Tallest Man and Virgin Mary Exhibit Come to Anatolian Festival

LOS ANGELES, May 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Californians will be able to see the world's tallest man at the Fourth Anatolian Cultures and Food Festival, which returns to the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa on May 16-19, 2013.

31-year-old Sultan Kosen stands at 8 feet 3 inches tall and The Guinness Book of World Records lists him as the world's tallest living person. He also holds the record for the largest hands and the largest feet in the world.

"I feel proud to be inducted to the Guinness World Records," Kosen said. "I am very excited and happy to be at the Anatolian Festival and to be representing my home town of Mardin, where seven cultures have lived side by side for 7000 years."

Kosen, who is a part-time farmer, added that he enjoys the ability to see farther than anyone else but finds it difficult to buy clothes and shoes that fit, and getting into an ordinary-sized car. Festivalgoers will have a unique opportunity to meet Kosen and take pictures with him.

The ancient city of Mardin in southeastern Turkey is one of the interactive city exhibits which visitors can walk around and explore. They include Istanbul, Van, Konya, Antep and Kilis, all with colorful displays of their music, dance, food and rich history.

Virgin Mary Exhibit

New this year is also the city of Izmir (Smyrna), with three-dimension replicas of the House of Mary and ancient Ephesus.

The House of Mary is believed to date back to the 1st century and has been a pilgrimage site for Orthodox Christians for centuries. It was designated as such by Pope John Paul II and was visited by him and Paul IV. In 2006, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated mass there.

During the festival, nuns from the city of Orange will be at the site.  The Izmir exhibit also features the ancient Roman ruins of Ephesus with its amphitheater and library.

The line-up of performances includes the Whirling Dervishes, the Turkish Marching Band and folk dancing.

Tickets are available at www.anatolianfestival.org. For information call (310) 208-7290 or Atilla Kahveci, festival spokesperson at 818 746 5421.

Elif Cercel
Independent PR Consultant
[email protected]

SOURCE Anatolian Cultures and Food Festival