Countdown begins for Side culture and arts festival

The annual festival, which brings in music lovers from Turkey and around the world, will run until Sept. 30. The festival is organized by the town of Side in coordination with the Manavgat district of Antalya.

Speaking at a press conference, Side Mayor Abdulkadir Uçar said the festival is part of the European Festival Association (YOUROPE), which has over 70 members that hold festivals and concerts in 26 countries. The aims of the organization include spreading cross-cultural understanding, increasing safety for employees and visitors at its festivals and concerts and decreasing the environmental impact of such events. Uçar expressed the hope that the International Side Culture and Arts Festival would break down borders between countries.

More to Side than the sea

The activities for this year’s festival will be held at the ancient Side amphitheatre and the Temple of Apollo in Didem. Uçar said the festival will produce a positive effect on visitors’ impressions of Side. “We, the citizens living here, know that foreign and Turkish tourists who come to Side don’t come only to go to the sea. It is important to be able to introduce people to the culture of this beautiful environment where activities can take place in our ancient amphitheatre and Apollo’s Temple,” said the mayor. “It’s a city that suits its history.”

Mayor Uçar emphasized that for the first time in Turkey an orchestra led by world-renowned composer Krzysztof Penderecki would be included in the Side Culture and Arts Festival. He went on the say, “The festival’s closing concert will be preformed by the Side Festival Orchestra. This will be a first for the Side festival and for Turkey. The orchestra will be composed of local and foreign musicians.”

According to the festival’s art director, Remzi Buharalı, the opening concert on Aug. 25 will be performed by the successful Vienna chamber music group, the Schloss Schönbrunn Orchestra. Buharalı explained that when the Side Festival Orchestra takes the stage on Sept. 30 for the final performance of the festival, it will be the first concert for the group. He said, “It will be a huge victory for a culture and arts festival in our country.” 

Side Culture and Arts Festival 2012 Program

Aug 25- Schloss Schönbrunn Orchestra

Aug 28- Massimo Mercelli and Luis Bacalov

Aug 30- Golden Trombone Orchestra

Sept 2- Türksoy Chamber Orchestra directed by Anvar Akbarov

Sept 5- Antalya State Symphony Orchestra directed by Antonio Pirolli

Sept 9- ENBE Orchestra

Sept 13- Peking Symphony Orchestra directed by Tan Li

Sept 15- Ege University Folk Dance Group

Sept 18- Anadolu University Symphony Orchestra directed by Can Deliorman

Sept 21- Dagestan Folk Dance Group

Sept 24- Antalya State Symphony Orchestra directed by Orhan Şallıel

Sept 27- Ayhan Sicimoğlu and Latin All Stars

Sept 30- Closing ceremonies with the Side Festival Orchestra directed by Krzysztof Penderecki