‘Golden Karagöz’ belongs to Uzbekistan

This year, the 36th International Golden Karagöz Folk Dances Competition, organized with the participation of 720 dancers from 23 different countries, was won by Uzbekistan. Guest dancers who spread the excitement of the competition throughout the city with their performances in 17 districts of Bursa showcased all their skills for the championship.

720 dancers from 23 countries

Organized by Bursa Culture Art and Tourism Foundation (BKSTV) on behalf of Bursa Metropolitan Municipality with the contributions of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and under the main sponsorship of Referans Holding, supported by Durmazlar Holding, Sütaş, Hayat Hospital, Bursa Culture Inc., Burfaş, Bursa Water, and Kardelen Chestnut Candies, the International Golden Karagöz Folk Dances Competition, with the participation of 720 dancers from 23 countries, transformed Bursa into a colorful carnival with performances all around the city. Dancers from all around the world came to Bursa to showcase their cultures and strengthen friendship bridges, experiencing the final excitement at the Kültürpark Open-Air Theater. The competition where all countries sweated in front of the jury with 5-minute shows, the winner was Uzbekistan.

“Your performances made the richness even more visible”

Speaking at the evening that started with the Karagöz Folk Dances team’s performance, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey expressed his great happiness in hosting the 36th Golden Karagöz Folk Dances Competition. Mayor Bozbey stated that the Golden Karagöz Folk Dances Competition is an important value that narrates the cultural heritage, history, and aesthetic richness of world communities every year, emphasizing that dancers from all around the world showcased their traditions and cultures, highlighting how valuable it is to enrich with our differences and live together once again. Mayor Bozbey said, “You have worked with great dedication to preserve our culture and pass it on to future generations, and you have provided us with unforgettable moments on this stage. Your performances made this richness even more visible. Each of you brought the colors and melodies of different cultures to us. On this occasion, I congratulate all the teams, choreographers, and everyone involved in the competition and wish them continued success. I believe that not only the team that won the first place in the competition but also all our participants on this stage deserve a big round of applause.”

“Bursa will continue to be the center of culture and art”

Stating that contributing to the cultural and artistic life of the city is one of the most important priorities for Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, Mayor Bozbey expressed that they are making great efforts to pass on the history, culture, and art of Bursa to future generations. Mayor Bozbey said, “Bursa is an incredibly beautiful city with its culture, art, and values. Introducing this city, transmitting its culture and art to future generations is the responsibility of all of us. With our belief in the unifying power of culture and art, we are working with all our might to take such organizations further. I thank everyone who contributed to the 36th Golden Karagöz Folk Dances Competition. Bursa will continue to be the center of culture and art. I hope we will smile together at many more events in the future.”

Thanks to Mayor Mustafa Bozbey

Metin Atış, the Chairman of BKSTV Board of Directors, said that they were very pleased to host the competition where the torch of peace and brotherhood was lit. Stating that the Golden Karagöz Folk Dances Competition, which started by releasing peace doves in front of the monument of our Republic’s founder, the great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, with the motto ‘Peace at home, peace in the world’, ended with the final night, Atış said, “The International Golden Karagöz Folk Dances Competition is one of the most prestigious and continuously sustainable events in the world in its field. By blending different nations and national concepts in a sweet competitive atmosphere, it contributes to world peace through culture and art. So far, we have welcomed thousands of dancers from 87 countries. This year, we had 720 folk dancers from 23 countries. They turned our city into a carnival all around Bursa. We will bid farewell to the teams participating in the International Golden Karagöz Folk Dances Competition as peace ambassadors. I thank Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey for his contributions. I thank the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, our main sponsor Referans Holding, and our supporters.”

The most beautiful choreographies were displayed

Following the speeches, Mayor Mustafa Bozbey and BKSTV Chairman Metin Atış presented certificates of appreciation to the sponsors and supporters of the competition. Then, all country teams took the stage one by one, presenting their most beautiful choreographies in their culturally specific costumes to the jury and the audience. At the end of the night, certificates of appreciation were presented to all participating groups who took the stage to greet the audience. Then Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, CHP Bursa Deputy Kayıhan Pala, TÜRKSOY Deputy Secretary-General Seyit Yusuf, and BKSTV Chairman Metin Atış announced the winners of the competition in order.

‘Golden Karagöz’ goes to Uzbekistan

While Hungary won the TÜRKSOY Special Award in the competition, Kazakhstan was awarded the honorable mention. Bulgaria, the third in the International Golden Karagöz Folk Dances Competition, received the ‘Bronze Karagöz’, while Turkmenistan, the second, took the ‘Silver Karagöz’ to their country. Mayor Bozbey announced the winner of the competition. Uzbekistan received the ‘Golden Karagöz’ by the votes of the jury. Mayor Bozbey and his entourage presented the award to the champion team, congratulating them. At the end of the night, the champion Uzbekistan team took the stage once again to perform the final show.