Turkey hosts a series of local folk‑dance galas and community art exhibitions

Manisa’s Halk Dansları Gala Night brought together traditional dances from Artvin, Teke, Bursa, the Aegean, Kırklareli and the Black‑Sea regions, drawing large crowds to the Ferdi Zeyrek Millet Çarşı in Yunusemre. Municipal officials highlighted the rapid growth of the city conservatory, which now has 110 students, most of whom performed on stage.

In Selendi, the MASMEK programme’s 2025‑2026 year‑end exhibition showcased hand‑crafted textiles, jewellery, macramé and folk‑dance displays made by course participants, attracting local officials and citizens alike.

Eyüpsultan’s ESMEK “Gece‑Gündüz” exhibition at Artİstanbul presented works created by vocational‑training students across nine centres, while a separate show in Kozlu featured paintings and crafts by children at a local care home. Additional ESMEK displays travelled through several districts of Eskişehir, drawing public interest.

The Denizli International Folk‑Dance Festival opened with a city‑wide parade, featuring hundreds of performers from 20 countries, and the 23‑year‑old Sarımsaklı Trophy in Ayvalık gathered 18 Balkan dance groups and 750 dancers, underscoring Turkey’s role as a hub for regional cultural exchange.