ANADOLU UNIVERSITY FOLKLORE RESEARCH CENTER

The Folk Dance Ensemble, affiliated with Anadolu University Folklore Research Center, aims to promote Anatolian culture through folk dance, which is one of the most significant components of folklore.
Anadolu University Folk Dance Ensemble was founded in 1975 as a subunit of Anadolu University Folklore Research Center. Since then, the ensemble has introduced aesthetic and artistic perceptions and feelings of Turkish people both to young members of Anadolu University and to the members of diverse cultures in international festivals. The ensemble has been working with about 100 new dancers selected among students every year. The repertory of the ensemble comprises eight types of dances. These types are exemplified by 24 different regional dances of our country.
The ensemble makes performances within special celebrations and events in addition to its regular shows held every year. Anadolu University Folk Dance Ensemble gave performances at home over 300, abroad over 160 and in 16 live and 18 cable broadcasts on TV. The ensemble took part in festivals in many provinces of Turkiye and in about 30 countries including many European and North and South America countries; and played an active role in promoting our country, culture and university effectively.
In 1982, the group won first prize in the Research section of the 2nd Turkish Intercollegiate Folk Dance competition with ‘The Eskisehir Region Folk Dance Report’ which was an outcome of folk-dance research. Moreover, the group won first prize in the same field at the 3rd Turkish Intercollegiate Folk Dance Competition with a report called ‘Social Change and Folk Dance in 1983. In 1987 they won first prize in the authentic clothes part of the Interladlegiate Folk Dance Competition which featured Eskisehir’s Women’s Constumes.’ In 2008, the ensemble was shown as a good model in the CIOFF’s annual meeting.