Turkish dance ensemble 'Fire of Anatolia' concludes Colombian tour

"Fire of Anatolia" (Anadolu Atesi), Türkiye’s acclaimed dance ensemble, concluded its Colombian tour with a final, stunning performance at Bogota’s Astor Plaza Theater, gathering extensive acclaim.

Under the artistic guidance of Mustafa Erdogan, the troupe also mesmerized audiences in Medellin earlier in their tour.

The performance culminated with the Turkish and Colombian flags projected together on the backdrop, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience. This symbolic gesture underscored the cultural bridge the tour aimed to build between the two nations.

Beste Pehlivan Sun, Türkiye’s ambassador to Colombia, shared her impressions with reporters. "Seeing 'Fire of Anatolia' perform in Colombia for the first time filled us with pride. The ensemble has significantly contributed to promoting our culture here," she said. Sun also noted the high turnout, "The halls were packed, proving their appeal and the strong impression they’ve made."

Audience members openly praised the group’s performance. Jessica Calderon, a spectator at the show, described the performance as "colorful and spectacular."

"It was an incredible experience. Despite living in Türkiye for several years, I never had the chance to see them perform there. Watching them here in Colombia brought back many fond memories," Calderon remarked.

Leonardo Garzon, another spectator, spoke highly of the performance’s depth, "We saw a show that beautifully depicted various historical periods and regions of Türkiye. It was a fantastic performance."

Gina Valencia also expressed her joy at the opportunity to watch the dance ensemble in Colombia. "I’m extremely happy to have experienced 'Fire of Anatolia' here," she stated.

The group’s choreographer Alper Aksoy announced their intention to return to Colombia due to the success of this tour. "Our show in Medellin was excellent, and we received the kind of applause dancers dream of. The audience’s standing ovations in both cities were heartwarming," Aksoy revealed. He also looked ahead to the group's 25th anniversary celebrations, "We are eagerly preparing for a special show at the Besiktas Tupras Stadium to mark our 25th year."

"Fire of Anatolia" is a vibrant Turkish dance group that includes 120 dancers and several choreographers. Founded by Mustafa Erdogan in 1999, the group initially emerged from auditions that drew 750 applicants.

The ensemble first performed under the name "Sultans of the Dance" and quickly rose to prominence. Recognized for their energetic and fast-paced performances, "Fire of Anatolia" holds two Guinness World Records: one for the fastest dance performance at 241 steps per minute and another for performing in front of the largest audience, 400,000 people, in Eregli.

The group has appeared on stage in over 85 countries, attracting an estimated 20 million people worldwide. Their repertoire includes the shows "Fire of Anatolia" and "Dawool," the latter emphasizing Istanbul’s multicultural vibrancy through rhythmic drum sessions and diverse dance styles.

Source: Newsroom