STRONG PERFORMANCE BY DÜNYA DANS MERKEZİ IN SKOPJE
Dancers from Ankara’s Dünya Dans Merkezi returned from Skopje with notable achievements, earning two first-place and two second-place awards at the International Dance Competitions held on 8 November in North Macedonia. Competing among performers from 25 countries, the team represented Türkiye with standout performances in both solo and group categories. In solo modern dance, Irmak Baz and Derin Kazancı claimed first place, while Nisa Ece Yıldırım secured second place.
TURKISH DANCERS MEASURE THEIR GLOBAL STANDARDS
Bahri Gürcan, Artistic Director of Dünya Dans Merkezi, highlighted the scale of the competition, noting that they participated with 32 dancers in an event crowded with hundreds of competitors. He said the awards reflect Türkiye’s growing progress in dance, even though classical arts remain demanding due to their centuries-old foundations and high technical standards. Gürcan added that international competitions allow Turkish dancers to compare themselves with their global peers and understand “where they stand among dancers from different countries,” emphasizing the value of such experiences.
ADVANTAGES IN TECHNIQUE, MUSICALITY AND CHOREOGRAPHY
Representing Türkiye on the jury, Gürcan observed that judges paid close attention to dancers with clear professional potential. He noted that the Turkish group stood out through their physical ability, musical interpretation and choreography, describing the competition as “deeply valuable and a source of pride for Türkiye.”
FIRST INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION, FIRST VICTORY
Sixteen-year-old Irmak Baz, a student at Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory, earned first place in solo modern dance in what was her debut international competition. She described the event as a new and inspiring experience and said she hopes to participate in similar competitions abroad.
TRAINING CONTINUES WITH ROYAL BALLET INSTRUCTORS
Dünya Dans Merkezi continues its advanced training program through Master Class sessions led by David Peden, a senior instructor from the Royal Ballet, who has been working with the students for the past two months.
