Yeni Birlik Gazetesi / EXCITEMENT OF THE FESTIVAL IN ŞİLE

The countdown has begun for the 35th International Şile Cloth Culture and Art Festival, which aims to bring Şile back to its old festival days with a new energy and content! Held in the coastal town of Şile, famous for its nature, Şile cloth, lighthouse, and mackerel, the International Şile Cloth Culture and Art Festival, organized by the Şile Municipality and one of Turkey’s oldest festivals, will take place from July 29 to August 11.

The festival, offering a rich program for both locals and visitors, will kick off with an opening parade departing from the Town Square at 7:30 PM on July 29, Monday. Following the parade, which will end at the Festival Area, there will be opening speeches and a performance by an international dance group, and the evening will be enlivened further by a vibrant concert from the beloved pop artist Buray. The 35th International Şile Cloth Culture and Art Festival will continue with a rich program of talks, concerts, workshops, and fashion shows.

Named after Şile Cloth, a geographically indicated product that has long been a foundation of the region’s economy and art, the International Şile Cloth Culture and Art Festival has been ongoing since 1984 and is one of Turkey's oldest festivals. Although it has been postponed in some years due to natural disasters and wars, the festival, which has been running for 35 years, aims to preserve and promote Şile’s values, culture, and cultural heritage. The festival also contributes to enhancing the local community’s economic and social life while increasing Şile’s commercial and tourism potential, thus revitalizing the region. It welcomes participants both locally and internationally, aiming to preserve local traditions and crafts, raise social awareness, and provide opportunities for new cultural expressions.

The 35th International Şile Cloth Culture and Art Festival, organized by the Şile Municipality for the 35th time this year, will host participants from July 29 to August 11, 2024, in the unique atmosphere of Şile. The festival will take place at various locations in Şile and Ağva and will feature a colorful program including talks by Şile enthusiasts like Haldun Dormen, Müjdat Gezen, Mustafa Alabora, and Cemil İpekçi; the play Bir Baba Hamlet; concerts by Sila, Melek Mosso, Can Bonomo, Buray, BaBa ZuLa, Volkan Konak, Sena Şener, Ati242, Gazapizm, Zeynep Bakşi, and Erdal Erzincan; performances by international dance groups; Şile Cloth fashion shows; exhibitions; workshops; and many other events.

ŞİLE CLOTH CULTURE AND ART FESTIVAL RETURNS WITH ITS INTERNATIONAL IDENTITY

Özgür Kabadayı, who was elected as the Mayor of Şile with significant public support as the CHP's candidate in the recent local elections, is making determined and bold steps to rebuild Şile and give it the value it deserves. Kabadayı, who is working to restructure the municipality inherited with a 925 million lira debt and to establish a sustainable development model, emphasizes that they will undertake major projects for the economic, social, and cultural development of the district while once again hosting the International Şile Cloth Culture and Art Festival, which has a 35-year tradition. At the press conference held on July 19 at the Şile Rescue Station, Şile Mayor Özgür Kabadayı stated, "Şile, with the contributions of art giants like Zeki Müren and İsmet Ay, takes pride in being a unique town enriched with culture, art, cinema, poetry, and painting. From now on, we will show the best form of loyalty and consider it our duty to be faithful to our culture, traditions, and artists. Şile Cloth is not just a woven fabric; it is a heritage stretching from the past to the present. The 35th International Şile Cloth Culture and Art Festival is a perfect opportunity to reach a wider audience with the universal value and beauty of Şile cloth. This festival is not just a celebration but also aims to support Şile cloth producers’ retirees, pass on our traditional arts to future generations, and contribute to our local economy."

Şile’s streets will come alive again with the participation of dance groups from six different countries. Handcrafted works by women and special products prepared by the Istanbul İSMEK Institute will be presented this year with the slogan "Return to Your Roots." The festival, where the unique beauties of Şile Cloth will be discovered and participants will return to their roots, will see the much-missed Şile Cloth fashion shows make a vibrant comeback, and fashion and art will come to life once again in Şile Cloth.

İSMET AY STAGE RETURNS

As part of the 35th International Şile Cloth Culture and Art Festival, the İsmet Ay Stage, named after the veteran Turkish theater and film artist İsmet Ay from Şile, which has not been used for years, will be revived. This special stage in Şile was opened in 2007 by the then-Mayor İhsan Çayıroğlu. Now, the İsmet Ay Stage will once again embrace theater performances in the way it deserves. By naming the amphitheater stage in the district after the master artist İsmet Ay, his spirit will be felt throughout the festival and will continue to inspire art enthusiasts.

The 35th International Şile Cloth Culture and Art Festival will be supported by Enstitü İstanbul İSMEK, Mey Diageo, Kale Şile, Işık University, Gönen Hotel, The Sign Hotel, Değirmen Hotel, Uçar Royal Hotel, Şira Restaurant, Hairdresser Yasin & Devrim, REptur Real Estate, Marin Fish, Ovacık Village Women Seed Association, and Lilyum Patisserie.