Iskele International Folk Dance Festival
People all over the world
express their ethnic traditions in music and dance. Whether these
traditions are ancient or relatively modern, each expresses the soul of
its respective community.
Folklore occupies a very important place with Cypriots, who because of
their geographic location, have benefited from a variety of cultures.
Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and Turks have all influenced the cultural
heritage of the island. The
dances of Cyprus Turkish folklore have the same characteristics of the
Zeybek dances of Anatolia. Its costumes, music and dance figures
completely reflect this type of dance. The Zeybek dances in its
costumes, and its music are particular to the Turkish nation. Zeybek has
its origin in the middle, west and south Anatolia, and has been brought
to Cyprus by people emigrating from these parts. The word "Zeybek"
itself has been adopted by the Greeks, and the same dances performed by
them under the same name. The
Iskele Municipality Folk Dance Group was formed in 1987. It currently
has around 300 members, and has represented the TRNC in both national and
international competitions. Its aim is to educate the Turkish Cypriot
youth in their own folk history, and to introduce this aspect of their
culture to other nations. The
Iskele Folk dance festival is arranged annually around the end of June,
and lasts about a week. The festival is international, attracting groups
from around the world. The festival is not a competition, but rather a
way to bring the beauty of all cultures together. Performances tend to
be in the evening, allowing the participants to explore North Cyprus
during the day.
40th Iskele Festival 25th June - 6th July 2008
Programme
Throughout the festival, international folk dancing displays from
Mexico, Lithuania, Finland, India, Algeria, Nigeria, Turkey, and the
TRNC will be held at two venues, the Municipality Park or the open air
Cultural Centre. There will also be handball, football and chess
tournaments.
Wednesday 25th June
9pm. The TRNC President will open the festival with a speech, and then a
nostalgic "Once Upon a Time in Larnaca" photography exhibition.
Thursday 26th June
Programme to be confirmed
Friday 27th June
Programme to be confirmed.
Saturday 28th June
Programme to be confirmed.
Sunday 29th June
9am. Trap & Skeet shooting competition
5pm. Fish cook-out. Held at the Municipality Park.
5.30pm Greasy Pole flag-raising challenge. Held at the Municipality
Park.
Monday 30th June
9pm. Cool FM Radio is hosting a "Best Voice" competition.
Tuesday 1st July
9pm 3rd Iskele Sultan of the Dance competition.
Wednesday 2nd July
7pm. Street basketball in the Festival Arena.
9pm. Turkish pop star, Kutsi, in concert.
Thursday 3rd July
7pm. Street basketball in the Festival Arena.
9pm. International Poetry Night at the Kaya Artemis Hotel, Bafra.
Friday 4th July
9pm. Black Sea Night from the Black Sea Cultural Centre.
Saturday 5th July
Programme to be confirmed.
Sunday 6th July
Programme to be confirmed. |