Young dancers shine at Int’l Istanbul Ballet Competition
The award ceremony and gala of the seventh International Istanbul Ballet Competition, organized by the General Directorate of the State Opera and Ballet (DOB), was held at the Türk Telekom Opera Hall of the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) on June 1.
Bringing together young dancers and leading figures of the ballet world from across the globe, the competition presented awards in four categories: Senior Girls, Senior Boys, Junior Girls and Junior Boys.
Speaking to state-run Anadolu Agency before the event, jury president Tan Sağtürk, artistic adviser to the Culture and Tourism Ministry and vice president of the International Federation of Ballet Competitions (IFBC), highlighted the strategic importance of international competitions for countries.
Noting that ballet education requires at least a decade of rigorous training, Sağtürk said conservatories provide the foundations of the art form, while competitions allow dancers to measure themselves against international standards.
