The world’s best culture and art festival opened with a magnificent ceremony
At the official opening ceremony of the 25th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival, organised in cooperation with Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Büyükçekmece Municipality, 1200 art ambassadors from 75 countries gave the message of ‘Love to Each Other, Peace for All’ to the whole world on the historical Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Bridge, the work of Mimar Sinan.
The official opening ceremony of the 25th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival, which has been awarded the ‘World’s Best Culture and Art Festival’ award 9 times in a row by the World Festivals Association, took place in Büyükçekmece Kültürpark and was attended by Istanbul people from 7 to 70. The opening ceremony was attended by former CHP chairmen Altan Öymen, Hikmet Çetin, mayors, diplomats and many local and foreign guests.
Unforgettable moments were experienced with magnificent visual shows
The magnificent official opening ceremony of the 25th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival started with the IBB Band Concert. After 1200 art ambassadors from 75 countries planted flowers in the garden of love, country plaques were hung on the peace log. On the historical Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Bridge, the work of Mimar Sinan, a magnificent visual feast was experienced with IBB Mehteran Zeybek performances and water-light and flyboard shows. The culture and art ambassadors participating in the festival provided unforgettable moments with their country flags and colourful national folkloric dresses and dance performances accompanied by their unique music.
Mayor Akgün: “We emphasise culture, art, friendship and peace”
‘We are on the Mimarsinan Bridge to hold the official opening ceremony of the International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival. Preparations have been made on the bridge. They will hold hands and give the message that the World Festivals Association and UNESCO have been waiting for. They will say ‘Love to each other, Peace to all’. There is war all over the world. While wars continue in the quarter of the 21st century, festivals such as the Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival, which has never been bigger than this one. It is very important that these messages are sent and given to the world by these young people representing 75 countries of the world. Our age, our day is unfortunately experiencing very bad days. In these festivals, we emphasise culture, art, friendship and peace. Just as Atatürk said, ‘Peace at home, peace in the world’ is also the theme of our festival. I am waiting for everyone to this feast where cultures, art, friendship and love meet in Büyükçekmece Mimarsinan Kervansaray and Kültürpark until 02.00 on Saturday.’
