Participants

Social Entrepreneur — Founder & CEO, London's Community Kitchen & Urban Farmer

A Le Cordon Bleu trained chef and member of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, awarded an MBE for his work on community welfare and food sustainability. His projects are largely run by women; as a partner of King Charles III's “Harmony” philosophy he carries its message to the COP31 summit in Antalya.

Director & Co-founder — Project 2nd Chance

An award-winning leader and British Empire Medal (BEM) recipient. She shares, through her own inspiring story, how empowering women transforms communities when women are trusted with a platform, education and the confidence to lead.

Workshop Leader — Traditional Belgian Waffles

Spouse of the Belgian Defence Attaché in Ankara. She joins the festival with a hands-on traditional Belgian waffle workshop.

Farming Family — Maasdam, Netherlands

Two sisters from a family that has farmed for over a century. A presentation on potato-growing techniques for warm climates, Dutch regional products and a Zeeuwse bol workshop.

Fashion Designer — Cafta Clothing

A modern touch on regional dress: a presentation of designs combining handcraft, rich embroidery and traditional Arab-Moroccan fashion with contemporary lines.

Workshop Leader — Moroccan Cuisine

A workshop on Moroccan cookies and tea brewing with Moroccan medicinal herbs.

Gazi University Faculty of Medicine — Chair of Medical Ethics and History

A talk bringing together the medical heritage that stretches from Knidos to today, the call of environmental bioethics, and the ethical questions of the AI age.

Gazi University Faculty of Medicine — Professor of Psychiatry

A talk on the psychological changes of ageing women, sleep problems and advice for improving quality of life.

Turkish Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism — Chair of the Obesity Working Group

A talk on GLP-1 receptor agonist medications, widely known as “weight-loss injections”, and what ageing women can do for a healthy metabolism.

Chef — Casius Antioch Kitchen (Michelin Bib Gourmand 2026)

A gastronomic journey from Hatay's Yayladağ to Istanbul's Cihangir; co-founder of the first and only restaurant to bring Antakya cuisine into the Michelin Guide. Talk and workshop.

2026 Michelin Young Chef Award — Yaka Mengen III, Datça

From the Yaka Mengen III restaurant in Datça, winner of the 2026 Michelin Young Chef Award. Talk and workshop.

South Aegean Development Agency — Head of Rural Development

A talk on rural development support programmes.

President, Anatolian Ahi Women's Cooperative Union

A talk on women's cooperative unions.

President, Lycia Women's Cooperative

The women's cooperative that opened a fashion store in Edinburgh. Talk.

President, Ortaca El Ele Women's Cooperative

A talk on developing products from field to table.

Management Consultant, Human Development Foundation

A talk on digital capacity for women's cooperatives, branding strategies and being a woman entrepreneur in business.

Founding President, Dore Mimi Talent and Education Foundation

She runs art-centred projects for disadvantaged groups, children and the elderly, spreading the healing and unifying power of art. A versatile entrepreneur with 15 books and 33 documentaries. Talk.

Entrepreneur — Datça Silk Craft

Works in sericulture, silk fabric and silk products in Datça. Atelier and workshop sessions.

Founder — Asırlık Tezgâh (The Century-Old Loom)

Creates modern products with Datça's nearly forgotten çul kilim weaving. Atelier and workshop sessions.

Festival Runway Designer — Academic (Bahçeşehir, Bilgi and Kültür Universities)

Lecturer in fashion design with national and international awards (Marmara University first prize 2011, Pegasus Jury Special Award 2010, Euroskills Jury Special Award 2009, among others). Designer of the TORTU runway show.

Fashion Curator — Cubis Art Istanbul

A graduate of Istanbul Kültür University in Arts and Culture Management; project-based curator at Cubis Art Istanbul, content creator and publisher at UniversumVitae.