7th Ethnosport Culture Festival in Istanbul. Italy’s first time

The 7th edition of the ETHNOSPORT CULTURE FESTIVAL, an event dedicated to Ethnosport, culture, gastronomy and handicrafts, organised by the World Ethnosport Union (WEU), chaired by Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, son of the Turkish president, took place in Istanbul, in the area of the old Ataturk airport. From 22 to 25 May 2025, around one million visitors from all parts of Turkey and neighbouring countries were able to attend performances and demonstrations. Among the 35 participating countries was Italy for the first time with the Traditional Wrestling Italian Federation, which brought the sporting and cultural tradition of Apulian stick and knife fencing, with Masters Luciano and Giuseppe Trimigno from Manfredonia (Apulia region), who, in the presence of journalists and TV stations from the country, gave various demonstrations, arousing great interest among the public. Impressed by the beauty of this ancient art belonging to the Italian cultural heritage, many people (adults, young people and children) took part in their lessons. In the cultural section, Italy was represented by Val d’Akragas, a folk tradition company from Agrigento, which involved the audience with wonderful dances and music from Sicily. The event received an official visit from the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

An associate member of the World Ethnosport Union, the Traditional Wrestling Italian Federation is chaired by Vittorio Giorgi, lawyer and sport manager, who comments: “Ethnosport, also called Traditional Sports, are playing an increasingly important role that goes far beyond the sporting aspect. They are, in fact, a bridge of cultural and political dialogue between peoples and countries, projecting from the distant past into our future. In this international context, the federation that I founded and chair, thanks to the commitment of all its members, is making an effective contribution and the sports promotion body A.S.I. is always at our side in this mission”.

In Istanbul, Vittorio Giorgi and Anatolie Moldovan, president of the TRYNTA National Sports Federation, recognised by the Ministry of Sport of the Republic of Moldova, signed a collaboration agreement for the promotion of Moldovan Traditional Wrestling. Italy is the first partner country for this sport.