International Bodrum Ballet Festival to mark 11th year in August

The popular southwestern holiday resort town of Bodrum will unveil the 11th edition of its international ballet festival in August, hosting a series of performances by leading Turkish, South Korean and Russian ballet companies, the Dogan news agency reported on Sunday. The festival will open on Aug. 7 with the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet (IDOB) presenting Turkish composer Nevit Kodalli's ballet "Hurrem Sultan," which tells about the legendary love between the 16th century Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and his wife, Hurrem Sultan, and run until Aug. 21. The Samsun State Opera and Ballet will stage "Bach Alla Turca," which tells about the changes in the relationships of four individuals in line with the rhythms of some of Bach's pieces, on Aug. 10 and 11, while the Ankara State Opera and Ballet (ADOB) will perform Georgian composer Vakhtang Kakhidze's "Amazonlar" (The Amazons), recounting the experiences of a group of heroic male and female warriors, on Aug. 14. Korea's Universal Ballet will present "Black Cake, Floresta Tango" on Aug. 17 and the Russian State Ballet of Siberia will stage "Spartacus" on Aug. 20 and 21. All the performances will take place at the historic Bodrum Castle. For further information about the festival visit bodrumballetfestival.gov.tr.