Organized for the 10th time this year, the International Antalya Sand Sculpture Festival kicked off with the motto "14 Wonders of the World and Mythology."

The festival is being held at Lara Birlik Public Beach and features more than 100 sand sculptures made using more than 100 tons of sand by 26 sand sculptors from 12 countries. The sculptures displayed at the festival are inspired by the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, which are designated by UNESCO, and the artworks are chosen based on a poll organized by the Sweden-based New 7 Wonders Foundation in 2007. Sand sculptures of the Coliseum in Rome, the Ancient City of Petra, Machu Picchu, the Scandinavian god Thor, the Greek goddess Aphrodite and many more attract much attention from visitors.

Speaking to an Anadolu Agency (AA) correspondent, Cem Karaca, the festival director, said that the International Antalya Sand Sculpture Festival is the world's biggest and oldest sand sculpture festival and that it has become a tradition in Antalya. "The people of Antalya and tourists have a chance to participate in a huge event of high quality. While they are mesmerized by the giant sand sculptures made from sand, they also learn new things about the ancient world and mythology," Karaca said.

Noting that they decided to display the sand sculptures throughout the year, Karaca said: "There is no other sand sculpture event in the world that visitors can visit for a whole year. Previously sand sculptures were partially destroyed by rain; however, thanks to new sculpting techniques, positive changes in Antalya's climate have made the sand sculptures more durable. Even when it is raining, there are a considerable number of visitors admiring the sand sculptures."

The exhibition is open between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Accompanied by a music broadcast on Lara Birlik Public Beach, those visiting the sculptures take off on a journey through time in a fairy-tale like land. For those interested in how sand sculptures are made, a video featuring the creative process of the artists is always running on screens on the beach. The festival also offers workshops and exclusive events geared for children at certain times of the year, and the participants are granted certificates. The entrance fee for the festival is TL 20. Turkish citizens receive a 25 percent discount, students receive 40 percent off and disabled people receive a 50 percent discount at the gates.