“Art meets with love, cultures meet with friendship for the 24th time”

Since the science of folk dances, which has a history equivalent to the history of humanity, is life itself, therefore the history of culture and art began with the history of humanity. Staying away from the values that have their roots in the beginning of humanity, detaching from cultural and artistic values is like detaching from life itself.
As a result of this perception, we have made a great contribution to the promotion of our city and our country, while bringing the world’s culture and art together with the people of Istanbul in Büyükçekmece for 23 years. Having achieved great success, the International Istanbul-Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival is on the Türkiye’s first Category A festivals and a member of UNESCO’s CIOFF (International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts). Our Festival has been selected as the World’s Best Festival 7 times by the evaluation of international institutions. More than 110,000 art and culture ambassadors have attended our 23 festivals that we have held so far, and these artists had the opportunity to get to know our country, people and culture thanks to the festival.

Artists participating in our festival get to know our country, and with the friendship bridge established among us, there is a vibrant cultural exchange. Moreover, the art ambassadors we host become honorary cultural ambassadors by sharing Turkish hospitality and promoting our country’s culture in their own countries.

As a part of our Festival, International Golden Bridge Folk Dance Competition, International Golden Bridge Contemporary Dance Competition, International Büyükçekmece Sculpture Symposium, International Handicrafts Exhibition “Workshop Festival”, International Children’s Handicrafts Workshop, International Puppet Festival and International Photography Competition are organized.
This year at the 24th International Istanbul-Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival, we will host 1580 art ambassadors from 100 countries in Büyükçekmece between 26 July – 05 August 2023.