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FROM SEA TO MEMORY: BODRUM HONORS ITS UNDERWATER LEGENDS
02.07.2025
In celebration of Türkiye’s Maritime and Cabotage Day on July 1, Bodrum Municipality teams paid tribute to the region’s rich seafaring legacy by visiting retired divers and sponge divers across several neighborhoods.
Organized by the Public Relations Coordination Center under the Directorate of Press and Public Relations, the visits took place in Turgutreis, Akyarlar, Yalıkavak, Kumbahçe, Çiftlik and central Bodrum. The team met with individuals who once played an active role in Bodrum’s maritime life, engaging in heartfelt conversations about the region’s underwater traditions.
During the visits, former sponge divers shared stories about the challenging working conditions of the past, the journey of the sponge from sea to shore, and the trade’s vital contributions to the local economy. Their personal accounts offered a glimpse into Bodrum’s cultural memory and maritime spirit.
The veterans emphasized the importance of preserving the professions of diving and sponge diving as part of Bodrum’s cultural heritage, stressing their deep roots in respect for the sea and community solidarity.
These visits, part of an ongoing initiative across the peninsula, aim to document and preserve maritime oral histories. The collected memories and insights will contribute to cultural archiving and local heritage projects.
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