International Sabancı Theater Festival
The "Sakıp Sabancı Lifetime Achievement Award" is presented on the opening day of the festival since 2005 to honor and recognize the role of the masters, who had profound contributions to the evolution of the drama as an art.
[1] The 13th edition of the festival kicked off on March 27, the World Theatre Day, with an astounding opening show staged by Italian ensemble Studio Festi on the Seyhan River and the Taşköprü (literally 'Stone Bridge').
Sabancı underscored the Foundation's efforts to increase the number of art viewers in Turkey and to ensure future generations to embrace the cultural legacy.
Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ertuğrul Günay, expressed the success of international festivals organized in various provinces of Turkey.
The 12th Theater Festival began on March 27, again on the World Theatre Day, with a spectacular show by the Italian Studio Festi ensemble.
Studio Festi is known across the world with their fascinating visual performances and dramatic creations orchestrated in city centers, natural surroundings and historical sites, and their show for the Festival opening viewed by thousands of people with great interest.
The one-hour "Concert for Elements" performed on the Seyhan River featured Studio Festi dancers defying gravity atop huge planets and model ships rising to the sky.
We would like to thank the people of Adana for supporting drama and their festival.” Chairman of the Sabancı Foundation Board of Trustees Güler Sabancı noted their pleasure in helping thousands of people enjoy drama through the festival, which she said was supported by the foundation to help spread the outreach of social, cultural and artistic events in Turkey and uphold traditional values.
This is an important step in making Adana a center for culture and the arts," and continued, "Taşköprü is a part of the festival again.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Erturul Günay expressed his pride in the success of international festivals held in various cities of Turkey.
The master of ceremonies for the night was actor Ali Düşenkalkar, and the "World Theatre Day Declaration" was read by Derya Keyf.
The rhythmic cortege accompanied by vocalists melted into the crowd, playing electronic music like a medieval techno parade.
World-famous Spanish group "Comediants" performed their play Dimonis, which included fire dances, dragons and fireworks, and turned the opening into an extraordinarily fascinating show.
Having painted their faces, arms and legs blue, the performers then started to march onwards to Atatürk Street in accompaniment of barrels carried or rolled by them and under fireworks.
Erkal, who received his award from Güler Sabancı, said during his speech that he has made it a habit to come to Adana at least once every year throughout his 50-year career to present one of his productions.
The late Sakıp Sabancı, after watching the play from the front row, congratulated me with a hug in his unique enthusiasm.
