The 23rd International Taskopru Culture Festival - Aug 11 2009 

As we are committed to our vision to represent Circassian Culture internationally and upon the invitation of the CIOFF, Kuban Ensemble for Circassian Folklore (Al Ahli Club) will be representing Jordan in the 23rd International Taskopru Culture Festival to take place in Turkey between 11th – 17th August this summer.

Taşkopru, is a town and district of Kastamonu Province in the magical Black Sea region, and it is referred to as the “World’s Garlic Store”. According to the 2000 census, population of the district is 43,800. As the main producer and of garlic and supplier to the whole country, Taskopru town hosts an international Festival every year with the participation of thousands of native and foreign visitors and watched by over than one hundred thousand people.

The festival presents the finest folklore groups from the worlds to perform in a special atmosphere, in addition to folk dances, several activities are held during the festival like horse races, handcraft exhibitions, cooking contest, domestic and foreign public game shows, various competitions, parachute demonstrations and fireworks display, etc.

The festival is a member of International Council of Organizations for Folklore Festivals and Folk Art CIOFF Turkey. CIOFF is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) was founded in 1970 in Confolens, France. As a non-governmental organisation affiliated to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), with some 75 national sections, and various associate and corresponding members, CIOFF is present in more than 90 countries. CIOFF co-ordinates around 250 international festival, organises the CIOFF World Folkloriada every four years, fosters international exchanges between folk groups which reach some 50,000 amateur artists, and publishes the CIOFF festivals calendar, the information bulletin Entre-Nous, works from its Study and Documentation Commission, the Folklore Periodicals Index and the Monograph on Popular Dance, plus various reports, studies and conference papers.

Through its activities CIOFF aims to promote the intangible heritage through forms of expression such as dance, music, games, rituals, customs and other arts, serving the objectives of UNESCO and being in formal consultative relations with it. CIOFF supports the activities of its members and those of non-governmental organisations working in the areas of folklore and cultural heritage, and serves the cause of peace and non-violence through the implementation of the above objectives.

If you want to see us perform, fly yourself to Taskopru – Turkey.

For more details please contact the festival at +90.366.4171579
Or the Ensemble at +962777387868

Circassiannews.com