Turkish Ballet Dancer Trains North Macedonian Dancers

A former head ballet dancer from the Ankara State Opera and Ballet (ADOB), is training dancers in North Macedonia.

Bahri Gurcan told Anadolu Agency that he established a dancing school in Turkey's capital of Ankara in 2007 and discovered talented children.

His decision to open a school came after dancing abroad for years.

But Gurcan is now in North Macedonia to improve his international career as a dance teacher.

"I came here to represent Turkish ballet. It is really nice that an artist from Turkish ballet comes and gives lessons to the State Ballet of North Macedonia. Previously, I gave lectures in France and in various countries, " he said.

Jury member in ballet competition in North Macedonia

Gurcan said he participated in a ballet competition in North Macedonia as a member of the jury on Nov. 20. There were 120 dancers from around the world competing, as well as two dancers from Turkey.

He recently started to give "master class" lessons to North Macedonian State Ballet artists.

"There is great interest in ballet in Turkey"

Gurcan emphasized that Turkish ballet is trying to establish its own school and officials are doing very serious work.

"I think that a dancer from the Turkish school will come and give lessons in North Macedonia, it will make a great contribution to themselves as well, " he said.

Gurcan said that there are six opera houses and six dance companies in Turkey.

"There are various conservatories and various private schools. There is great interest in ballet in Turkey as well. After all, dance is an art form that is in the culture of all societies. Ballet sits at the top of this. Because it is a universal art, it contributes to the culture and music of our country. With serious studies in our country, the art of ballet has reached an important point. Now, it's time to open up to the world, " he said Gurcan.

Turkish dancers took first and second places

The two Turkish young ballet dancers won first and second place in the Nov. 20 competition in Skopje.

Nilay Tahiroglu placed first in the International Dance Competition (Stage 2021).

"Everything is going very well. We came here to compete. I came first. I am happy, it was a good competition," said Tahiroglu, who said she has been doing ballet for nine years.

Runner-up Beril Ada Ozdemir said she has been interested in ballet for seven years.

"It is very nice for me to come here. It is an honor for me to work with teacher Bahri. I am very happy to be awarded the second medal in this competition," she said. -