8. Etnospor Culture Festival (2026)

8th Ethnosport Culture Festival is an initiative planned to be held in Türkiye in 2026, organized by the World Ethnosport Confederation with the aim of revitalizing traditional sports, preserving cultural heritage, and enhancing intercultural interaction on a global scale. The event is structured around the principles of tradition, respect, solidarity, and peace, and consists of two phases: a strategy and diplomacy-focused "Forum" to be held in April in Antalya, followed by a public "Culture Festival" in Istanbul in May.

The 8th Ethnosport Forum was held in April 2026 at the Belek Tourism Center in the Serik district of Antalya. Representatives from 50 institutional members of the World Ethnosport Confederation, along with government officials, ministers, federation delegates, researchers, and academics from 29 countries affiliated with the Confederation participated in the forum. The forum’s core vision is to define short, medium and long-term strategies for the sustainability of ethnosports under the theme "Revival of Traditional Sports."

^{8th Ethnosport Forum (AA)}

As part of the forum program, a "High-Level Ministerial Panel" was convened, featuring ministers of sport and youth from participating countries. Moderated by Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, President of the World Ethnosport Confederation, the panel discussed the global interest in traditional sports and their role in diplomacy. Key statements made during the panel and throughout the forum included the following:

^{8th Ethnosport Forum (AA)}

• Türkiye: Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak defined ethnosport as a strategic field at the intersection of youth, education, culture and sports policy. It was emphasized that traditional sports serve as an important tool in preventing risks such as addiction and loneliness, and that the "Encyclopedia Project of Traditional Sports and Games" would be a valuable resource for preserving collective memory.

Geleneksel sporların bağımlılık ve yalnızlaşma gibi riskleri önlemede önemli bir araç olduğu belirtilmiş, ayrıca "Geleneksel Sporlar ve Oyunlar Ansiklopedi Projesi"nin ortak hafızayı korumak adına değerli bir başvuru kaynağı olacağı vurgulanmıştır.

• Organization of Turkic States: Secretary General Kubanıçbek Ömüraliyev stated that traditional sports are not merely physical activities but reflect the memory, identity and way of life of peoples.
• Azerbaijan: Minister of Youth and Sports Ferid Gayıbov noted that Türkiye has become a global hub for sports and highlighted that traditional sports foster friendship and create spheres of influence.
• Yemen: Minister of Youth and Sports Nayif Salih el-Bekri, recalling that his country is situated in a region affected by war, emphasized that the forum delivered a message of peace to the world.
• Russia: Minister of Sport Michael Degtyarev stated that Russia has identified nine national sports at the state level and integrated them into official competition calendars.
• Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan: Kazakh Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabosynov emphasized the importance of international cooperation, while Kyrgyzstan’s Director of the State Agency for Sports Urmat Asanbaev noted that 12 traditional sports have been officially recognized in his country and serve as instruments for international understanding.

One of the forum’s most prominent outcomes was the international announcement of the "Ethnosports 2027" vision. Elaborated by World Ethnosport Confederation President Erdoğan and Board Member Mustafa Eröğüt, the project aims to unify diverse traditional sports under a single framework with standardized international rules, competition systems and institutional structures. It was announced that the Ethnosports 2027 event will take the form of a multi-dimensional global gathering built upon four pillars: sport, culture, experience and diplomacy.

The forum concluded with a closing ceremony during which the "Traditional Sports Awards" were presented and the final declaration was read. Key decisions agreed upon in the declaration include:

^{8th Ethnosport Forum (AA)}

• Emphasis on Peace: In reference to the conditions faced by children in Gaza and Iran under war, it was decided that the common language of the Ethnosport platform must unequivocally be "peace."
• Ethics and Safety: A "zero tolerance" policy was adopted against doping, betting and manipulation. The principle of fair play was upheld, with athlete and animal safety guaranteed at the highest level, and international accreditation and licensing systems were formally agreed upon.
• Media and Sponsorship: The goal of establishing a global digital media platform dedicated to traditional sports, accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, was set. The sponsorship model was redefined to move beyond mere logo visibility and instead foster a "shared meaning" between brands and local values.

^{8th Ethnosport Culture Festival promotional video (AA)}

The 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival is planned to take place in Istanbul between 21 and 24 May 2026, at the event area of Atatürk Airport. The festival serves as the practical implementation phase where the strategic decisions made during the forum meet the public and diverse cultures.

The festival has been designed to offer participants a multidimensional cultural experience by bringing together traditional sports, games, handicrafts, performing arts and gastronomy in a single location.

^{8th Ethnosport Culture Festival poster (AA)}

• Sport and Experience: Visitors are not intended to remain passive spectators; they will have the opportunity to personally experience traditional equestrian and archery sports.
• Cultural Exhibitions: To enable representatives from different regions to showcase their cultures, yurts and oba encampments have been established on-site. These areas will allow close observation of traditional ways of life.

The 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival has been designed as an inclusive event targeting individuals of all ages and backgrounds, including disadvantaged groups.

^{8th Ethnosport Culture Festival site layout plan (AA)}

• Initiatives for Disadvantaged Groups: Accessible workshops and dedicated event areas have been allocated to facilitate the participation of persons with disabilities and other disadvantaged individuals.
• Family-Oriented Structure: The central role of the family in transmitting collective memory across generations has been prioritized. Interactive games and child-specific activities aim to encourage families to spend time together and strengthen their sense of cultural belonging.

^{8th Etnospor Culture Festival Press Launch (AA)}

The press launch, organized to introduce the 8th Etnospor Culture Festival to the public, was held at a private hotel in the Şişli district of Istanbul by the World Etnosport Confederation (WEC). Through this press event, the vision, objectives, participant expectations and cultural mission of the festival, scheduled to take place at Atatürk Airport from 21 to 24 May 2026, were officially announced. The meeting served as the primary platform for presenting data and strategic plans for the future, demonstrating that the festival has evolved beyond a mere sporting event into an international cultural platform.

^{8th Etnospor Culture Festival Press Launch (AA)}

In addition to strong media interest, the promotional event featured prominent figures from the fields of sports, arts and business, as well as protocol members. Key attendees included Yusuf Özhan, General Director and Deputy General Manager of Anadolu Agency, Ebubekir Şahin, Chief Executive Officer of Türk Telekom, Taha Akgül, President of the Turkish Wrestling Federation, national wrestler Rıza Kayaalp, and former footballer Mesut Özil.

One of the central topics addressed at the launch was the World Etnosport Confederation’s international reach and institutional evolution. According to statements by WEC President Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, the organization now comprises 52 members from 30 countries and has established a transcontinental bridge to revitalize traditional sports worldwide. Traditional sports were emphasized not merely as athletic activities but as living traditions reflecting ancient cultures. Since the first festival held in Bezirganbahçe in 2016, the event has transformed into a global movement uniting world cultures and promoting peace, respect and solidarity. It was also noted that the festival has acquired an international appeal beyond Türkiye’s borders. One of the surprise announcements during the launch was that Kazakh artist Dimash will be featured as a guest at the festival.

^{8th Etnospor Culture Festival Press Launch (AA)}

The launch provided detailed insights into numerical targets for visitor attendance and the strategies for achieving them. The event, which has welcomed over one million visitors annually, aims to exceed one million participants again this year. However, emphasis was placed not on quantitative records but on the quality and efficiency of the experience. It was clarified that there are no unrealistic goals such as attracting 10 million visitors; the primary objective is to ensure participants derive the most meaningful and enjoyable benefit from the four-day program. In addition to attendance figures, a key priority is establishing the festival as a destination for international tourists.

The press event dedicated special attention to the mission of introducing young generations to cultural codes. It was announced that the first two days of the festival (Thursday and Friday) will be reserved for students, with coordinated efforts between the Ministry of National Education aiming to bring over 500,000 students to the festival grounds. The sociological goal behind this initiative is to enable children to connect their weekday school experiences with weekend family participation, thereby building intergenerational bridges. Children will be engaged in educational activities such as mancala, archery, and traditional crafts to reduce screen dependency. It was also revealed that the “Etno Bus” project travels across Anatolia to bring traditional culture to communities, with middle school students specifically targeted as the primary audience from the earliest stages.

^{8th Etnospor Culture Festival Press Launch (AA)}

The launch also declared the festival’s broader social and global awareness mission alongside its entertainment focus. Organizers emphasized that the festival will be “a festival where children laugh and play,” and affirmed the principle that “playing is every child’s right.” The current crisis in Gaza was referenced during the event; while acknowledging the possibility of criticism regarding the festival’s recreational nature, organizers clarified that its core purpose is to keep the suffering of children in Gaza in the public consciousness and to pray for their right to see the light of day.

One of the most significant international and visionary initiatives announced at the press launch was Etnospor 2027. The Confederation, which was established in 2015 by a joint presidential decision and serves as the institutional partner of the World Nomadic Games, revealed plans to expand beyond these events by organizing a quadrennial mega-event to be known as the “Olympics of Traditional Sports.” The host country for this mega-event will be officially announced before the summer months of the relevant year. It was also reported that within Türkiye, the number of federations dedicated to traditional sports has increased from one to four, placing this field among the top five fastest-growing sports sectors. The meeting emphasized that the World Etnosport Confederation requires member institutions in other countries to be officially accredited by their respective Ministries of Youth and Sports as a condition for institutional recognition.

The promotional event also presented a vision for permanence and sustainability in the selection of event venues. Istanbul was identified as the only city globally capable of hosting an event of this scale, given current geopolitical polarizations and visa challenges. After completion of all phases, the Atatürk Airport National Garden will become a permanent event space. Additionally, facilities such as Çekmeköy Etnopark aim to remove the perception of equestrian sports as an exclusive “elite sport” accessible only to a privileged few, and instead make them available to all children without imposing heavy financial burdens. It was stated that such opportunities play a strategic role in enhancing children’s cultural confidence, practical intelligence and discipline, concluding the launch.

8th Etnospor Culture Festival is an initiative planned to be held in Türkiye in 2026, organized by the World Ethnosport Confederation with the aim of reviving traditional sports, preserving cultural heritage, and enhancing intercultural interaction on a global scale. The event is structured around the principles of tradition, respect, solidarity, and peace, and consists of two phases: a strategy and diplomacy-focused "Forum" to be held in April in Antalya, followed by a public "Culture Festival" in Istanbul in May.

The 8th Etnospor Forum was held in April 2026 at the Belek Tourism Center in the Serik district of Antalya. Representatives from 50 institutional members of the World Ethnosport Confederation across 29 countries, along with government officials, ministers, federation representatives, researchers, and academics, participated in the forum. The forum’s core vision is to establish short-, medium-, and long-term strategies for the sustainability of ethnosports under the theme "Revival of Traditional Sports."

^{8th Etnospor Forum (AA)}

As part of the forum program, a "High-Level Ministerial Panel" was convened featuring ministers of sport and youth from participating countries. Moderated by Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, President of the World Ethnosport Confederation, the panel discussed the global interest in traditional sports and their role in diplomacy. Key statements made during the panel and throughout the forum include:

^{8th Etnospor Forum (AA)}

• Türkiye: Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak defined ethnosport as a strategic field at the intersection of youth, education, culture, and sports policies.

It was emphasized that traditional sports serve as an important tool in preventing risks such as addiction and loneliness, and that the "Encyclopedia Project of Traditional Sports and Games" would be a valuable resource for preserving collective memory.

• Organization of Turkic States: Secretary General Kubanıçbek Ömüraliyev stated that traditional sports are not merely physical activities but reflect the memories, identities, and lifestyles of peoples.
• Azerbaijan: Minister of Youth and Sports Ferid Gayıbov noted that Türkiye has become a global hub for sports and highlighted that traditional sports foster friendship and create spheres of strength.
• Yemen: Minister of Youth and Sports Nayif Salih el-Bekri, recalling that his country is situated in a region affected by war, emphasized that the forum conveyed a message of peace to the world.
• Russia: Minister of Sport Michael Degtyarev reported that Russia has identified nine national sports at the state level and integrated them into official competition calendars.
• Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan: Kazakh Minister of Tourism and Sport Yerbol Myrzabosynov stressed the importance of international cooperation, while Kyrgyz State Agency for Sport Director Urmat Asanbaev noted that 12 traditional sports have been officially recognized in Kyrgyzstan and serve as instruments for international understanding.

One of the forum’s most prominent outcomes was the official announcement of the "Ethnosports 2027" vision to the international public. Detailed by World Ethnosport Confederation President Erdoğan and Board Member Mustafa Eröğüt, the project aims to unify diverse traditional sports under a single framework with standardized international rules, competition systems, and institutional structures. The Ethnosports 2027 event will be structured as a multi-dimensional global initiative built on four pillars: sport, culture, experience, and diplomacy.

The forum concluded with a closing ceremony during which the "Traditional Sports Awards" were presented and the final declaration was read. Key decisions agreed upon in the declaration include:

^{8th Etnospor Forum (AA)}

• Emphasis on Peace: In reference to the conditions faced by children in Gaza and Iran under war, it was decided that the common language of the Etnospor platform must unequivocally be "peace."
• Ethics and Safety: A "zero tolerance" policy has been adopted against doping, betting, and manipulation. The principle of fair play has been upheld, with athlete and animal safety guaranteed at the highest level, and international accreditation and licensing systems have been mandated for implementation.
• Media and Sponsorship: The goal is to establish 24/7 global digital media platforms dedicated exclusively to traditional sports. The sponsorship model has been redefined to move beyond mere logo visibility and instead foster a "shared meaning" between brands and local values.

^{8th Etnospor Culture Festival promotional video (AA)}

The 8th Etnospor Culture Festival is planned to take place in Istanbul between 21 and 24 May 2026, at the event area of Atatürk Airport. The festival serves as the practical implementation phase where strategic decisions made during the forum meet the public and diverse cultures.

The festival has been designed to offer participants a multidimensional cultural experience by bringing together traditional sports, games, handicrafts, performing arts, and gastronomy in a single venue.

^{8th Etnospor Culture Festival poster (AA)}

• Sport and Experience: Visitors are encouraged not only to observe but to actively participate in traditional equestrian and archery sports.
• Cultural Exhibitions: To enable representatives from different regions to showcase their cultures, yurts and oba encampments have been established on-site. These areas will allow close observation of traditional ways of life.

The 8th Etnospor Culture Festival is designed as an inclusive event targeting individuals of all ages and backgrounds, including disadvantaged groups.

^{8th Etnospor Culture Festival site layout (AA)}

• Initiatives for Disadvantaged Groups: Accessible workshops and dedicated activity areas have been allocated to facilitate the participation of persons with disabilities and other disadvantaged individuals.
• Family-Oriented Structure: The family is placed at the center of efforts to transmit collective memory across generations. Interactive games and child-specific activities aim to encourage families to spend time together and strengthen their sense of cultural belonging.

^{8th Etnospor Culture Festival, first day (AA)}

The first day of the 8th Etnospor Culture Festival, held on Thursday 21 May 2026, included the official opening ceremony, stage performances accompanied by traditional rituals, and comprehensive protocol speeches attended by state officials and organizational authorities. The first day’s program was structured as the central session where the festival’s core vision was shared with the public and new institutional arrangements were announced.

^{8th Etnospor Culture Festival, first day (AA)}

The opening day events took place in front of the specially constructed “Han Tent” at the event area of Istanbul Atatürk Airport. The opening program began with a special performance by students following the “Gülbank” tradition. Following this historical ritual, a mehter ensemble from the Istanbul Historical Turkish Music Society performed on stage. The physical opening of the ceremony was formalized by a ribbon-cutting ceremony involving World Etnosport Confederation President Bilal Erdoğan and children present at the venue, following the conclusion of the protocol speeches.

World Etnosport Confederation President Bilal Erdoğan, who spoke first on the opening day, announced that this year’s event was being held under the motto “The World Is Here.” In his address, he described the festival as a “family unity,” noting that while participants speak different languages and come from diverse geographic regions, the fundamental element uniting them is a “shared memory and common value system.”

^{World Etnosport Confederation President Bilal Erdoğan (AA)}

The opening speech emphasized that the bonds children form through play are in fact their first connections to their own cultures. It was declared that one of the festival’s most fundamental objectives is ensuring that the games and competitions children experience at an early age are rooted in their own heritage. Additionally, it was announced to the public that representatives from Lithuania, Russia, and Azerbaijan would introduce new traditional sports disciplines for the first time at this event, alongside the existing network of participants stretching from Japan to Kyrgyzstan.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, in his address during the opening protocol, defined culture as the most powerful bridge between society’s memory and its past and future. He stated that the organization is grounded on four core values: peace, solidarity, respect, and tradition.

^{Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy (AA)}

In his opening statement, Minister Ersoy also explained the function of the “Solidarity Camp” established on the festival grounds. It was stated that civil society organizations would carry out social awareness initiatives in this area, drawing attention to human tragedies occurring in oppressed regions, beginning with Gaza, and issuing a global call for an end to these crises. Furthermore, under the principle that “Playing is every child’s right,” it was emphasized that traditions will be carried into the future on the shoulders of children.

^{Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak (AA)}

Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak, in his opening day address, focused on the state’s sports policies and infrastructure initiatives. He highlighted that, in line with the vision of the President of Türkiye, investments have transformed Türkiye into a modern sports nation equipped with state-of-the-art stadiums and swimming pools. During the first day’s event, the importance of the festival in bringing together children’s and youth’s exploration of their own roots with cultural enthusiasm was emphasized. Official welcomes were extended to international guests including athletes, coaches, and ministers.

Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu’s opening day remarks took the form of a detailed presentation covering the medical and psychological benefits of traditional sports and the announcement of new health regulations.

^{Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu (AA)}

• Sedentary Lifestyle and the Impact of Traditional Sports: It was determined that one of the greatest health challenges of our time is sedentary lifestyle habits, which contribute to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health issues. Traditional sports were presented as a strong alternative to counteract young people’s immersion in virtual worlds. Under the principle that “Health is sport, and sport is health,” the impact of sports on character development was detailed: archery fosters attention and patience, javelin promotes courage, agility and balance, wrestling cultivates perseverance and ethics, and equestrian sports enhance self-confidence and body-mind harmony—all supported by medical evidence.
• New Health Report Regulation via e-Nabız: On the opening day, a new “Health Reports Regulation” was announced, directly relevant to youth and amateur athletes. Under the new system, health data of young participants in non-professional sporting activities will be evaluated electronically via e-Nabız. This enables eligible individuals to obtain a “Health Status Certificate” without needing to physically visit a healthcare facility, thereby facilitating their participation in events.
• “Wellness Centers” Regulation: Another significant development announced on the first day was the draft regulation on “Healthy Living and Wellness.” This new regulation allows sports clubs to establish institutional “Wellness Centers.” These centers will employ physicians alongside physiotherapists, dietitians, and other relevant health professionals to provide holistic support services aimed at improving athletes’ quality of life.

^{Governor of Istanbul Davut Gül (AA)}

Speaking on behalf of the Istanbul Governorate during the opening day events, Governor Davut Gül provided a historical perspective on the timing of the event. He noted that May is a “month of conquest,” and within this context, as Istanbul prepares to commemorate the conquest on 29 May, the Etnospor Culture Festival is positioned as one of the most important and meaningful events of the month.

The events of the second day of the festival took place on 22 May 2026. As part of the second day’s program, Bilal Erdoğan, President of the World Ethnosports Union, and Ibrahim Yumaklı, former Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, visited the event area to conduct inspections.

Throughout the day, traditional sports, handicrafts, regional gastronomic products, and performing arts were presented to visitors. In the context of equestrian sports and competitions, the "kokboru" (gökbörü) contest was performed by athletes participating from various countries. During this time, children and their families had the opportunity to experience a variety of traditional games in specially designated play areas.

The events of the third day of the festival, held on 23 May 2026, attracted a highly crowded audience, partly due to it being a weekend. The "Equestrian Sports and Wrestling Area" hosted continuous activities throughout the day, with equestrian javelin competitions taking place before fully packed stands. Traditional wrestling and archery activities were among the most popular events of the third day.

Visitors participated in various traditional games such as archery, top spinning, tug of war, and sack racing. Additionally, birds brought to the event area by the Anatolian Birdwatchers Association were exhibited and photographed by visitors.

On the third day, former Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat attended the events accompanied by his grandchildren. Bolat personally examined the traditional sports and games at the festival grounds and offered advice to children on proper posture during archery. It was noted that one of Bolat’s grandchildren knew how to ride a horse and loved horses, while the other expressed great satisfaction at participating in the event.

8th Ethnosports Culture Festival’s fourth and final day events were completed on 24 May 2026. The final day featured equestrian displays, traditional games from different cultures, musical performances, and an official closing ceremony.

In the riding area, free horseback riding activities were organized on specially designed courses for visitors aged five and above. Citizens provided with necessary protective equipment gained horse-riding experience under the supervision of trainers. Oğuzhan Emre Gülteki, an event staff member, reported high participation from both local and international visitors, noting that families actively sought to include their children in the activity. Gülteki also stated that horseback riding practice not only serves as a traditional sport but also helps children overcome their fears of animals.

In the demonstration area, teams from different countries presented equestrian performances rooted in their respective cultures. The team from Kazakhstan performed a show featuring eagles, while the Georgian team demonstrated "polokros," a hybrid of polo and lacrosse, aiming to hit a gourd target placed at a height of nine meters. Turkish team performances in equestrian archery, acrobatics, and martial arts were also included in the program.

In the children’s game zone at the event area, various games such as tug of war, board wrestling, mancala, and hopscotch were offered. Adult visitor Memiş Çakıroğlu participated in the tug of war event and emphasized its importance in helping children rediscover traditional games away from computer screens.

The final day’s program also provided an opportunity to introduce traditional games from different cultures. "Tavreli" (Russian chess), a game invented by Russians in the 8th century and featuring moves similar to traditional chess, and "gorodki," a Eastern European game involving throwing sticks to hit wooden cylindrical blocks, were taught to visitors by Russian teams. The Turkish equestrian game "aşık," which dates back approximately a thousand years and is played using the metatarsal bones of small livestock, was demonstrated by a team from Kazakhstan. Event officer Ali Şahan noted that these strategic and skill-based games from diverse cultures received enthusiastic interest from visitors of all age groups.

As part of the festival, an exhibition titled "Timeless Path," which combined cultural heritage with digital elements, was presented to visitors. Dr. Nabat Garakhanova served as Director of Digital Art for the exhibition.

On the Türk Telekom Main Stage, the musical group "Ay Yola" from Ufa, Bashkortostan, performed a concert. The group, composed of Ruslan Shayhitdinov, Adel Shayhitdinova, and Rinat Ramazanov, took the stage wearing traditional attire and playing specially crafted instruments made from trees native to the Ural region. Their performances featured stories centered on the epic "Ural Batyr."

Musician Rinat Ramazanov highlighted the intensity of the Turkish audience, noting that one in every four of their followers was from Türkiye. Ruslan Shayhitdinov, another group member, spoke about the role of Ethnosports in helping people reconnect with their own cultural heritage.

The event concluded with an official closing ceremony held on the main stage of the event area. Attendees included Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, Acting President of the World Ethnosports Union Hakan Kazancı, event organizers, participating athletes, institutional representatives, and Hasan Ay, Director of National News at Anadolu Agency. During the ceremony, awards were presented to athletes who competed and performed at the festival.

Speaking at the ceremony, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül emphasized the development of the country’s sports infrastructure and the growing confidence generated by Ethnosports becoming a global brand. Gül also noted that nearly two million people visited the festival. Acting President of the World Ethnosports Union Hakan Kazancı delivered a speech of gratitude to institutions, organizations, and citizens who supported the event from its first day.