Folk dance fever sweeps across Bursa

Showcase performances held across the city as part of the 38th International Golden Karagöz (Altın Karagöz) Folk Dance Competition carried the festival excitement to its peak throughout Bursa. Performing in Osmangazi's historic Hanlar District, at Yıldırım Municipality Square and in Nilüfer's Podyum Park, local and international folk dance ensembles treated the people of Bursa to a true visual feast with their colorful costumes and captivating performances.

As part of the competition, organized by the Bursa Culture, Art and Tourism Foundation (BKSTV) under the leadership of Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, ensembles from different corners of the world shared their cultures through the universal language of dance at Bursa's liveliest spots. Residents followed the shows with great interest, and the applause and footage captured on mobile phones carried the festival spirit to every corner of the city.

At Nilüfer's Podyum Park, the ensembles from Algeria and South Korea took the stage alongside the Bursa Olympos Folk Dances Sports Club, the Koza Culture, Art and Sports Club and the "Bursa'da Flamenko Var" Ensemble, while at Yıldırım Municipality Square, the Georgian, Mexican and Hungarian ensembles, together with HOTEAD Bursa and the BÇMG Association Nova Culture and Art Ensemble, earned full marks from the audience.

A HISTORIC SETTING MEETS DANCE

The Hanlar District, one of the stops on the folk dance route, hosted special moments where dance met a historic atmosphere. The ensembles from Iran, Bulgaria, Moldova and Russia, along with the Bursa Tatars Sword-and-Shield Folk Dances Association and the Zafer Folk Dances Association, drew great applause with their performances.

While art lovers in Bursa had the chance to get to know the world's different cultures up close through the performances staged across the city, they also had the opportunity to watch Bursa's own folk dance groups. Around 700 international dancers, together with local folk dance ensembles from Bursa, turned the city into a truly international open-air stage.

Running until July 12, the 38th International Golden Karagöz Folk Dance Competition will continue to bring messages of culture, friendship and fellowship to the people of Bursa through the universal language of dance — with the competition program at the Kültürpark Open-Air Theatre as well as performances in squares and public spaces across the city.