International Golden Karagöz Folk Dance Competition Has Started

The International Bursa Festival, which was held for the 60th time this year and has brought Bursa art lovers together with many local and foreign famous names since 12 June, left its enthusiasm to the 34th International Golden Karagöz Folk Dance Competition.

The 34th Golden Karagöz Folk Dance Competition, organized by the Bursa Culture, Art and Tourism Foundation (BKSTV) on behalf of Bursa Metropolitan Municipality with the support of the Ministry of Culture and with the main sponsorship of Harput Holding, started with the participation of 18 dancers from 575 countries and 22 local groups. At the opening night at the Open Air Theatre, teams from all countries gave the start of the exciting competition with their 3-minute shows. The International Golden Karagöz Folk Dance Competition, which is considered to be the continuation of the International Bursa Festival, which has the title of being the longest-running event in Turkey, and brings dancers from many different countries of the world together in Bursa for the 34th time this year, will continue until 7 July.

Speaking at the opening night, Sadi Etkeser, Chairman of the Bursa Culture, Art and Tourism Foundation (BKSTV), underlined that the competition, which is shown as one of the world's leading organizations in its field, is also an event that contributes to world peace. Etkeser pointed out that the contest, which has been held for 34 years, is eagerly awaited by both art lovers from Bursa and world dancers, adding that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, and sponsors Harput Holding, Seva Holding, Erikli, Sur Yapı Marka AVM, Hayat Hospital, contributed to the realization of the event. He thanked Neskar Automotive and Bursa Gastronomy Association.

Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Süleyman Çelik reminded that the International Golden Karagöz Folk Dance Competition is the only organization of Turkey with its special format. Noting that Altın Karagöz is a platform where the cultures of countries are freely exhibited rather than a competition, Çelik said, “Bursa is a city that has built a civilization and gifted it to the world. As the 2022 Turkish World Culture Capital, we are proud to host the blend of world culture in Bursa. In these days when we need unity, solidarity, peace and freedom more than ever, the Golden Karagöz Folk Dance Competition will spread messages of peace from Bursa to the world.”

World cultures in Bursa

With the International Golden Karagöz Folk Dance Competition, one of the most prestigious competitions in the world and hosting folk dance teams from many different countries of the world, there will be a meeting of cultures in Bursa as well as colorful shows. This year, 18 foreign dancers will take part in the event, where 575 countries will compete. In the folk dance competition, in which 22 local groups will participate, nearly 1200 dancers will showcase their culture and skills.

The city will be colored

After a two-year hiatus, the excitement of the International Golden Karagöz Folk Dance Competition, which is longingly awaited by both world dancers and Bursa residents, will spread all over the city. The teams, who will exhibit their shows at 6 different points in 17 districts for 20 days, will spread the excitement of the competition and their colorful culture to all the streets of Bursa.

Don't forget to buy your ticket for the final night

In addition to the Open Air Theatre, the shows to be held at the lively points of the city such as Kent Square, Suryapı Marka AVM, Podium Park and Yıldırım Attraction Center will be held free of charge and open to the public, and the final night to be held on the evening of 7 July will be ticketed. Tickets, which will be sold for 20 TL per person, can be obtained from Biletnial.com platform, Tayyare Cultural Center and Open Air Theater box offices. Folk dance teams from Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czechia, Dagestan, Georgia, India, Montenegro, Kazakhstan, TRNC., Kosovo, North Macedonia, Hungary, Mexico, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Serbia and Poland will participate in the competition.