IGF World Folklore Union’s First Office in Turkey at Izmit Art Academy

The first Turkey office of the IGF World Folklore Union has been opened at Izmit Municipality’s Art Academy. Speaking at the program, Mayor Fatma Kaplan Hürriyet stated, “We are the first municipality in Turkey to become a member of this important organization, which will elevate the city to an international level and ensure its recognition in foreign countries.” Izmit Municipality signed a protocol to open the first office of the IGF World Folklore Union at the Izmit Municipality’s Art Academy. The signing ceremony took place before the “A City’s Story” performance by the Sahne Izmit team at the Süleyman Demirel Cultural Center. Following the protocol signing ceremony, Mayor Fatma Kaplan Hürriyet presented plaques to IGF World Folklore Union President Prof. Dr. Dorel Cosma, and to Benito Vittorio Umberto Ripoli, President of the Italy Popular Traditions Federation and IGF Senator. Hürriyet also presented a gift to Yasin Koçman, who was the guest of honor at the IGF World Folklore Union event held in Satu Mare last summer on behalf of Izmit Municipality.

“Izmit has played an important role in every period of history” Speaking at the program, Mayor Fatma Kaplan Hürriyet said, “Izmit has played an important role in every period of history and has been a meeting point for civilizations. Throughout history, it has hosted many civilizations, and each civilization has left its mark on these lands. On this special evening, the Sahne Izmit Folk Dance Group tells the deep-rooted history of Izmit and its journey up to the present, through the enchanting harmony of dance and music. We present the story of our city to you with colorful choreographies and impressive musical performances. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone involved in the preparation of this magnificent show, especially to our instructors Enis Üstüntaş and Meltem Öztürk Başyiğit.”

“We are the first municipality in Turkey to become a member of this important organization” Expressing their efforts to make Izmit both the capital of art and culture, Hürriyet said, “It is very valuable for us that our paths crossed with IGF at this point. We are the first municipality in Turkey to become a member of this important organization, which will elevate the city to an international level and ensure its recognition in foreign countries. The Art Academy has been honored with the Gold Star award, known as the Oscar of IGF, and we are the first organization in Turkey to receive this award. We wanted IGF to have a center in Turkey. Let this center be in Izmit and be the first center of IGF in Turkey. We said, ‘Let’s create a center that will serve for folklore and our society.’ Within our awarded Art Academy, we have now defined an IGF office, and from now on, this will be the first stop for IGF. All organizations working in this field in Turkey will be able to collaborate with Izmit Municipality and organize many events together with IGF.”