The festival, organized by the World Traditional Sports Federation in cooperation with Anadolu Agency, its global communications partner, kicked off at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport on Thursday.
The festival, which continues until next Sunday, includes a variety of performances in sports, heritage games, traditional arts, culinary arts, and performing arts.
In addition, a space was allocated within the solidarity tent to highlight the suffering of the Palestinian people and shed light on the tragedy of the children of Gaza.
In the solidarity tent, symbolic toys representing Gaza's children who lost their lives in the war were displayed, and banners supporting the Palestinian enclave were raised.
Oil paintings inspired by the Palestinian cause were also presented, and a watermelon representing the map of Palestine was placed in the center of the solidarity tent.
A blood-stained journalist's jacket was also displayed as a reminder of the journalists who lost their lives as a result of the Israeli attacks on Gaza.
Director Tulay Gokcemen said the aim of these activities is to remind visitors of the daily suffering that Gaza's children endure under the siege and Israeli attacks.
Gokcemen noted that visitors showed great interest in the solidarity tent with Palestinian children.
She continued, "We wanted to tell visitors: If these children hadn't been killed by the Israeli occupation, they would be playing these games and sharing the atmosphere of this festival with you."
She added, "We notice that children demonstrate a deep awareness of what is happening in Palestine, and they practice the boycott more committedly and forcefully than adults. This is encouraging and confirms that the new generation is more aware and humane."
It's worth noting that 35 countries are participating in the festival, and events will be held in a variety of fields, including traditional sports and games, traditional arts, culinary arts, and theatrical performance arts.
