The colours of the World gathered in Denizli
Denizli has become a meeting point for world cultures through the 19th International Folk Dance Festival held this year. For the first time in its history, the festival is hosting 23 dance groups from 19 countries. Organised by Denizli Metropolitan Municipality, the International Folk Dance Festival commenced with a grand parade.
14.07.2025
Before the event, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Atatürk Monument in front of the Denizli Governorship. The parade started from the Governor's Office and proceeded to the Denizli Metropolitan Municipality building. The grand parade was joined by Member of Parliament Sema Silkin Ün, Mayor of Denizli Metropolitan Municipality Bülent Nuri Çavuşoğlu, Deputy Mayor Ali Marım, CHP Denizli Provincial Chairman Ali Osman Horzum, Mayors Levent Yıldırım (Acıpayam), Birsen Çelik (Bozkurt), Mehmet Ali Orpak (Buldan), Mehmet Ali Eraydın (Güney), Qemajl Aliu (Mayor of Shtime, Kosovo), many guests, and dancers from participating countries. Folk dance groups from 19 countries showcased their traditional dances, while citizens enthusiastically recorded these colourful moments on their phones. The festive march, filled with music and dance, concluded in front of the Metropolitan Municipality building.
Denizli: A City of Peace and Brotherhood
Expressing his delight at hosting such a significant festival in his speech after the parade, Mayor Bülent Nuri Çavuşoğlu said, ''Today, we are experiencing the joy of uniting all the colours of the world here. As Denizli, we are proud to be a city of love, peace, and brotherhood. Among us are 23 teams, including three from Türkiye, representing 19 different countries. It is the highest level of participation in the history of the festival — the previous record was 12. We hope this beautiful event, which brings together diverse cultures, continues to grow. ''
"Peace at Home, Peace in the World"
Mayor Çavuşoğlu also paid tribute to Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk during his speech, stating, ''We offer our gratitude to the Great Leader Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who gifted us this beautiful land and declared 'Peace at home, peace in the world.'
At the end of the program, Mayor Çavuşoğlu welcomed the representatives of the participating countries at the Metropolitan Municipality Council Hall.
Festival program
Monday – July 14, 2025
Çivril – 20:45: Mexico, Moldova, Croatia, Montenegro, Azerbaijan, Romania
Baklan – 21:30: Mexico, Moldova, Croatia, Montenegro, Azerbaijan, Romania
Acıpayam – 20:45: Puerto Rico, Slovakia, Macedonia 1, Georgia, Macedonia 2, Russia
Sarayköy – 21:30: Puerto Rico, Slovakia, Macedonia 1, Georgia, Macedonia 2, Russia
Çınar – 20:30: DBB Mardin, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mexico, Ossetia, Northern Ushaks
Adalet – 21:30: DBB Mardin, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ossetia, Egypt, Northern Ushaks
Sevindik – 21:30: DBB Eskişehir, Kosovo, Czech Republic, Poland, Macedonia 2, TRNC
Wednesday – July 16, 2025
Bekilli – 20:45: Macedonia 1, Montenegro, Moldova, TRNC, Puerto Rico, Kütahya, Poland, Georgia
Çal – 21:30: Macedonia 1, Montenegro, Moldova, TRNC, Puerto Rico, Kütahya, Poland, Georgia
Güney – 20:45: Azerbaijan, Egypt, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovakia, Northern Ushaks, Romania
Buldan – 21:45: Azerbaijan, Egypt, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovakia, Northern Ushaks, Romania
Çınar – 20:30: DBB Artvin Yıldız, Romania, Kosovo, Macedonia 2, Russia, Ossetia
Amfi Park – 21:30: DBB Tokat, Romania, Mexico, Macedonia 2, Russia, Kosovo, Ossetia
Thursday – July 17, 2025
Beyağaç – 21:00: Montenegro, Slovakia, Puerto Rico, Macedonia 2, Azerbaijan
Çameli – 21:00: Kosovo, Czechia, Czech Republic, Northern Ushaks, Egypt
Friday – July 18, 2025
Kale – 20:45: Kale MŞA High School, Poland, Kosovo, Russia, Georgia
Tavas – 21:30: Tavas Belski, Montenegro, Puerto Rico, Romania, Slovakia, Georgia
Honaz – 20:45: Mexico, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Romania, Macedonia 1
İncilipınar – 21:30: Mexico, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Romania, Macedonia 1
Çardak – 20:45: Mexico, Croatia, Moldova, TRNC, Macedonia 1, Azerbaijan
Bağbaşı – 21:30: DBB Artvin, Croatia, Romania, Macedonia 1, Moldova, Georgia, Poland
Sarayköy – 21:30: Northern Ushaks, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, TRNC, Macedonia 1, Egypt
Yenişehir Zafer Primary School – 21:00: DBB Kışla, Croatia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Puerto Rico, Ossetia
Saturday – July 19, 2025
GALA NIGHT – 21:00 / Özay Gönlüm Hall