― 28 мая 2024 г.

The International Film Festival of Sivas was inaugurated with the contribution of TURKSOY

With the contributions of TURKSOY, Sivas Governorship and Sivas Municipality, an international film festival was held for the first time in Sivas.
The opening ceremony of the festival held on May 27th, 2024 was attended by the Governor of Karaman, the Mayor of Karaman, the Rector of the Sivas Republican University, directors, producers, actors and film lovers from many countries. In his congratulatory message  read out at the opening of the festival, which was also attended by  countries of the Turkic World, Secretary General Sultan Raev conveyed his heartfelt greetings to the protocol and participants and expressed his appreciation as to the fact that TURKSOY, which was established with the mission of preserving  and promoting the culture and civilisation of the Turkic World, participated as a stakeholder in the first film festival to be held in an ancient city like Sivas. 
 

Cinema is an important tool for spreading and preserving the culture of the Turkic World

Stating that TURKSOY participates as a stakeholder in festivals, symposiums and conferences held all over the Turkic World in order to promote and protect the culture and civilisation of the Turkic World, Secretary General  Raev thanked those who contributed to the organisation of the festival. In the continuation of his message,Mr. Raev underlined the importance attached by TURKSOY to the art of cinema in the Turkic World and stated that the art of cinema  is an important tool to  reach out to large audiences. Adding that it is  in line with these goals that the Association of Filmmakers of the Turkic World was established Mr. Raev further said that activities such as the Korkut Ata Turkic World Film Festival, the Turan Film Festival and the  Gathering of Cinema Directors and Sector Representatives are all being organised to further foster  activities serving these goals.

The  Governor of Sivas Mr. Yılmaz Şimşek, who delivered the opening speech of the festival expressed his excitement as to this event and stated that this was the first time that Sivas hosted a film festival. 
 

The festival will be a strong contribution to  culture and art in Sivas 

In his speech, Governor Şimşek stated that they want to make Sivas a centre of culture and art and said, "There is no doubt about the fact that artistic activities are also very important in order to introduce the unique cultural heritage of Sivas along with all  its richness to the world. In line with this understanding, our city is hosting a film festival for the first time in the field of cinema and we are all sharing the joy and excitement of thereof together as a city."

The Mayor of the Municipality of Sivas Dr. Adem Uzun  who also took the floor at the event, said: "Sivas is a city which once used to be the capital of the Seljuk Empire, the provincial centre of the Ottoman Empire and the founder of the Republic. It is an ancient city where history, culture, art and literature are strongly present. As such, this city stands out with all these features at once in Türkiye. In this respect, it was a pleasure for us to organise and host this International Film Festival in Sivas. We will continue to make our best contribution to these events in the coming years."

The festival, which will continue until  May 31st, will end with film screenings in five different halls and the award ceremony to be held on the last day thereof.