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Türkiye's Black Sea province of Samsun opens its 36th International Samsun Folk Dances Festival, drawing folk dance troupes from Mexico, Serbia, the Adyghe Republic, Russia, Poland, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Slovakia and Georgia.
Organized by Samsun Metropolitan Municipality, the event brings together performers from a dozen nations for a shared celebration of traditional dance and costume.
Dance troupes launch the festival with an opening procession, marching roughly 2 kilometers through Samsun, a coastal city in northern Türkiye.
Performers from a dozen countries move together along the route, each group carrying elements of national dress and regional dance style into the public eye for the first time this year.
Local residents line the procession route as the international teams pass through the city center.
Colorful costumes and coordinated steps draw attention from onlookers gathered along the path, setting the tone for a festival built around cross-cultural exchange.
Following the procession, teams gather at Cobanli Pier, a waterfront venue on Samsun's Black Sea shoreline, where the festival's main performances take place.
Each troupe prepares to present traditional dances specific to its home country, continuing a program organized annually by Samsun Metropolitan Municipality.
A folk dance troupe performs traditional steps native to its home country, one of several routines presented throughout the day.
The performances highlight regional dress, music and choreography distinct to each participating nation.
Performers representing one of several countries taking part in the festival for the first time this year present their national dance.
Municipality officials say new participants join the event annually alongside longtime attendees.
Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Halit Dogan addresses members of the press during the festival, noting the event marks its 36th edition.
Dogan says the festival brings together participants from different countries and cultural backgrounds each year.
Spectators gather to watch the performances, with residents from Samsun and surrounding provinces attending the festival in large numbers.
Organizers say public turnout has grown alongside the event's international participation over the years.
As the day's performances conclude, troupes from Türkiye and 11 other countries wrap up a program built around shared cultural exchange.
Dogan says participating teams have expressed interest in returning for next year's festival.
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