The world’s best festival opens its doors for the 25th time
The 25th International Istanbul Buyukcekmece Culture and Arts Festival this year brings together 1200 cultural and artistic ambassadors from 75 countries in Buyukcekmece.
The festival, taking place between July 24th and August 3rd in collaboration with Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Buyukcekmece Municipality, will once again offer unforgettable days to the people of Istanbul.
The 25th International Istanbul Buyukcekmece Culture and Arts Festival will once again host a series of captivating international events. These include the International Sculpture Symposium, the International Güler Ertan Photography Competition, the International Altınköprü Folk Dance Competition, the International Handicrafts Exhibition, the International Embroidery Workshop, the International Puppet Workshop, the International Children’s Handicrafts Workshop, public concerts, water shows, and more. The festival will also be home to intriguing exhibitions that promise to capture attention.
Anadolu Ateşi (Fire of Anatolia) will celebrate its 25th anniversary
The International Istanbul Buyukcekmece Culture and Arts Festival will commence with an official opening ceremony on Monday, July 29th, at the historic Kültürpark, enriched by the works of Mimar Sinan. The ceremony will feature a magnificent Flag Ceremony on the historic Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Bridge, adorned with flags from 75 participating countries. Following this, breathtaking dance, water, light, and flyboard shows over the Buyukcekmece Lake will captivate the audience.
At the Kemal Sunal Amphitheatre in Kültürpark, the official opening ceremony will be attended by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and guests. As part of the celebration of its 25th anniversary this year, the collaborative project “Adımlarla Çalışmak” between Anadolu Ateşi and Altınköprü Folk Dance Group will be performed.
This year, the festival is expanding across Istanbul
The 25th International Istanbul Buyukcekmece Culture and Arts Festival will extend its reach across Istanbul this year with the participation of dance groups from various countries, handicraft workshops, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Turkish Music Choir, Turkish Classical Music Ensemble, Municipal Band, and Mehteran Band. Throughout the festival, these teams will organize performances for the local residents in squares and cultural venues across different districts of Istanbul. Featuring cultural, artistic, and dance performances once again striving for the title of “The World’s Best Culture and Arts Festival,” the festival will conclude with a magnificent closing show on Saturday, August 3rd.
The press launch for the 25th International Istanbul Buyukcekmece Culture and Arts Festival will take place on Thursday, July 18th at ArtIstanbul Feshane.
Nine-time consecutive winner of the ‘World’s Best Festival’ award
The International Istanbul Buyukcekmece Culture and Arts Festival, which began in 2000 and became a member of the World Dance Festivals Association under UNESCO in 2003, is the only festival in Turkey in the A category and the first member of CIOFF. Celebrating its 25th edition this year, the festival has been honored nine times with the “World’s Best Culture and Arts Festival” award by the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF) and the International Dance Festivals Federation (FIDAF).
