Pakistani Embassy's Mango Fest showcases many varieties

By Dilara Hamit

ANKARA (AA) - The Pakistani Embassy in Ankara held the seventh edition of its annual mango festival Friday evening, making the day most anticipated event of the Turkish capital.

Several mango varieties had been flown in from Pakistan for the event.

In his speech at the festival, Ambassador Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi said: "Pakistani mangoes are as sweet as the brotherly Pakistan-Turkey relations."

Pakistan is the fifth largest producer of mangoes in the world and the sixth largest exporter by its exports to 57 countries.

"There are over 110 high quality varieties of mangoes, each comes to the market at different time, and the mango season lasts for about four months from May to September," Qazi said.

The ambassador said he hoped Pakistani mangoes would be brought to the Turkish markets on regular basis.

The most popular kinds of mango and several mango-based food were served to the guests, as well as desserts and traditional dishes such as Biryani and Basmati rice from the Pakistani cuisine.

Guests also enjoyed traditional Pakistani music at the event where several photographs and traditional dresses of Pakistan were also displayed.

Some participants won a box of mangoes from a raffle at the end of the festival.