The International Büyükçekmece Culture and Arts Festival, which was recognized as the best festival in the world by the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF), will be put on for the 18th time between July 28 and Aug. 5.

At the festival, which will bring together artists between the ages of five and 85 from various countries around the world, has various activities such as the International Instruments Collection, International Puppet Festival, Gramophone Records Exhibition, Traditional Handicrafts, Photography Contest Exhibition, International Muppet Theatre Performance, Folk Dance Contests and Performances, Sculpture Symposium, Academy of Children's Handicrafts, Academy of Children's Ceramics and Turkish Cuisine Exhibition will be shown to visitors.

The festival's traditional costumes were designed by famous fashion designer Cemil İpekçi. Under the International Büyükçekmece Culture and Arts Festival, figures including İpek Açar, İskender Paydaş, Suat Suna, Bengü, Mor ve Ötesi, Koray Avcı and American artist Della Miles, who served for years as a backing vocalist of many famous singers such as Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston, will be in attendance.

Where: Various spots in Istanbul

When: from July 28 to Aug. 5