Troy Festival starts in northwestern province

ÇANAKKALE - Doğan News Agency

Performers wearing ancient dresses pose in front of the famous the Trojan horse at the opening in Çanakkale. DHA photo

The 49th International Troy Festival started with a parade. Folk dancers from India, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia, as well as local troupes, participated in their traditional costumes and performed at a basketball court.

The participants marched from the municipality building along Demircioğlu Avenue and past the pier square, ending their parade in front of the Trojan Horse.

The official opening ceremony of the festival will be held Aug. 11 at 9:30 p.m. at the Odeon, the 5,000-year-old venue in the Trojan historical site. The band “Kardeş Türküler” will be presented the Homer Science, Culture and Arts Award, and will later give a mini concert in the Odeon. “Grup Ezgi,” another band, will perform in the city center. Festival activities will continue until August 13.

Çanakkale deputies Serdar Soyan and Ali Sarbaş and Çanakkale Mayor Ülgür Gökhan will also take part in the Troy Festival’s opening ceremony, which is organized by the Çanakkale Municipality.