beamed at us, and proudly told us she’d been making this since she was a young girl, taught by her mother, and her mother before her. It was clear this wasn’t just something she did it was part of who she was.

Craftsmanship on Full Display

One of our favourite encounters was with a potter shaping fresh clay into delicate vases. Dressed in traditional Cypriot attire, he worked beside his efforts of rows and colourful handmade cups and ceramics for sale.

Every item told a story, and every vendor was eager to share theirs.

Further along, a stall of rugged leather bags caught our eye. Handmade from natural hides and stitched with character, each one felt like a nod to the region’s nomadic past.

We also came across “Fatti Abanın Yeri” a wonderful stall where an elderly woman quietly wove traditional Cypriot reed bags by hand. Her movements were gentle, practiced, and full of meaning. It was clear this wasn’t just craftwork it was heritage, passed down through the generations.

A Feast for the Senses

And then there was the food. Long tables overflowed with the golden glint of honey Karpaz Balları jars wild honey from the Karpaz region. Nearby, punnets of plump, ripe strawberries tempted every passer by.

Local women in bright floral dresses served up hellim (fried halloumi), freshly baked breads, olive oil, and colourful jars of preserved fruits.

We couldn’t resist a hot cone of grilled corn on the cob from a stand marked MISIR, the Turkish word for corn. Every bite, every scent it all celebrated the land and the people who farm it.

Music, Community… and TikTok

The heart of the festival pulsed with music. A choir filled the air with folk songs, backed by musicians on traditional string instruments. Children danced, families clapped, and the energy was contagious.

Among the seated guests for the main stage attraction of the festival in the front row was President Ersin Tatar himself. While the performances were full of life and heritage, we couldn’t help but notice the president looking a bit… distracted. At one point, he appeared to be scrolling through TikTok. Even heads of state need a little entertainment, right? 😄

A Stop at Agios Afksentios Church

As we walked towards the end of the village, we eventually reached the far edge of Büyükkonuk where the beautiful Agios Afksentios Church quietly stood.

This stone-built church is a piece of living history. Believed to date back centuries, it features vaulted ceilings, arched stone walls, and serene recesses that glow in the filtered light. Inside, icons of saints were displayed on wooden easels, adding reverence and stillness to an otherwise lively day.

In 2014, a full restoration funded by the European Union and supported by the UNDP helped bring this landmark back to life. The project was a collaborative effort between Greek and Turkish Cypriots a testament to unity, culture, and shared legacy. It now stands not only as a place of worship but as a beacon of cooperation and respect.

A Living Village

Büyükkonuk has long been at the forefront of eco-tourism in Northern Cyprus and this festival is proof. It wasn’t a tourist trap. It wasn’t staged. It was real: real crafts, real people, real pride.

As the day came to a close, we left with a jar of honey, a handmade cup, and smiles that stayed with us longer than the journey home. More than souvenirs, we took with us a deep appreciation for the quiet beauty of village life and the richness of Cypriot tradition.

Why You Should Go

Whether you’re living in Cyprus or just visiting, the Büyükkonuk Eco Day Festival is a must-see.

Go with an open heart, an empty stomach, and a little room in your bag for something handcrafted. And if you’re lucky, you might just leave with something even better a story worth retelling.