The 12th British Alevi Festival took place on June 15-16, drawing significant participation from the Alevi community living in London. The festival, themed “May Our Light Awaken for the Love of Truth,” was held at the British Alevi Federation (BAF) premises, showcasing the unity and cultural heritage of Alevis from all over the UK.
On the first day of the event despite the rain community members attended through the daylong event with to watch traditional Alevi spiritual dance, known as Semah, was performed, captivating the audience with its spiritual and cultural significance. Along with London-based writers and painters presented their works, contributing to the festival’s vibrant cultural atmosphere and various village and regional associations set up stands offering traditional Alevi cuisine, allowing attendees to savor authentic dishes.
On the second day witht he weather warming up crowds gathers to listen to a number of speaks made by the leader of the Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP) and an MP for Istanbul Erkan Baş and Istanbul president of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) Özgür Çelik delivered speeches. They emphasized their ongoing support for Alevis’ struggle for equal citizenship in Turkey and their commitment to fighting discrimination and anti-democratic practices alongside the Alevi community.
The festival concluded with performances by Olcay Bayır, Gülseven Medar, and Niyazi Koyuncu, who were well-received and applauded by the audience.
The 12th British Alevi Festival successfully brought together various segments of the Alevi community, reinforcing their cultural identity and fostering a sense of unity and solidarity.
