Lokum Fest is authentic cultural and tourist event that celebrates the traditions of the glorious past of the city of Bitola (Monastir) at the time of the Ottoman Empire when the city experienced the greatest growth and importance and it was widely known as The City Of Consuls. At that time the old Turkish bazaar was an important place of events, encounters and experiences, and multiculturalism an
d tolerance among different ethnic groups was expressed through different customs, as the custom to offer Turkish delight and coffee (on Macedonian "lokum i cafe") to every man or woman that comes along with good intentions. This custom as a symbol of openness and multiculturalism unites people even now days. The custom of Turkish delight and coffee best reflects the mission of the festival: preservation of cultural heritage and tradition, development of cultural tourism, reviving small businesses and promoting multiculturalism and tolerance. Founder and organizer of the festival is the Association for Cultural Decontamination- Bitola, which is also the holder of the copyright and rights of industrial property for this event (TM2010/337, 2010/926, TM 2010/883). In its vision, the association also unites the ZUR-Macedonian Association of handicrafts, The Chamber of Crafts of Bitola and other associations and individuals. The festival is held every year (since 2007) in mid-July (21-22) in the heart of the old bazaar in Bitola.
