Esenkoy Turkish Folk and Dance Festival

Posters on store fronts and at the pharmacy said there was going to be an Esenkoy Turkish Folk and Dance show.  I’m never really sure what day it is, but the festival was close enough to the port that Dad and I could hear the announcer and music so we decided to go over and check it out.

There was quite a crowd present but it consisted mostly of mothers and fellow students.  There were a few men off to the side but they didn’t stay very long. The building is the Esenkoy police station or police offices, I’m not sure which.

This was the most authentic costume and dance that we saw the entire time.  It was more like a dance recital at a VFW or a talent show at school.  Student aged kids dancing to all kinds of music with raffle prizes given out between performances. 

I questioned the authenticity of the Turkish folk dance and music when later on in the day a group of 10 year olds came out and danced with pom poms to Keisha’s Tik Tok.  The version sounded like it was being performed by a chipmunk and I’m certain they had no idea what was being said.  You couldn’t buy a bottle of Jack in this country without putting a spleen on deposit and even then you’d probably still owe money.

A sea of scarves.  These are the proud stage Moms sitting in the audience and purchasing raffle tickets.  If you look at the blurry table of red and blue presents in the background you will see the raffle prizes.  They were also giving out small kitchen appliances, rugs, and a shiny new bicycle.  I would’ve bought a ticket but I didn’t know how much they were and the numbers were being said in such fast Turkish that I would understand “3” and then have no idea what was before or after it.

Who doesn’t belong in this picture?  There were groups of kids sitting on these piles of bricks that are used to pave the streets of Turkey.  Dad was hanging out having flashbacks of having to watch my brother and I perform at such events back in our Miss Jan days.

It was a fun place to people watch and good chance to get off of the boat and enjoy the Spring weather.