International Yoga Day to be marked in Turkey with Bollywood

ISTANBUL

International Yoga Day will be marked by various activities throughout Turkey, with the Yoga Foundation bringing together local yoga masters with yoga lovers across Istanbul. 

June 21 was named as the International Yoga Day by the United Nations in 2014. In its fourth year, activities that will take place on both sides of the Bosphorus in Istanbul as well as the northwestern province of Bursa are supported by India’s diplomatic mission in Turkey. 

Yoga activities are taking place in Kalamış Park in Kadıköy at 2 p.m., Maçka Sanat Park in Şişli at 3 p.m, at Aydın University in Florya at 6.30 p.m. and in Şehit Uğur Taşçı Sports Complex in Sarıyer at 4 p.m. They will be followed by a special Bollywood dance performance. 

The longest activity of the day will take place in the Etiler neighborhood on the European side on the roof of Akmerkez shopping mall, known as the “triangular terrace” (Üçgen Teras).

Mercan Dede surprise appearance

Activities, which will start at 11 p.m. and last until 8.30 p.m., will also witness the surprise appearance of musician Mercan Dede. His performance will be one of the highlights of the organization lead by Orkun Kargöz as producer and Zuhal Ceran as general coordinator in the name of the Yoga Association. 

Locally and internationally recognized names such as Esra Karaosmanoğlu, Ebru Şinik, Sara Pour, Göksel Karabayır, Dr. Dinç Yaylıer, Dr. Neslihan İskit, Güler Pınarbaşı, Derya Altunel, Adnan Çabuk, Orkun Kargöz, Mert Güler, Umay Uzay, Zarife Doğan will take part in the program. In addition, a “mandala” event with Aslıhan Aksun will also take place throughout the day. 

In each activity marking the day, yoga specialists are expected to share top tips with yoga fans and guide them through both yoga activities and awareness conversations.