The 54th Traditional Festival kicks off in Iskele: 10 days of concerts, sports and drift shows

On the evening of June 26, 2026, the 54th Traditional Festival, organized by the local municipality, begins in Iskele. The large-scale celebration will last 10 days and end on Sunday, July 5. All major cultural and sporting events will take place at Ecevit Square, the Open-Air Cultural Center and specially designated venues around the city.

Opening program (Friday, June 26):
— 19:00 — Official start at Iskele Ecevit Square. The ceremonial events will begin with a festive parade across the festival grounds.
— Official part — Iskele Mayor Hasan Sadıkoğlu will lay a wreath at the Atatürk bust, followed by a minute of silence and the national anthem.
— International flavor — As part of the opening, participants of the 26th Iskele International Folk Dance Festival will present their choreographic performances. Groups from the TRNC, Turkey, Russia, North Ossetia, Uruguay, Peru, Kyrgyzstan and the Philippines will take the stage.
— 22:00 — The main musical event of the evening: a free festive concert by renowned Turkish composer Zülfü Livaneli, who will perform accompanied by the Presidential Symphony Orchestra of Northern Cyprus.

Music performance schedule:
— Saturday, June 27 (21:00) — Concert by the local group «Otantik» at the Open-Air Cultural Center.
— Tuesday, June 30 (20:45) — A joint music block by «Melatonin», «Dora Music Group» and «Deniz Feneri».
— Friday, July 3 (21:00) — Performances by «Yakamoz» and «Reva Music Group».
— Sunday, July 5 (22:00) — Final gala concert by popular performer Semicenk at Ecevit Square (free entry).

Sports and entertainment program:
This year, the organizers have prepared several unique new additions:
— The city’s first-ever drift show. The special high-speed spectator stage of the Iskele rally will begin on Saturday, June 27, at 19:30 in the free parking area of the municipal covered market.
— Traditional games and tournaments. The schedule includes the iconic flag capture competition on a slippery vertical pole, diving, sea fishing and archery competitions.
— Themed evenings and sports. There will be a «Black Sea Night» and a «Larnaca Night», the Dervish Benon memorial bicycle race, a street basketball festival, backgammon and chess tournaments, as well as women’s and children’s futsal championships.

Social initiatives:
Throughout the festival, a charity blood donation campaign will be organized jointly with the Turkish Cypriot Red Crescent Society and the Thalassemia Association. Mobile blood donation units will be operating at the festival square today (June 26) and on Thursday (2.07).