French Ambassador Isabelle Dumont and Belgian Ambassador Hendrik Van de Velde faced off in an “Erik Dalı” dance duel during the French National Day reception on July 14. Ömer Faruk Bostan accompanied the two ambassadors with a live performance as they danced opposite each other to the traditional Ankara tune. Dumont also performed “Erik Dalı” on the saxophone and later stepped behind the DJ booth.
This year’s French National Day reception at the French Embassy in Ankara featured a series of colourful moments. A light-hearted “Erik Dalı” challenge that began on social media several weeks earlier finally came to life on stage.
Belgian Ambassador to Ankara Hendrik Van de Velde attracted widespread attention on social media after dancing to “Erik Dalı” at a reception in May. The French Embassy in Ankara later invited him through its official social media account to take part in an “Erik Dalı” dance-off with French Ambassador Isabelle Dumont at the July 14 reception.
Dumont responded by sharing the invitation with the message: “My dear friend, I am ready.”
Dumont Plays “Erik Dalı” on the Saxophone
Van de Velde accepted the invitation and attended the French National Day reception with his family. The embassy showed the France-Spain semi-final at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on a giant screen in the garden while the reception continued.
During the half-time break, Dumont took to the stage, playing “Erik Dalı” on the saxophone. Singer Ömer Faruk Bostan, best known for his rendition of the song, joined her on stage.
Bostan then took the microphone and invited the two ambassadors to dance together. As he performed live, Dumont and Van de Velde danced opposite each other to the traditional Ankara tune.
Guests greeted their performance with enthusiastic applause. Other attendees soon joined the ambassadors on the dance floor as Ankara folk music filled the garden of the French Embassy.
Dumont Steps Behind the DJ Booth
Dumont also played the saxophone alongside the Tevfik Fikret High School Jazz Orchestra.
Later in the evening, she stepped behind the DJ booth and joined DJ Tuba Lüleci Alaçam. Her lively performance and warm manner drew considerable attention from the guests.
Deputy Foreign Minister and Director for EU Affairs, Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay, Deputy Treasury and Finance Minister Osman Çelik, and Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş also attended the reception.
