ANTALYA - The first sand sculpture festival whose theme is ``The Myths of Anatolia`` has begun in Lara Beach in southern resort city of Antalya on Wednesday.
22 artists from 10 countries shaped sand sculptures with several themes including ``Nasreddin Hodja``, ``Nemrut Myth``, ``Noah`s Ark``, ``Flag Legend``, ``Fairy Chimneys``, ``Midas`` and ``Troy Horse``.
Mesut Ozbek, a project coordinator from Turkish Culture & Tourism Ministry, said that they expected nearly 500,000 visitors to the exhibition that would remain open till October 15th, 2006.
The exhibition, which cost 500,000 euros, has opened on an area of 8,000 square meters.