BY MD.Moon hyungsuk
With 18 nations participating, the internationally renowned event champions peace through cultural heritage and intergenerational unity
On the evening of Thursday, 10 July 2025, at precisely 9:00 p.m., the historic city of Bursa—Türkiye’s fourth largest metropolis and the inaugural capital of the Ottoman Empire—witnessed the grand opening of the 37th International Golden Karagoz Folk Dance Competition. Held in the city’s Culture Park, the event brought together artists and delegations from 18 countries in a vibrant celebration of traditional dance and global harmony.
The opening ceremony was graced by Mr Mustafa Bozbey, Mayor of Bursa, who delivered a keynote address emphasising the enduring power of culture in the face of global adversity. “Despite the persistent conflicts plaguing many parts of the world, we have steadfastly pursued peace through cultural expression,” he stated. “For 37 years, this festival has embodied our collective commitment to intercultural understanding, and I have no doubt it will continue to produce even greater outcomes in the years to come.”
Mayor Bozbey’s address received an enthusiastic response from both the local audience and international participants, who saw in his words a powerful reaffirmation of culture’s role as a bridge between peoples.
Mr Sinasi Pala, who has long served as the General Art Director of the Golden Karagoz Festival and numerous international cultural initiatives within Türkiye, offered a critical reflection on contemporary cultural trends. “Young people across the world are increasingly disconnected from their traditional cultural roots,” he warned. “This disconnection presents profound challenges for humanity at large. One’s cultural heritage is the foundation of one’s identity, and recognising it is the starting point for respecting the cultures of others.”
He further noted the accelerating erosion of historical consciousness in the era of globalisation and artificial intelligence, highlighting the vital necessity of festivals such as this in preserving cultural identity and promoting mutual understanding.
As global societies age and economic development expands, Mr Pala emphasised that younger generations must not relinquish their responsibility in safeguarding cultural continuity. “In the face of such challenges, Türkiye continues to serve as a host and facilitator of meaningful human-to-human engagement—an initiative that speaks volumes of our nation’s living heritage and civilisational depth,” he remarked.
This year’s edition of the Golden Karagoz Festival marks a significant evolution in the festival’s mission—from a platform for cultural performance to a conduit of shared human values. The organisers expressed hope that the festival would increasingly foster intergenerational empathy, intercultural dialogue, and a renewed commitment to peaceful coexistence through the arts.
As the lights rose on the opening night in Bursa, the stage became more than a space for dance—it transformed into a beacon of cultural diplomacy and a testament to the unifying spirit of tradition in a fractured world.
