The footsteps of culture in Bursa: Golden Karagöz excitement begins

THE INTERNATIONAL GOLDEN KARAGÖZ FOLK DANCE COMPETITION RAISES ITS CURTAIN FOR THE 38TH TIME WITH NEARLY 700 DANCERS FROM 13 COUNTRIES.

Organized for the 38th time this year by the Bursa Culture, Art and Tourism Foundation (BKSTV) under the leadership of Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, the International Golden Karagöz (Altın Karagöz) Folk Dance Competition will take place on 7-12 July.

While preserving its traditional character for 38 years with its distinctive format, the competition brings the folkloric heritage of different cultures to international visibility. This year, nearly 700 dancers from Bulgaria, Algeria, South Korea, Georgia, Hungary, Mexico, Moldova, Russia, Serbia, Chile, Uruguay, Greece and Iran will take the stage in pursuit of the Golden Karagöz. In addition, 23 local folk dance ensembles will take part in the event with special performances. The dancers will present their cultural heritage to the people of Bursa at the Kültürpark Open-Air Theatre as well as at various spots across the city. From 7 to 12 July, Bursa will host an international cultural gathering fueled by the energy of dancers from all over the world.

THE COLORS OF THE WORLD WILL EMBRACE BURSA

Aiming, as it does every year, to bring the world's different cultures together on the same stage with messages of friendship, peace and brotherhood, the International Golden Karagöz Folk Dance Competition will open on the evening of 7 July with the traditional cortege parade. Joined by all the dancers, the parade will set off from Heykel Square on Atatürk Avenue and continue all the way to Kültürpark. Following the parade, the ensembles will take the stage for the opening performances at the Kültürpark Open-Air Theatre at 9.00 p.m. on 7 July.

WORLD CULTURES IN EVERY CORNER OF THE CITY

Alongside the competition, which will continue at the Kültürpark Open-Air Theatre until 12 July, dancers from abroad and local folk dance ensembles will spread the colors of the Golden Karagöz and the cultures of their countries across the city with performances in the Osmangazi, Yıldırım and Nilüfer districts on 8, 9 and 10 July.
The final of the competition will be held on the evening of 12 July at the Kültürpark Open-Air Theatre. The competition will be judged by an international jury of seven members: Nillgün Bilsel Demireller representing Türkiye, Özlem Kadirağa representing the TRNC, Pavel Zinkov representing Russia, Mr. Joseph Szigetvári from Hungary, Mrs. Marketa Vasulkova from Czechia, Dr. Prof. Kang Sunok from South Korea, and Aneliya Ivanova Nikolova from Bulgaria.
The Golden Karagöz Folk Dance Competition will be a cultural feast showcasing traditional costumes, folk dance repertoires and cultural riches, offering colorful and unforgettable moments for audiences of all ages. For the program of the 38th International Golden Karagöz Folk Dance Competition and further details, visit BKSTV's official website bkstv.org.tr and follow its social media accounts.