Haberler
02.08.2026
The “World’s Best Festival,” featuring 62 countries, came to a spectacular close
Organized in collaboration between the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the Büyükçekmece Municipality, the 27th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Arts Festival which brought together cultures from around the world on the same stage concluded with a spectacular finale featuring breathtaking performances by 650 culture and arts ambassadors from 62 countries.
During the unforgettable final night of the festival which has been honored 12 times in a row by international evaluation organizations with the “World’s Best Culture and Arts Festival” award excitement reached its peak at the International Altınköprü Folk Dance Competition Awards Ceremony, held following the colorful performances by the International Altınköprü Folk Dance Ensemble. During the dance performances, which were full of vibrant moments, the Spanish team’s unfurling of the Turkish flag was met with a long standing ovation.
Spain Unfurled the Turkish Flag; Thousands Applauded
In recent months, the warming of relations between Türkiye and Spain has gained momentum thanks to Spain’s anti-war foreign policy, its support for Palestine, and their shared stances on regional crises, sparking a wave of mutual solidarity among the public and on social media in both countries. Examples of this growing closeness were also seen at the 27th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Arts Festival. When Spanish dancers took the stage during the festival’s closing night and unfurled the Turkish flag at the end of their performance, they were met with applause from the thousands in the audience.
Brazil is the champion!
The final day of the 27th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Arts Festival, held this year, served as the stage for a grand visual feast where art and cultures converged. During the evening filled with the rhythms of dance and music, the special performances by the International Altınköprü Folk Dance Ensemble drew intense interest from thousands of art lovers who packed the Kültürpark Kemal Sunal Amphitheater. Following evaluations by a jury of international academics, awards were presented in a ceremony to the folk dance groups from competing countries. Brazil took first place in the competition, while the Republic of Dagestan came in second, and Bulgaria and Russia tied for third.
The Awards Have Been Presented
Ecuador won the Büyükçekmece Municipality Special Award. Poland won the People’s Choice Award. Chile won the Jury Special Award. Russia won the First Prize for Best Solo and Duet Dancer. Chile won the Second Prize for Best Solo and Duet Dancer. Mexico won the Third Prize for Best Solo and Duet Dancer. Bulgaria won the Best Choreography Award. Romania won the Best Music Award. Spain won the Best Costume Award. Spain won the First Honorable Mention Award. Mexico won the Second Honorable Mention Award. Romania won the Third Honorable Mention Award.
“I would like to thank everyone who contributed to such a wonderful festival.”
Ali İkram Tuna, the District Governor of Büyükçekmece, who attended the festival’s closing ceremony, thanked everyone involved and said: “We have reached the end of yet another edition of this wonderful event that transforms our district into a vibrant, colorful place every summer. We were only able to make it for the final part. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to this complex organization a festival that, from start to finish, engaged so many of our citizens and children across a wide range of fields, from culture to art to music. Our acting mayor and his team, along with their colleagues and staff, have personally planned every detail of this event and festival for perhaps more than two months. At every stage of the process, they personally managed every step with the utmost vigilance, ensuring that our guests from 62 countries could enjoy their activities in peace and return home safely. On behalf of all the residents of Büyükçekmece, I extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of them. Above all, I would like to once again thank you, the residents of Büyükçekmece, who came to the event venues every day, kept these events going, and provided the greatest source of motivation to our children participating in these performances with your warm applause.”
Hakan Çebi: “With the hope of meeting again at the 28th festival”
Hakan Çebi, Acting Mayor of Büyükçekmece, thanked everyone who supported the festival and contributed to its success, saying: “Tonight, we are not merely closing a festival; we are sharing the joy of once again experiencing together the boundless power of friendship, fraternity, culture, and art. Throughout the 27th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Arts Festival, which we held with great pride, our cultural and artistic ambassadors from 62 different countries brought their traditions, melodies, and dances together in Büyükçekmece.” Our call of “Love for each other, peace for all!”which has been echoing from Büyükçekmece to the entire world for years resonates today more powerfully than ever. Because we believe that culture and art are the strongest bridges for people to understand one another, for friendships to be forged, and for lasting peace to be achieved. This journey, which began 27 years ago under the leadership of our Mayor of Büyükçekmece, Dr. Hasan Akgün, has today become one of the world’s most respected cultural and artistic organizations. We are honored and proud that our International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Arts Festival the first and only festival in Category A of the World Festivals Association has been selected 12 times in a row as the “World’s Best Festival” by CIOFF and FIDAF, international organizations affiliated with UNESCO. I extend my heartfelt thanks to my fellow residents of Büyükçekmece and to all Istanbullus who share in our festival excitement. I look forward to seeing you all again at the 28th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Arts Festival. I greet you all with respect and love; and from our festival stage, we once again proclaim to the whole world: “Love for each other , Peace for all!”
During the unforgettable final night of the festival which has been honored 12 times in a row by international evaluation organizations with the “World’s Best Culture and Arts Festival” award excitement reached its peak at the International Altınköprü Folk Dance Competition Awards Ceremony, held following the colorful performances by the International Altınköprü Folk Dance Ensemble. During the dance performances, which were full of vibrant moments, the Spanish team’s unfurling of the Turkish flag was met with a long standing ovation.
Spain Unfurled the Turkish Flag; Thousands Applauded
In recent months, the warming of relations between Türkiye and Spain has gained momentum thanks to Spain’s anti-war foreign policy, its support for Palestine, and their shared stances on regional crises, sparking a wave of mutual solidarity among the public and on social media in both countries. Examples of this growing closeness were also seen at the 27th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Arts Festival. When Spanish dancers took the stage during the festival’s closing night and unfurled the Turkish flag at the end of their performance, they were met with applause from the thousands in the audience.
Brazil is the champion!
The final day of the 27th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Arts Festival, held this year, served as the stage for a grand visual feast where art and cultures converged. During the evening filled with the rhythms of dance and music, the special performances by the International Altınköprü Folk Dance Ensemble drew intense interest from thousands of art lovers who packed the Kültürpark Kemal Sunal Amphitheater. Following evaluations by a jury of international academics, awards were presented in a ceremony to the folk dance groups from competing countries. Brazil took first place in the competition, while the Republic of Dagestan came in second, and Bulgaria and Russia tied for third.
The Awards Have Been Presented
Ecuador won the Büyükçekmece Municipality Special Award. Poland won the People’s Choice Award. Chile won the Jury Special Award. Russia won the First Prize for Best Solo and Duet Dancer. Chile won the Second Prize for Best Solo and Duet Dancer. Mexico won the Third Prize for Best Solo and Duet Dancer. Bulgaria won the Best Choreography Award. Romania won the Best Music Award. Spain won the Best Costume Award. Spain won the First Honorable Mention Award. Mexico won the Second Honorable Mention Award. Romania won the Third Honorable Mention Award.
“I would like to thank everyone who contributed to such a wonderful festival.”
Ali İkram Tuna, the District Governor of Büyükçekmece, who attended the festival’s closing ceremony, thanked everyone involved and said: “We have reached the end of yet another edition of this wonderful event that transforms our district into a vibrant, colorful place every summer. We were only able to make it for the final part. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to this complex organization a festival that, from start to finish, engaged so many of our citizens and children across a wide range of fields, from culture to art to music. Our acting mayor and his team, along with their colleagues and staff, have personally planned every detail of this event and festival for perhaps more than two months. At every stage of the process, they personally managed every step with the utmost vigilance, ensuring that our guests from 62 countries could enjoy their activities in peace and return home safely. On behalf of all the residents of Büyükçekmece, I extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of them. Above all, I would like to once again thank you, the residents of Büyükçekmece, who came to the event venues every day, kept these events going, and provided the greatest source of motivation to our children participating in these performances with your warm applause.”
Hakan Çebi: “With the hope of meeting again at the 28th festival”
Hakan Çebi, Acting Mayor of Büyükçekmece, thanked everyone who supported the festival and contributed to its success, saying: “Tonight, we are not merely closing a festival; we are sharing the joy of once again experiencing together the boundless power of friendship, fraternity, culture, and art. Throughout the 27th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Arts Festival, which we held with great pride, our cultural and artistic ambassadors from 62 different countries brought their traditions, melodies, and dances together in Büyükçekmece.” Our call of “Love for each other, peace for all!”which has been echoing from Büyükçekmece to the entire world for years resonates today more powerfully than ever. Because we believe that culture and art are the strongest bridges for people to understand one another, for friendships to be forged, and for lasting peace to be achieved. This journey, which began 27 years ago under the leadership of our Mayor of Büyükçekmece, Dr. Hasan Akgün, has today become one of the world’s most respected cultural and artistic organizations. We are honored and proud that our International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Arts Festival the first and only festival in Category A of the World Festivals Association has been selected 12 times in a row as the “World’s Best Festival” by CIOFF and FIDAF, international organizations affiliated with UNESCO. I extend my heartfelt thanks to my fellow residents of Büyükçekmece and to all Istanbullus who share in our festival excitement. I look forward to seeing you all again at the 28th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Arts Festival. I greet you all with respect and love; and from our festival stage, we once again proclaim to the whole world: “Love for each other , Peace for all!”