The world’s best festival started with colorful and magnificent shows

The official opening ceremony of the International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival, which has been awarded the "World’s Best Culture and Art Festival" 7 times by the World Festivals Association, was held with colorful and magnificent shows.

After the official opening ceremony held in Büyükçekmece Kültürpark, a visual feast was experienced with the festival flame.

“Love For Each Other Peace For All"

In the festival attended by 367 art ambassadors from 65 countries, the message of “Love for Each Other, Peace for All” was given to the whole world over the Historical Suleiman the Magnificent Bridge. Special dance shows, mehteran (janissary) band show, international puppet workshops and handcrafts workshops, music concert on the lake, flyboard and jetcar shows were held. Press awards of the year were presented to journalist Barış Pehlivan and Barış Terkoğlu. The concert given by Fatih Erkoç, who took the stage at the final of the night, for health workers and teachers, brought the enthusiasm to the top.

CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Ms. Dr. Canan Kaftancıoğlu, Deputy Secretary General of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Ms. Şengül Altan Arslan, Consul General of Kosovo in Istanbul Ms. Suzan Novoberdaliu, Consul General of Tunisia in Istanbul Mr. Hedi Malek, Education and Culture Attache of TRNC Mr. Koralp Şerifoğlu attended the official opening ceremony of the 22nd International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival.

Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival became a world festival in 22 years

After the festival opening ceremony and the flag show of the countries, the traditional festival flame was fired. Dr. Hasan Akgün, the mayor of Büyükçekmece thanked everyone who contributed to the festival held under pandemic conditions and said: "The 22nd International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival started despite everything and continues with cultural richness. Unfortunately, we had a difficult festival period in the shadow of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. We are proud to organize a festival in these difficult two years in order to maintain the cultural life. For the last two years, Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality has given us great strength by making the “Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival” the festival of Istanbul. I would like to thank Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu and all those who contributed.”

The World’s best festival award 7 times in a row

In the continuation of his speech, Akgün talked about the importance of the festival in the world and said: “The World Folk Dance Competition, which the World Folk Dance Federation insistently emphasizes, is held in a virtual platform. World photography competition was held in virtual platform. Teaching children's themed puppet art and other artistic activities related to children are very important. Puppet workshops are held this year. Participation in the World Handcrafts Symposium has been reduced and continues with around 35-40 countries in the caravanserai. Sculptor participation has been reduced. Sculptors from 15 countries continue to make their sculptures. Exhibits reflecting very interesting and beautiful cultural handcrafts were created. Particularly, the exhibitions related to the award-winning photographs and other artistic activities in the photography contest are extremely remarkable. It is possible for everyone to watch these exhibitions until Sunday evening. The main thing here is that the Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival, which has been awarded the world’s best festival 7 times in a row by CIOFF and FIDAF and won the "Festival Honor Award" by the World Festivals Association this year, makes a very important contribution to the world’s cultural life, artistic life and peace. Just as Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu dedicated this festival to Istanbul, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism should undertake all that festivals and make them stand out in the world. Festivals should be kept alive in order to keep cultural and artistic life alive.”

“This pride belongs to all of us”

Mr. Gürhan Ozanoğlu, Vice Chairman of the Festival Committee and 2nd President of the International Folk Dance Federation (FIDAF), stated that the festival received the best festival award 7 times and said: “We have been organizing this Festival for 22 years. There is not much to say. The people of Büyükçekmece say it all. Together with them and Dr. Hasan Akgün, we were chosen as the world’s best festival for 7 times, and last year we were chosen as honor festival in the world. This pride belongs to all of us.”