‘’The World’s Best Festival Opens its Doors for the 23rd Time.’’

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’’ by the World Festivals Association 8 times in a row, took place with a magnificent ceremony.

At the final of the night, Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Ekrem İmamoğlu, who danced “Horon” with the dancers of the guest countries participating in the festival, was applauded for a long time by the audience, and colorful images emerged.

The official opening ceremony, which took place at Kültürpark Kemal Sunal Amphitheater with the participation of 5 thousand people, started with the contemporary dance performance of the Büyükçekmece Municipality performing arts group. The dance show, which was prepared to draw attention to the environmental disasters in the World, was applauded for a long time by the audience.

‘’We say no to all wars’’

After the countries participating in the festival took the place on the stage for the opening ceremony, the Mayor of Büyükçekmece Dr. Hasan Akgün gave a speech by saying that “the international Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art festival, which has been continuing for 23 years, contributes to World brotherhood and peace as well as culture and art.” Mayor Akgün continued his speech as follows: ‘’our leader, Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, said ‘’Peace at home, peace in the world’’. By continuing this festival for 23 years, we say no to all wars in the World. Do not let children in Ukraine die.  In Russia, Ukraine, the Middle East, do not let wars anywhere in the World. People should understand each other by communication. By getting together let them make this World a better place. We say no to all wars. I hope the warring countries and future’s World leaders will understand much better the message given by the youth of the World tonight. We will keep repeating this over and over again. Once again, we say love to each other, peace for all. I would like to express my gratitude to all my friends who contributed to the preparation of this festival, especially to Mayor of Istanbul, Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu all his team who gave us strength by declaring this festival as an Istanbul Festival since 2019, and, who gave great support to this festival to reach a much better place in the World arena.

‘’A Worldwide festival’’

Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Ekrem Imamoğlu, stated that the International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival is a World-class festival and said: ‘For 15 years, I have been coming with pleasure. As a resident of this region, as a political identity and as the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, I proudly attend to the festival. After I became the Mayor of the Metropolitan Municipality, I said that the name of this festival should definitely be the International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival. Because it is one of the most beautiful festivals in İstanbul. The beauty of this view gives hope to everyone, thank you once again dear Hasan Akgün. Was described Istanbul as a fair, green and creative city. The theme of the year’s festival is ecology. It is the first duty of all leaders to accept that the World belongs to everyone and that even though the borders determine the countries, all people should serve this World and should be entrusted to these beautiful children without harming the World. The most valuable mission of this beautiful Istanbul, which has a history of thousands of years, is to be an exemplary city to the whole World with the peace to its region, peace to its surroundings, and the valuable quality of life it provides to its people. We are working hard to ensure that.’’

‘’Festival Torch was Lit”

After the speeches, the 23rd International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival torch was lit. Consul General of the Republic of North Macedonia Iljaz Feta, Consul General of Ukraine Roman Nedilsky, former MinisterS Murat Karayalçın and Lütfullah Kayalar, provincial and district mayors, representatives of political parties were attended to the official opening ceremony. At the end of the night, Ekrem İmamoğlu who danced “horon” with dancers from participating countries was applauded by the audiences.