Balkan velayat theater to perform at the TURKSOY Festival in Aktau

From September 21 to 26, the city of Aktau, which has been awarded the title "Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2025," is hosting the III International Theater Festival TURKSOY.

Nine theater groups from Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Hungary, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan will present their best performances on the stage of the N. Zhanturin Regional Musical Drama Theater. Our country will be represented at the creative venue by the State Drama Theater named after Saparmyrat Turkmenbashi of Balkan velayat with the play "Baýram han türkmen," which will be shown on September 26.

The main symbol of the festival is the "Suyn Aigyr". It symbolizes not just the image of a steed, but an important sign of unity, spirit, and the shared history of Turkic peoples. In honor of this, actors of the Mangystau Regional Drama Theater named after N. Zhanturin opened the festival with the play "Suyn Aigyr – Mirror of the People's Spirit."

The jury, which will determine the best participants of the festival, includes experienced directors, playwrights, and critics of theater art from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkiye, and Turkmenistan.

Besides the competitive performances, the festival features a rich business and educational program. Thus, the eleventh Meeting of the Council of Theater Directors was held under the theme "Theaters of the Turkic World: Cultural Interaction, Creative Cooperation, and Contemporary Development Trends," with the participation of TURKSOY leadership and heads of state theaters of the member countries.

Additionally, the program includes the masterclass "Zhanturin Talks." Participants in this event include the People's Artist of the USSR Asanali Ashimov, theater and film actress Dulyga Akmolda, and the artistic director of the N. Zhanturin Regional Musical Drama Theater, Medgat Omiraliev.

The III International Theater Festival TURKSOY plays an important role in strengthening cultural ties. The event expands the theatrical world of Aktau, giving artists a unique opportunity to exchange experiences and establish new creative contacts.

Admission to all performances is free for everyone, but prior registration is required. Already at the opening ceremony, the auditorium was full, confirming the high interest in theatrical art among the fraternal Turkic peoples.