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The 13th Balkan Folk Dances Festival, which is hosted by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and attended by 9 countries, started with a festive ceremony.
The “Balkan Folk Dances Festival” was organized two times in 1935 and 1936, following the instructions given by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk but then it was cancelled; after a 71-year break, the festival was reorganized by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality in 2007 and the Macedonian Ambassador Zvonko Mucunski, Romania’s Izmir Consul General Miora Stefan, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Honorary Consul General Kemal Baysak, representatives of the Balkan associations, dance groups from the countries performing at the festival and the people of Izmir.
Izmir Metropolitan’s Deputy Mayor Dr. Sırrı Aydoğan, highlighting their joy in fulfilling the will of Atatürk, delivered the opening speech of the 13th Balkan Folk Dances Festival and added: “When I talk about Izmir with our guests, I define it as a “Balkan City”. Because, many people from the Balkan countries live here. The folk dances and music are the key factors that help people get to know each other and their cultures. I hope you will go back to your country with very pleasant memories. You are our peace envoys. You are all “Welcome” and I hope you will contribute to the world peace.”
The Macedonian Ambassador Zvonko Mucunski noted that the friendship and cultural relationships between the two countries are deep rooted and said:
“I had diplomatic roles in several countries but when I am in Turkey, I feel like I am in my home country. This feeling is a result of friendship between the Turkish and Macedonian people. The relationship between Turkey and Macedonia is very rare all around the world. We are very pleased to be a part of this festival.”
Besides the host Turkey, groups visiting from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Greece will perform shows from their cultures.