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TWO SHORES CULTURE FESTIVAL BRINGS BODRUM AND KOS TOGETHER AGAIN
04.06.2026
The second leg of the 6th Two Shores Culture Festival, organised in cooperation with Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, Bodrum Municipality and Kos Municipality, was held in Kos on 3 and 4 June, following the first stage of the festival in Bodrum on 8–10 May.
The programme began with a welcome ceremony at Kos Port, followed by a gathering in front of the Statue of Hippocrates and a symbolic walk to Eleftherias (Liberty) Square accompanied by the Kos Municipality Philharmonic Orchestra.
Hosted by Mayor Theodosis Nikitaras of Kos (Greece), the festival was attended by Turkish Consul General in Rhodes Mebşure Taşkın, Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Aras, Mayor Tamer Mandalinci of Bodrum, Mayor Gonca Köksal Aras of Menteşe, Kos-Nisyros Regional Governor Konstantina Svinou, Mayor Fotis Mangos of Lipsi, Mayor Nikitas Tsampalakis of Patmos, Mayor Christofis Koronaios of Nisyros, Deputy Mayor Eleni Chelmi of Leros, Deputy Mayor Kalliopi Koutouzi of Kalymnos, Two Shores Culture Festival Committee Chair Nil Taşkıran, as well as deputy mayors of Bodrum and municipal council members.
In his opening remarks, Ahmet Aras said it was particularly meaningful to strengthen peace, friendship and solidarity across the Aegean at a time when the world was going through difficult days. Theodosis Nikitaras also underlined the unifying role of the Aegean and said the festival helped make lasting the ties of friendship and fraternity between the two shores.
Mayor Tamer Mandalinci likewise stressed the unifying power of the Aegean, saying that the sea did not divide the peoples of the region but brought them together, and described culture, art and friendship as the strongest bridges between them.
The festival concluded with traditional performances by folk dance groups from both sides of the Aegean and a friendship concert featuring artists from the two shores.
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