Turkish Authorities Cancel Armenian Dance Group's Performance

The central program of the 21st Munzur Culture and Nature Festival has deemed it "inappropriate" for the participation of Grup Yorum, Grup İsyan Ateşi, and the Armenian Veradardz Folk Group. The organizing committee has released a statement regarding this decision.

According to a letter from Governor Tunceli dated July 28, the commission noted that they were informed that Grup Yorum, Grup İsyan Ateşi, and Veradardz Folk Group are not suitable to be included in the festival program. "We inform the public that Grup Yorum, Grup İsyan Ateşi, and Veradardz Folk Group will not be able to perform at the Munzur Culture and Nature Festival, but the rest of the festival program will be implemented in the city center and neighborhoods," the statement read.

Özkan Takarn, president of the Federation of Unions in Dersim, also stated, "We do not want the festival to be derailed because of these three groups. We will conduct our festival with great enthusiasm in the city center and neighborhoods." Last year, Grup Yorum and Grup İsyan Ateşi were also removed from the festival schedule, and the artists were not allowed to enter Dersim.