"WE ARE PROUD TO HOST THE CULTURAL AMBASSADORS OF THE WORLD"

Local and international folk dance groups visiting the city as part of the Sivrihisar International Nasreddin Hodja Culture and Art Festival met with Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce, together with Sivrihisar Mayor Habil Dökmeci.

The meeting, held at the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Council Hall, was attended by folk dance groups from Gaziantep and Büyükçekmece, Istanbul, as well as artists participating in the festival from Russia, Bulgaria, Poland, North Macedonia, and Kosovo. Büyükçekmece Deputy Mayor Gürhan Ozanoğlu and Nasreddin Hodja, who has become the symbol of the festival, also took part in the visit.

Speaking during the programme, Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce expressed her great pleasure in welcoming different cultures to Eskişehir and emphasized that the festival goes beyond being merely an artistic event, as it builds bridges of friendship among cultures.

Mayor Ünlüce said: "We are very proud to welcome our valued guests from different countries of the world to Eskişehir. The Sivrihisar International Nasreddin Hodja Culture and Art Festival is extremely valuable for our city. Because through this organization, we are not only hosting a festival, but also welcoming cultural ambassadors from all around the world. Nasreddin Hodja is a great Turkish thinker whose wisdom, wit, and universal messages for humanity have transcended centuries. I hope that this festival, which bears his name, will bring peace, love, and friendship to our country, our city, and the world. Once again, I warmly welcome all our guests."

The host of the festival, Sivrihisar Mayor Habil Dökmeci, stated that the organization has grown stronger each year and that they aim to further enhance the festival's international recognition. Mayor Dökmeci said: "We are organizing the Sivrihisar International Nasreddin Hodja Culture and Art Festival this year with great enthusiasm. In the coming years, with the contributions of our valued mayors and all our stakeholders, I believe we will continue to expand our festival and introduce it to the world. This evening, our cortege parade will start at 18.00 in front of Espark and end at Vilayet Square, where the festival excitement will continue with colourful performances. I wholeheartedly believe that this will be a wonderful festival where culture and art are at the forefront, and where friendship and solidarity are further strengthened. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed and extend my warmest welcome to all our guests."

One of the most colourful moments of the programme was the speech delivered by the Nasreddin Hodja character. Bringing smiles to the audience with his humorous style, Nasreddin Hodja highlighted the international success achieved by the festival and said:

"I would like to thank you all for the interest you have shown in Sivrihisar, the centre of the world. I would like to express my gratitude to all institutions, organizations, and employees who contributed to bringing this wonderful event to where it is today, especially Mayor Habil. I am extremely happy that Nasreddin Hodja is valued so highly. The yeast we once threw into the lake did not actually stay in the lake; it took hold in people's hearts. Today, we are witnessing the finest example of this: many countries from around the world are coming together in Sivrihisar around the same values of love and friendship."

The gathering, where different cultures came together, concluded with mutual gift presentations. Throughout the festival, the celebrations will continue in Eskişehir and Sivrihisar with cortege parades, folk dance performances, and various cultural activities.