8th Ethnosport Culture Festival to Unite World Cultures in Istanbul
Istanbul, May 16 – The 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival, organized by the World Ethnosport Confederation, held its press launch with wide participation, announcing that it will bring together representatives from 24 different countries in Istanbul. Under the motto “The World is Here,” the festival will host athletes, artists, artisans, and gastronomy experts, showcasing cultural heritage from May 21-24 at Atatürk Airport. Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, President of the World Ethnosport Confederation, stated, “We aim to host over one million visitors at our festival, which will feature athletes, cultural artists, and gastronomy professionals from 24 different countries.”
A Global Movement and Shared Heritage
The World Ethnosport Confederation, which views traditional sports not merely as athletic activities but as living values passed down through generations, is preparing to host the 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival as a major cultural gathering. The festival aims to unite diverse cultures, traditions, sports, arts, music, and lifestyles from around the world. The press launch was held at the Grand Cevahir Hotel ahead of the festival, scheduled for May 21-24 at Atatürk Airport.
The event, which garnered significant media attention, commenced with special stage performances by the Shanyrak Ethno Music Ensemble and the Ensemble Rum. Following the performances, a promotional film for Ethnosport was screened. The launch was attended by Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, President of the World Ethnosport Confederation, as well as prominent figures from the media, arts, finance, and sports sectors. Erdoğan emphasized that since its inception, the World Ethnosport Confederation has been more than just a sports organization, representing a living chain of values. “With 52 members from 30 different countries, we continue to work to revive traditional sports in every corner of the world by building an intercontinental bridge,” he stated. Erdoğan also made a surprise announcement during the launch, revealing that the renowned Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaybergen would perform at the festival.
Reviving Forgotten Values for Future Generations
Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan highlighted the confederation’s goal to bring forgotten values to light and transmit this invaluable heritage to future generations while preserving its authenticity. “The Ethnosport Culture Festivals have become an eagerly anticipated annual event. The festival offers children, youth, and families the opportunity to experience a rich array of traditional sports, traditional arts, universal flavors, and world music,” Erdoğan explained. He further added, “From the very first day of its establishment, we, as the World Ethnosport Confederation, have regarded our traditional sports and games as far more than mere sporting activities; they are living chains of values. Today, we see our confederation evolving into a global movement and a shared concern for heritage. This is truly invaluable. We continue to work with our 52 members from 30 different countries, building an intercontinental bridge to revive traditional sports in every corner of the world. We aim to unearth our forgotten values and transmit this priceless heritage to future generations, true to its essence. We wish to strengthen our ties with communities that live and sustain their traditions, wherever they may be. We see every opportunity that brings us closer as a chance for humanity. In the events we organize, we experience the joy of seeing every color and culture of the world together. We believe that every value that brings us together builds respect, peace, and solidarity among us.”
A Festival for Over a Million Visitors
Erdoğan noted that the festival is the most widely attended event globally in terms of traditional sports and games. “We believe we have much to do and many riches to share for the common values of humanity. In this context, I see that our Ethnosport Culture Festival makes a significant contribution to this atmosphere of unity and togetherness. Organized since 2016, our Ethnosport Culture Festival, which has transformed into a vibrant traditional sports and cultural celebration, is the most widely attended festival globally in the realm of traditional sports and games. Hosting over one million visitors each year, the festival takes its guests on an enjoyable journey through traditional sports and cultures. Hundreds of athletes representing different countries participate in the festival, showcasing traditional sports from various nations, traditional arts, universal tastes, and delightful children’s games.”
Azerbaijan, Lithuania, and Russia as Guest Sports
Erdoğan also announced that Turkmen horses will add excitement to the festival with their performances. “The Ethnosport Culture Festival has become memorable as a family-friendly event where people of all ages can find activities they enjoy. Our festival, which allows many participants from different nations to showcase their cultures, highlights the traditional sports and various values of guest countries each year. This year’s guest sports will be from Azerbaijan, Lithuania, and Russia. Additionally, this year, we will host the Taiko group from Japan on our stage as part of traditional stage performances. Furthermore, visitors will be treated to fierce competitions and demonstrations in many sports branches, including archery, oil wrestling, shalwar wrestling, belt wrestling, aba wrestling, mas wrestling, mangala, asık atma, mounted javelin, kökbörü, and mounted archery. Similarly, Turkmen horses will add excitement to our festival with their performances.”
24 Countries to Participate, Targeting Over 1 Million Visitors
Erdoğan emphasized that special areas for children’s entertainment will be set up at the festival. “The Ethnosport Culture Festival will be a festival where children laugh, play, and have endless fun. We envision a picture where all children in the world are happy with their families. As in previous years, I would like to reiterate that playing is every child’s right. We will all see that no mentality that targets children with weapons and missiles will last forever. Another beauty of our festival is that it is a festival where our traditional arts come to life. Our artists will be able to display their works and conduct workshops in specially designed areas. Our participants will also have the opportunity to experience traditional arts in these workshops. In our regional promotion areas, we will find traces of different cultures from Anatolia. Folk dances, local delicacies, and local crafts will be in this area. In our universal tastes area, our participants will have the opportunity to taste flavors from world cuisine. Chefs from different countries will offer guests the flavors of their own countries. Our stage will again host world music; various groups and artists from countries such as Japan, Russia, Egypt, Spain, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan will take part in our festival. In the evening concerts, names like Ekin Uzunlar, Ay Yola, and Kıraç will bring the festival excitement to the main stage. We aim to host over one million visitors at our festival, which will feature athletes, cultural artists, and gastronomy professionals from 24 different countries. We believe that this festival will also be remembered as a meaningful festival where our families can have a pleasant time together and embark on a journey to their roots,” he concluded.
The 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival will be open to all visitors at Atatürk Airport from May 21-24. The festival program and event details can be accessed through Ethnosport’s social media accounts.
Source: https://www.sabah.com.tr/yasam/istanbulda-8-etnospor-kultur-festivalinin-tanitimi-yapildi-7584264
