ANTALYA, Turkey, July 17, 2006 "“ Famous for attracting visitors with its 300 days a year of sunshine, Antalya is inviting even more travelers to enjoy its sun and sand this summer with the first ever Sand Sculpture Festival. Now through September 30, there are 22 artists from 10 countries presenting their sand sculptures on Lara Beach, all using "The Myths of Anatolia" as their inspiration.
More than 100 sculptures are currently on display, including reproductions of the popular Anatolia tourist sites of Nasreddin Hodja, Nemrut Myth, Noah’s Ark, Flag Legend, Cappadocia's famous Fairy Chimneys, Midas and the legendary Troy Horse. Some 20 different civilizations spanning over a 10,000 year history will be recreated using ten thousand tons of river sand brought in from all over Turkey specifically for the exhibition. The creations are also highlighted with special sound and light effects.
The exhibition is expected to attract nearly 500,000 visitors to Lara Beach, located approximately 2.5 miles from Antalya city center. It is organized by ProSandArt and jointly supported by the Culture and Tourism Ministry and the municipality of Antalya. Entrance fees are $3-$5. For more information about sand sculpture, visit http://prosandart.com/en/about_us.htm.
