[72659] Turkish President Erdogan in a lighthearted conversation with journalists about the simit tradition

President Erdogan in an amused discussion about simit pastries

During the holiday events on May 27, 2026, the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, held an informal meeting with journalists in Istanbul. The meeting was accompanied by a light atmosphere, as the President chose to serve the participants the traditional simit pastry.

According to reports from TRT Haber and A Haber, media outlets associated with the government line in Turkey, the conversation shifted to personal aspects when the question arose as to whether "the simit of Rize has a different place in the heart." President Erdogan answered with a smile: "No. The Istanbul simit has its own place, the Ankara simit has its own place, and the Rize simit has a completely different place".

The Haber Gündem channel also referred to the event, noting that the President's answer "brought a smile to the faces" of those present. The reports emphasize the human and informal side of the President during the holiday celebrations, focusing on a relaxed conversation about regional culinary traditions in Turkey.