Rize, Turkey's International Tulum and Folk Dance Festival Features Multinational Formulaz Wooden Car Race

The 15th edition of the International Tulum and Folk Dance Festival took place in Ardeşen, Rize, Turkey, showcasing a "Formulaz" wooden‑car race. Twenty‑four dancers representing twelve countries – Turkey, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, South Ossetia, Greece, Iran, Dagestan, Russia, Colombia, Chechnya, Kabardino‑Balkaria, Azerbaijan and Georgia – competed on a 200‑metre track in the Konaktepe neighbourhood. The festival attracted about 450 folk‑dance participants overall. Organizer Hakan Güven said the event promotes the province and its districts, adding that visitors were impressed by Rize’s sea and highlands. Participants highlighted the friendly atmosphere; Iranian dancer Aylin Mirtazavi described the race as "very fun" and expressed hope to perform in future shows, while Ankara‑based dancer Selin İnce recalled the excitement of the race despite a minor collision between wooden cars.