The 18th edition of The International Festival of the Turkish-Tatar Folk Costume, Dance and Song takes place in Constanta on September 6-9. Organised this time as well by the Democratic Union of the Muslim-Turkish Tatars in Romania with the support of the Government of Romania- The Department of Interethnic Relations and the Ministry of Culture, this year the event will bring together folk ensembles from Turkey, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Romania. Ensembles of other Dobrudjan co-inhabiting ethnic communities will also perform, for the first time, at the 2012 edition of the festival, along with ensembles which are representative for the Tatars’ folklore in Dobrudja. All those who will accompany the ensembles during the traditional parade will also have a surprise premiere prepared by the organisers.
According to the tradition, the festival begins with the traditional costume parade, which is held on Friday, September 7th, from 10:00 a.m. on the route – Constanta Sports Hall – Tomis Boulevard – Alexandru Lapusneanu Boulevard – ‘Soveja’ Summer Theatre, where a short artistic program will take place.
The first day of the festival continues with the visit to the local authorities of the heads of the delegations attending the festival. The festival officially starts on Friday, September 7th, at 7:00 p.m., at ‘Soveja’ Summer Theatre with the opening speech of UDTTMR President Gelil Eserghep. The ensembles from abroad will perform in the first evening.
The second day of the festival, Saturday, September 8th starts at 4 p.m. with a traditional Tatar belt wrestling tour called küreş, and the second evening of the festival starts at 7 p.m. at the same place, ‘Soveja’ Summer Theatre.This time ensembles of several UDTTMR branches will perform as well as one Romanian folk group and also ensembles belonging to other ethnic communities.

The 18th edition of The International Festival of the Turkish-Tatar Folk Costume, Dance and Song ends with a festivity, in which the organisers will reward the folk dance groups and artists with prizes and diplomas.