The press launch of the 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival, organized by the World Ethnosport Union, was held ahead of this year’s festival, which will take place between 21–24 May at Atatürk Airport in Istanbul. The launch program was attended by the President of the World Ethnosport Union, Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, alongside members of the press, artists, representatives from the sports and gastronomy sectors, and invited guests.
The program began with traditional music and dance performances from the Turkic world. Speaking at the event, Erdoğan stated that the Ethnosport Culture Festival has become a major cultural gathering eagerly anticipated each year. He emphasized that the festival offers a unique atmosphere where children, young people, and families can experience traditional sports, arts, world cuisines, and cultural activities together.
Erdoğan also underlined that the World Ethnosport Union regards traditional sports not merely as athletic activities, but as living values that carry the cultural memory of societies. He noted that the Union continues its activities today with 52 members from 30 countries, aiming not only to preserve cultural heritage but also to strengthen mutual respect, solidarity, and a shared sense of cultural memory among communities.
This year’s festival program will once again feature competitions and demonstrations in many traditional sports disciplines, including archery, oil wrestling, şalvar wrestling, aba wrestling, belt wrestling, mangala, horseback archery, kok boru, and mounted javelin games. In addition, visitors will experience traditional handicraft workshops, regional promotion areas, children’s activities, international cuisines, and stage performances.
Guest sports teams from Azerbaijan, Lithuania, and Russia will also take part in the festival. Artists and music groups from various countries, including the Taiko group from Japan, will perform on the festival stage.
The 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival, bringing together athletes, artists, and cultural representatives from 24 countries, is expected to welcome more than one million visitors this year.
