Dance in Northern Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot culture offers a wide range of folk dances inspired by various influences. Different versions of greetings and dances such as Çiftetelli and Zeybek are parts of this rich cultural heritage. Turkish Cypriot folk dances show themselves with names and styles that vary between regions. Dances can be performed by men only, women only, or mixed groups. In the past, these folk dances and dances were an indispensable part of weddings and carried the motifs of traditional entertainment, lifestyles and important events.

The "jug game", an important tradition of folk dances, is a ritual performed by the bride's mother and mother-in-law before the wedding. Coins, almonds, raisins and sugar are filled into an earthen pot and young women dance around this pot, eventually the pot is broken. The scattered candies are collected by the children and this traditional dance is still kept alive today.

Revival of Folk Dances
Since the 1980s, there has been a revival in traditional folk dances in Northern Cyprus, thanks to the folk dance groups formed by the Ministry of National Education, municipalities and various associations. These efforts have led to the revival of forgotten traditions, such as henna dances, and allowed dances traditionally associated with only one gender to be performed by mixed groups. Turkish Cypriot folk dance groups also play an active role on the international platform by promoting these traditions at various festivals in Europe.

Trikomo/Iskele and Gönyeli international folk dance festivals and competitions held in Northern Cyprus play an important role in promoting these dances. HASDER, the first folk dance and folklore association of Northern Cyprus, was founded in 1977 and made a great contribution to the preservation and dissemination of folk dances.

Other Types of Dance
Bellapais Monastery hosts many classical music and dance events. Northern Cyprus universities contribute to dance diversity with events where students from dozens of countries perform their traditional dances.

Northern Cyprus also hosts annual dance festivals in different styles. Salsa Jam is an annual salsa festival held in Kyrenia and the International Cyprus Tango Festival is organized annually in Bellapais Monastery by the Cyprus Tango Culture and Art Association. Performances of other dance genres, such as traditional Chinese dance, are also staged from time to time.

North Nicosia is a center of many dance schools and various modern dance events are held here. Atatürk Culture and Congress Center hosts internationally renowned musicals and dance shows. In 2010, North Nicosia hosted the international Earthdance event, bringing together thousands of people.