Kupala Festival celebrated in Türkiye

On 18 June 2023, at the gorgeous coastline of the Sea of Marmara, the Municipal Değirmendere Cultural Centre of the city of Gölcük played host to a Kupala Festival celebrated by the Belarusian and CIS community residents of Türkiye which aligned with the academic year coming to a close across the Turkish schools.

The major organizer of the event supported by the Municipality and Consulate General of Belarus in Istanbul which brought together 40 kids and around 100 people in total was the Kocaeli Cultural Society of Belarusians and Russian-Speaking Community.

In his opening remarks, Aleksei Shved, Consul General of Belarus in Istanbul, indicated that Belarusians sought both to retain ancient traditions and foster peace and friendship with their neighbours which is even more symbolic during the Year of Peace and Creation.

Following a concert featuring Belarusian songs, food fair and Belarusian Potato Crepe feast along with master classes, the festival participants were excited with a traditional fern flower quest, symbolic bonfire jumping, wreath-clad ring dance to the tune of Kupalinka, and scores of other amusements.

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