The 4th International Folk Dance Festival, hosted by Kartal Municipality with the contributions of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), started with colorful events. The festival witnessed an unforgettable opening with the dance, music and enthusiasm of different cultures.
The first day of the festival witnessed a meeting of culture, art and friendship. Folk dance troupes from Turkey and abroad gave an unforgettable day to both Kartal residents and guests from all over Istanbul. In the festival, cortege marches, mehteran performances, folk dance performances and traditional workshops literally transformed Kartal into a cultural capital.
Intimate meeting with Mayor Gökhan Yüksel
The day started at 14.00 at the Kartal Municipality Assembly Hall. Group representatives met with Kartal Mayor Gökhan Yüksel to discuss cultural cooperation and gifts were presented. During the meeting, which took place in a friendly atmosphere, Mayor Gökhan Yüksel thanked all participants, saying ’Kartal is always the home of culture and art“.
Great interest in women's labor market
The opening of the 3rd Traditional Women's Labour Festival, which was organized simultaneously with the International Folk Dance Festival, also attracted great interest from Kartal residents.
The event included exhibitions, a bazaar and “Bring Your Material” workshops, where the handmade products produced by women at the Women's Labor Market were exhibited.
Eagle streets turned into a festive place
At 19.30, the cortege march started from Neyzen Tevfik Square and continued to Kartal Square accompanied by enthusiastic music and applause. Folk dance teams cheered the streets of Kartal with their colorful costumes and melodies. The participation of children in the cortege with flags and the intense interest of citizens transformed Kartal into a festive place.
Grand opening of the festival
At the grand opening, which took place in Kartal Square at 20.00, local and foreign groups took the stage and performed their own cultural dances. Hundreds of people who filled the square shared the enthusiasm with applause and accompaniment to the melodies. The stage performance of the dance groups from Turkey, Macedonia, Mexico, Bulgaria, Georgia, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Italy and Slovakia received full marks from the audience.
“We are experiencing the festival enthusiasm in Kartal even if we don't taste it”
Kartal Mayor Gökhan Yüksel presented a plaque to the dancers of Gebze Down Syndrome Disabled People's Association, who gave an unforgettable stage performance.
In his speech, Mayor Gökhan Yüksel emphasized that Turkey and the world are going through difficult times, especially the events in Palestine;
“We have not been able to come together for a long time. We are going through difficult times both in our country and in our geography. We are closely following the war in Palestine and the events in Ukraine. Today, Gaza was again on the agenda of our National Assembly. We have no taste. But we are here in Kartal to keep the holiday enthusiasm alive. Our folk dances festival has a long history. We have to protect this history. We offer our endless thanks to all of you. May the unifying power of art increase in Kartal. I present my love and respect to all of you.”.
The 4th International Folk Dance Festival will continue until September 1st. With cortege marches, stage performances, concerts and workshops, for four days; the heart of dance, music, labor and peace will beat in Kartal.