THE COLOURS OF THE WORLD CAME TOGETHER IN TAKSIM SQUARE
Taksim Square Turned into a World Stage
The wreath-laying ceremony of the 27th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival, selected as the "World's Best Culture and Art Festival" for 12 consecutive years by international evaluation organizations, took place in Taksim Square.
Organised in cooperation with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) and Büyükçekmece Municipality, the festival brought together representatives from 62 countries at the traditional gathering in Taksim Square. Artists from Spain, Brazil and Bulgaria transformed Taksim Square into a true world stage with their traditional dances, music and national flags.
The Colours and Melodies of Different Cultures Came Together
The opening ceremony of the 27th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival in Taksim Square brought together 650 cultural and art ambassadors from 62 countries. During the ceremony, which united the colours, sounds and traditions of different cultures, Acting Mayor of Büyükçekmece Hakan Çebi and Co-President of the Federation of International Dance Festivals (FIDAF) and Festival Committee Vice Chairman H. Gürhan Ozanoğlu laid a wreath at the Republic Monument.
A Tradition Started 27 Years Ago by Dr. Hasan Akgün Has Become a World Festival
Stating that the foundations of the International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival were laid 27 years ago by the Mayor of Büyükçekmece, Dr. Hasan Akgün, Acting Mayor of Büyükçekmece Hakan Çebi said:
"Today we are in Taksim for the 27th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival. We are here to lay a wreath at the Taksim Republic Monument, which has become a tradition. As you know, our festival, with the participation of 62 countries this year, was founded exactly 27 years ago by our Mayor, Hasan Akgün, and has been selected as the 'World's Best Festival' for the last 12 consecutive years. I congratulate all of our colleagues who contributed to this achievement. I would also like to thank the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality for its valuable support. I wish the festival great success for Büyükçekmece and for Istanbul."
"For 27 Years, Representatives of All Our Participating Countries Have Gathered Here with Their Flags"
Providing information about the scope and significance of the festival, FIDAF Co-President and Festival Committee Vice Chairman H. Gürhan Ozanoğlu said:
"Our festival consists of five main components: the International Sculpture Symposium, the International Puppet Shows, the International Güler Ertan Photography Competition and Exhibition, the International Altınköprü Folk Dance Competition, and the International Handicrafts Workshops. All performances are presented at the Kemal Sunal Amphitheatre in Kültürpark. In addition, more than 160 stands inside Kültürpark Kervansaray feature handicrafts, the award-winning photographs from the photography competition, children's activity workshops and puppet exhibitions, all of which can be visited by the people of Istanbul and our guests in Büyükçekmece until the evening of 1 August. We would be delighted to welcome everyone to the world's largest festival. As has been the tradition for the past 27 years, representatives of all participating countries are here today with their national flags. We will lay our wreath at the Republic Monument as a tribute to Atatürk. Symbolically, three countries will present short performances to invite the people of Istanbul, our tourists and all visitors to Büyükçekmece."