Arhavi (Laz: არქაბი/Arǩabi; Georgian: არქაბი/Arkabi) is a town in Artvin Province located in the Black Sea Region of Turkey. It is the seat of Arhavi District.İlçe Belediyesi, Turkey Civil Administration Departments Inventory. Retrieved 30 January 2023. Its population is 17,558 (2022), making it the third most populous municipality in Artvin Province. Laz people form a large portion of the population. The terrain is hilly and mountainous. Area of the city center is about . The length of the coast is about . Arhavi is famous by the Culture and Art Festival that celebrated since 1973.
Etymology Arhavi is "Arkabi" in Laz means "Old Viçe" or "Old village"Öztürk suggested it Arhka "antique, old" and Vitse "Former name of neighbour town Fındıklı. Özhan Öztürk. Pontus: Antik Çağ’dan Günümüze Karadeniz’in Etnik ve Siyasi Tarihi Genesis Yayınları. Ankara, 2011. p. 776 and was formerly known as its river "Kapisre".
History
The Ottoman Period Arhavi was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1486.
During the First World War, in which the Ottoman Empire was an ally of Germany and Austria-Hungary, the Russian army occupied Arhavi on 14 January 1916.
The Republican Period
Geography Arhavi Black Sea Region is located in the eastern Black Sea. It is bordered by the Black Sea in the North, the city lies west of Hopa and east of the Yusufeli border. The South is surrounded by hazelnut forests.
A typical Black Sea climate prevails in the district, characterized by warm summers and cool winters. In every season rainfall is common. The humid and mild climate is suitable for the cultivation of tea, nuts, corn and citrus.
The people of Arhavi are mainly Laz and the district attracts visitors from neighbouring Georgia.
Quarters The town Arhavi consists of 7 quarters: Aşağı Hacılar, Cumhuriyet, Kale, Musazade, Yemişlik, Yukarı Hacılar and Boğaziçi.Mahalle, Turkey Civil Administration Departments Inventory. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
Population
Government Elected mayors and political parties by year:
2024 - Turgay Ataselim AKP 2019 - Vasfi Kurdoğlu CHP 2014 - Coşkun Hekimoğlu AKP 2009 - Coşkun Hekimoğlu AKP 2004 - Musa Ulutaş CHP 1999 - Vasfi Kurdoğlu ANAP 1994 - Vasfi Kurdoğlu DYP 1989 - Mehmet Çorbacıoğlu SHP 1984 - İ.Fethi Özkazanç SODEP 1977 - Kazım Kurdoğlu AP 1973 - AP 1968 - Rüştü Hatinoğlu AP 1963 - CHP
Culture and art
Arhavi Culture & Arts Festival The Arhavi Kültür ve Sanat Festivali is an annual festival which first took place in Arhavi in 1973. The festival which runs for three days is usually held in August. During the festival, popular musicians from all over Turkey perform daily. A regular guest singer is the very famous Arhavi native Cengiz Kurtoğlu. Along with the many singers who perform, the local folk dance "Horon" is performed by professional dancers and local school children.
Well-known citizens Arhavili Ismail "Arhavili Ismail" is a poem about the Turkish War of Independence by Nazim Hikmet, it has been recorded by Zulfu Livaneli, music star born into an Artvin family, and by local musician Volkan Konak.
References
External links Photos of Arhavi