Organized by the World Ethnosport Union, the 7th Ethnosport Culture Festival was held at Istanbul Atatürk Airport from May 22 to 25, 2025. The festival attracted 1.83 million visitors over four days, marking a major success. With strong participation across all age groups, the event transformed into a unique meeting point where traditional sports, handicrafts, stage performances, and culinary experiences brought cultural heritage to life and supported intergenerational transmission. International participation further strengthened the festival’s role as a powerful bridge “from tradition to the future.”
Participation from Over 40 Countries: A Meeting of Cultures
The 7th edition of the festival welcomed athletes and cultural ambassadors from more than 40 countries. Participants from regions ranging from Central Asia to Africa, the Balkans, and the Middle East shared their cultural values directly with visitors. Each country contributed to the festival’s universal identity by presenting its traditional games, handicrafts, and cuisine.
President Erdoğan Attended the Festival
On May 24, 2025, the third day of the festival, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and First Lady Emine Erdoğan visited the event at Atatürk Airport. Welcomed with great interest by the attendees, President Erdoğan watched the Karabakh Horse Show performed by the Azerbaijani delegation. The moment when Turkish and Azerbaijani flags waved together received a standing ovation — including from the President.
President Erdoğan also toured the “Family Pavilion,” one of the highlights of the festival and newly established this year. In this special area, created within the scope of the “2025 Year of the Family,” he emphasized the significance of the family institution in preserving cultural values and stated that protecting family unity is key to sustaining heritage. The President expressed his appreciation for children and parents participating together in traditional games and ancestral sports at the pavilion.
Free Traditional Sports Experiences
Throughout the festival, visitors had the opportunity to try a variety of traditional sports such as archery, horse riding, wrestling, mounted archery, and mangala — all offered free of charge. These experiences were presented in a safe and educational environment under the guidance of professional trainers and athletes. In addition to sports, traditional art workshops featuring weaving, tile art, and marbling provided participants with hands-on access to Türkiye’s rich artisanal legacy.
“Tradition Begins in the Family”: Debut of the Family Pavilion
In line with this year’s theme, “Tradition Begins in the Family,” the Family Pavilion was introduced for the first time. This dedicated area highlighted the importance of the family in society, where parents and children played traditional games together, creating shared memories. The space also hosted talks, workshops, and interactive sessions focused on child development and intra-family communication.
An Inclusive Festival for Children and Disadvantaged Groups
The 7th Ethnosport Culture Festival offered children a fun and educational atmosphere through play areas and dedicated performances. Comprehensive programs were designed to ensure accessibility for disadvantaged groups, enabling equal participation in cultural and sports activities. These included hippotherapy sessions, special mangala tournaments for the visually impaired, and stage performances by artists with disabilities. Inclusive sports such as wrestling matches involving children with Down syndrome and other participants with disabilities were also held. Through this inclusive approach, the festival became a cultural and sports gathering that contributed to social cohesion and equal opportunity.
Unforgettable Shows and Performances
Offering a vibrant atmosphere filled with traditional sports, games, and cultural encounters, the 7th Ethnosport Culture Festival captivated audiences with a wide range of shows. The Karabakh Horses impressed spectators with their graceful and skilled acrobatic equestrian performances, which were also featured during the opening ceremony. The Galkynysh National Equestrian Team from Turkmenistan became a highlight of the festival with their displays featuring Akhal-Teke horses, known for their beauty, resilience, and elegance. Other performances such as horseback acrobatics, martial arts, and mounted archery drew significant attention. Participants from Kazakhstan also contributed with traditional wrestling demonstrations, enriching the festival’s cultural dimension. All these events vividly reflected the festival’s mission to preserve and pass on cultural heritage to future generations.
A Cultural Meeting Point Open to All
Beyond reviving the past, the 7th Ethnosport Culture Festival aimed to carry traditional values into the future. Open to people of all ages, the festival evolved into a vibrant social platform that strengthened communal bonds, supported cultural continuity, and promoted family unity.
World Cultures Showcased
Universal flavors and world cultures came together at the 7th Ethnosport Culture Festival. Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB)’s “World of Coffee” stand gave visitors the chance to sample coffee varieties from around the globe. Kıl tents introducing various regions of Türkiye, reenactments of nomadic life, and handicraft workshops offered attendees a rich cultural journey. The 7th Ethnosport Culture Festival — featuring local cultural displays, artistic performances, and international participation — concluded with a magnificent concert by Semicenk.
