Western Thrace Folk Dance Teams shine at International Hıdırellez Festival in North Macedonia
Folk dance teams from the İskeçe Turkish Union and the Komotini Turkish Youth Union received widespread acclaim after performing at the 33rd International Hıdırellez Spring Festival held on May 9–10, 2026, in the village of Çalıklı, North Macedonia.
Recognized as the first official Turkish festival organized in North Macedonia, the long-running cultural event brought together approximately 25 folk dance groups from across the Balkans, celebrating shared traditions, music, and cultural heritage.
Western Thrace Teams Represent Turkish Minority Culture
The folk dance team of the İskeçe Turkish Union participated under the coordination of Education Coordinator Önder Şabanoğlu and instructors Tülin Hacıhalil and Gökan Mustafa.
Meanwhile, the team from the Gümülcine Turkish Youth Union attended the festival under the leadership of Board Member Elif Sadık and folk dance instructor Erkan Demiroğulları.
The festival officially opened on Saturday, May 9, in Çalıklı village with the participation of Fatih Ulusoy, representatives of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, and numerous senior officials from North Macedonia.
Performances Draw Strong Applause
Both Western Thrace teams took the stage during the opening ceremony, showcasing traditional folk dances that highlighted the rich cultural heritage of the Turkish minority community in the Balkans.
Later in the evening, the groups marched to the central square of Strumica, where they delivered additional performances for festival attendees.
During the festival’s final program on Sunday, May 10, the teams once again performed before a large audience and earned strong applause for their energetic and polished presentations.
The festival also featured traditional oil wrestling competitions, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the Hıdırellez celebrations.
Cultural Exchange and Appreciation
Following the performances, organizers and participants exchanged commemorative gifts as part of the festival’s cultural diplomacy tradition.
Festival President Şenol Tahir was thanked for the invitation, while representatives of both the İskeçe Turkish Union and the Gümülcine Turkish Youth Union presented symbolic gifts to festival officials.
The Western Thrace delegations returned home on Sunday evening after completing the two-day festival program.
