Semi-Final Excitement at the Golden Karagöz

Semi-final excitement filled the 38th International Golden Karagöz (Altın Karagöz) Folk Dance Competition, organized by the Bursa Culture, Art and Tourism Foundation (BKSTV) under the leadership of Bursa Metropolitan Municipality. The international folk dance teams competing for the Golden Karagöz award gave their all before the jury on semi-final night, each presenting an eight-minute performance at the Kültürpark Open-Air Theatre.

Over five nights, the competing teams from Bulgaria, Algeria, South Korea, Georgia, Hungary, Mexico, Moldova, Russia, Serbia, Chile, Uruguay, Greece and Iran brought to the stage their finest folk dances reflecting their countries' cultural heritage. Winning over audiences with colorful costumes, distinctive music and captivating choreography, the teams delivered their best performances in pursuit of the Golden Karagöz.

Under the competition rules, each team appeared before the jury members with an eight-minute performance, evaluated on numerous criteria including choreography, stage command, technical proficiency, the authenticity of the musical instruments, and folkloric values. Following the scoring, the jury completed its assessments ahead of the final night on the evening of July 12, when the winner of the Golden Karagöz will be decided.

After a week of performances at the Kültürpark Open-Air Theatre as well as at various locations across Bursa, filling the city with days of culture and art, all eyes have now turned to the competition final to be held on Sunday evening, July 12. The 38th International Golden Karagöz Folk Dance Competition will conclude with the final night, when the prize-winning teams will be announced and the Golden Karagöz will find its owner.