18th Büyükçekmece Festival Hosts Folk Dancers from 64 Countries

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18th International Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival has ended with a glorious final. As Brazil comes first in the International Altınköprü Fold Dances Contest organized as part of the festival, theater actress Gülriz Sururi was granted Lifetime Honorary Award and Haldun Dormen was given Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Our goal is to bring world cultures together”

Commenting on the festival for bianet, Head of Folk Dances Federation of Turkey, Turkish Folklore Institute and International Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival Committee H. Gürhan Ozanoğlu said “Our goal is not only to bring the folk dances but also all cultures from around the world together”.

“I believe our festival will again be selected as the Best Festival of the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts We are working for international love and peace. As the Folklore Institute we are feeling proud of being a part of this festival”.

“A world festival”

Speaking to bianet, Festival Committee Member Selim İnce stressed that the festival is the only culture and art festival in Turkey that is in the category A of the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts.

İnce said that the festival contributes in world peace and the festival’s main slogan is “Love for Each Other Peace for All of Us”.

İnce added that the festival is not merely a municipality festival, all activities were held under the control of International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts. (AS/EA/TK)