Bodrum Ballet Festival in Turkey begins with a captivating rendition of 'Swan Lake'
The 22nd International Bodrum Ballet Festival Kicks Off in Turkey
The 22nd International Bodrum Ballet Festival, Turkey's first and only ballet-focused festival, is set to captivate audiences at the Northern Moat Stage of Bodrum Castle from August 1 to August 25, 2025.
This year's festival features seven productions with thirteen performances, including notable guest companies like the Moscow Classical Ballet Theatre. One of the key highlights is the ballet "Blood Wedding," performed on August 21 and 22 at 21:45 by the Samsun State Opera and Ballet.
The festival opened with a performance of "Swan Lake," a classic ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, performed by the Izmir State Opera and Ballet with a contemporary interpretation and exceptional stage design. The Imperial Russian Ballet brought "Swan Lake" to the Izmir stage, and the performance was praised by Russian ballet stars.
The festival is organized by the State Opera and Ballet Directorate (DOB) under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and is supported by Türkiye IsBank. The event also remembered Almula Ozlem, a performer from the Ankara State Opera and Ballet who passed away last year.
DOB General Director and Artistic Director Tan Sagturk expressed gratitude to everyone involved in preparing the festival. He stated that the festival is expected to match or surpass the success of last year, with over 13,000 visitors.
Suat Sozen, Deputy General Manager of Türkiye IsBank, praised the festival's role in attracting international and local visitors. He also underlined Bodrum's role as one of Türkiye's most popular tourism destinations.
The staging of the ballet combined elegant movement with captivating visual design. Sets for the performance were designed by Cagda Citkaya, costumes by Nursun Unlu, and lighting by Oguz Murat Yilmaz.
On the opening night, Oguz Ozlem, one of the first-generation artists of Turkish ballet and the originator of the Bodrum Ballet Festival concept, received a warm standing ovation and was presented with a commemorative plaque by Sagturk.
The festival will continue with repeat performances of "Swan Lake" and will run until Aug. 25. The event also paid tribute to Oguz Ozlem, who passed away last year.
As the festival progresses, audiences can look forward to more captivating performances under the stars at the historic Bodrum Castle. With its blend of historic ambiance and classical ballet, the 22nd International Bodrum Ballet Festival is set to break records with record audiences.
- The Moscow Classical Ballet Theatre is among the guest companies participating in the Turkish-based, ballet-focused International Bodrum Ballet Festival in Ankara.
- The festival's amalgamation of Russian ballet tradition with Turkish culture is exemplified in the rendering of "Swan Lake" by the Izmir State Opera and Ballet.
- In addition to ballet, attendees can explore various aspects of Turkish lifestyle such as fashion and beauty, food and drink, home and garden, and travel while visiting Bodrum.
- The festival organizers, the State Opera and Ballet Directorate (DOB) under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, have expressed anticipation for record audiences, aiming to surpass last year's figures.
- In honour of Turkish ballet pioneer Oguz Ozlem, who passed away last year, the festival will also feature a tribute performance, paying homage to his lasting contributions to the art form and the Bodrum Ballet Festival.
