The City and The Brooch

Described by the renowned 17th-century Ottoman traveler Evliya Çelebi in his Seyahatname with the words: "Due to the beauty of its vineyards, gardens, air, and water, the City of Lovers (Şehr-i Uşşak) has many who love and are loved; whoever stays in this city for two days falls in love on the third day." Anciently known as Temenothyrea, Usak stands as a rich crossroad connecting Western and Central Anatolia.

Home to the world's first usage of minted coins in Lydia and one of the world's largest canyon formations, Ulubey Canyon; Usak bears witness to deep Anatolian history through monuments like the Clandras Bridge, Blaundos Ancient Ruins, Roman Baths, and the historical Burma Mosque.

The most famous and exquisite artifact of the famed Lydian Croesus (Karun) Treasure, which gives its name to our festival and trophies, is the Winged Seahorse Brooch, currently preserved and exhibited at the Usak Archaeological Museum.

The Hippocampus is a mythical sea creature depicted with the forequarters of a winged horse and the tail of a fish. In ancient Aegean mythology, it served as the majestic steed of the sea god Poseidon and the Nereids, establishing a poetic link between humans, deities, and the sea.

Crafted by Lydian artisans in the 6th century BC, this solid gold brooch features meticulous granulation and repoussé techniques accompanied by dangling pomegranate pendants. Symbolizing cinema's boundless creative power and aesthetic soaring, our festival awards draw enduring inspiration from this unique historical heritage.