Message of love and peace from the youth of 100 countries
The official opening ceremony of the festival turned into a visual feast!
The official opening ceremony of the 24th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival was held. 1580 culture and art ambassadors participating in the festival from 100 countries gave the message “Love to each other, peace for all” to the whole world over the historical Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Bridge, the work of Mimar Sinan.
The official opening ceremony of the 24th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival, which will take place between July 26 and August 5, was held on July 31 at Büyükçekmece Kültürpark. The official opening ceremony of the festival, attended by 1580 culture and art ambassadors from 100 countries on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Republic, started with the representatives of the country planting flowers in the garden of love. Then on the bridge; the water-flyboard show, fireworks shows, the “Epic of the Century” show, the Mehteran and Zeybek shows turned into a visual feast, accompanied by dance performances with the traditional costumes of the countries. At the end of the night, the festival torch was lit for the 24th time, with the young people attending the festival from 5 continents and children from Büyükçekmece.
CHP Istanbul Deputy Turan Taşkın Özer, Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Murat Karayalçın, former CHP chairmen Altan Öymen and Hikmet Çetin, district mayors attended the opening as well as many guests.
“It is a part of the 100th anniversary celebration of our Republic.”
Speaking at the opening, the Mayor of Büyükçekmece, Dr. Hasan Akgün said: “The 24th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival continues at full speed over the historical Mimar Sinan Bridge. Today is 31st July and the international opening is held this evening. In fact, the work has both an official and a local dimension. Soon there will be interesting visual effects on the lake. Then we will enter the amphitheater. Flags of 100 countries will be on the stage and speeches will be made. We will open the festival internationally and light the torch of the festival. Our festival is also a part of 100th anniversary celebration of our Republic.”
Mayor Akgün continued his statements as follows:
“There is not only folk dance or sculpture at this festival. There are also handicraft workshop and other workshops from 100 countries of the world. As you know, our teacher Okay Temiz is a world artist in rhythm. The whole world knows him. There is his exhibition at the festival. There is an exhibition with saz and various instruments that you cannot see anywhere else. There is also a performance. I recommend you watch it. The world’s best known puppet artists on themes related to children are in Büyükçekmece. They are both doing and performing. We recommend that you watch them. It has an incredible cultural richness. There is a magnificent abundance of art and culture at the 24th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival. Everyone is welcome, don’t miss it. Büyükçekmece awaits you on the Mimar Sinan Bridge in Kültür Park.
“This outstanding effort has gifted us a 24-year-old festival.” Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, stated that he has been following the festival closely for 20 years and said: “Although we are all guests here tonight together with our very esteemed chairmen, esteemed deputies, mayors and foreign mission chiefs of countries, I have been the host of this festival for years.” Because it has been close to 20 years since I discovered the festival. Frankly, I have been a close follower of this festival for 15, 16 years and even when I was not a political person, I tried to be a part of the festival as a business person. Because the festival deserves it. Such traditions are not easily gifted to society. It takes a lot of effort. It requires a great initial determination. In this respect, our very esteemed Mayor, Mr. Hasan Akgün, put forth a careful work and a careful beginning with his valuable friends. Now, this determination, this outstanding effort has gifted us a 24-year-old festival.”
