Art lovers meet at the festival in Büyükçekmece

The 22nd International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival gave a visual feast in Büyükçekmece.

The International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival, which is in the Category A of UNESCO-affiliated CIOFF, attracted great attention from the people of Büyükçekmece with colorful dance shows, puppet shows and music concerts.

“We managed to hold the festival under difficult conditions”

The opening of the exhibitions of "Scrap Metal Sculpture", "Velvet Art", "Opalin Objects Exhibition" and "Time to Time Watch Collection" was inaugurated by Dr. Hasan Akgün, the mayor of Büyükçekmece. Akgün visited the exhibitions one by one and thanked all art lovers for their contributions to the festival. In his opening speech, Akgün said: “Dear art lovers, dear people of Büyükçekmece, representatives of 65 countries and friends who gathered in Büyükçekmece in these difficult conditions at the 22nd International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival, welcome all of you. Despite the difficult conditions, we ensured the Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival to continue uninterrupted in line with the criteria set by CIOFF and FIDAF and the principles set by the World Health Organization’s scientific committees in our country. We continue to succeed. This success first belongs to those who came here from their countries in these difficult conditions. It then belongs to my Büyükçekmece family, to the Civil Society Organizations, to Büyükçekmece Municipality employees, to our city council members and to all of us. Therefore, I congratulate everyone who contributed.”

Never forget to maintain social distance and wear a mask

Emphasizing that everyone should be careful about wearing a mask and maintaining social distance, Akgün continued his speech as follows: “Tomorrow evening, we will make the official opening of the festival that we started in Taksim Square today. During this time, I wish everyone to protect themselves first. Do not forget to maintain social distance and wear a mask. Because conditions are getting worse. The number of our guests is not 2 thousand as it is every year. This number is around 350-400. Therefore, our job is easier.”