The 54th Traditional İskele Festival will take place in Northern Cyprus from June 26 to July 5

One of the oldest and most significant cultural forums in the TRNC — the traditional İskele Festival — will bring together residents and visitors to the island for the 54th time. This year’s program, officially presented by Mayor Hasan Sadıkoğlu at a press conference at the Grand Sapphire Resort hotel, will run from June 26 to July 5. Organizers promise a packed schedule: sports competitions during the day and large-scale entertainment events in the evenings. All festival events are completely free to attend.

The program includes several key cultural blocks:

— Festive opening and classical music. The festival will begin on Friday, June 26, at 22:00 at İskele Ecevit Square. The main opening event will be a major concert by acclaimed Turkish musician and writer Zülfü Livaneli with his program “Songs of My Favorite Life,” performing accompanied by the Presidential Symphony Orchestra of the TRNC.

— International folklore. As part of the wider celebrations, the 29th International Folk Dance Festival will also take place. Dance ensembles from Northern Cyprus, Turkey, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, North Ossetia, the Philippines, Peru and Uruguay will present their national choreographic programs.

— Performances by local and guest artists. The festival’s music lineup will be complemented by local groups. On Tuesday, June 30, at 20:45, Melatonin, Dora Music Group and Deniz Feneri will perform on the stage of the Municipality Open Cultural Center. On Friday, July 3, at 21:00, Yakamoz and Reva Music Group will play there.

— Festival closing. The celebration will conclude with a major pop concert by popular artist Semicenk, which will begin on Sunday, July 5, at 22:00 at İskele Ecevit Square.