Anatolian Fire Dance Group: Showcasing the Epic of Troy to the World

The Anatolian Fire dance group brings the epic tale of Troy, where love and blood intertwine, to audiences worldwide. With a 300-member ensemble, they have captivated art lovers in Türkiye and many countries for 17 years. Their performances revive the story of Troy, which flourished 3,000 years ago.

A Journey Through History

Mustafa Erdoğan, the General Artistic Director of the Anatolian Fire Dance Company, shared insights about the Troy dance performance. He emphasized the significance of Troy as a vital civilization for both Türkiye and the world. Each character in the Trojan epic has a compelling story. Erdoğan stated, “We are performing it for the first time in its homeland. We are Trojans; we are the Troy civilization. Many believe that Troy existed in Greece, but we announce to the world that it took place in Çanakkale. We convey this through our culture and dances.”

A Unique Performance Experience

Erdoğan explained that the Troy performance involves extensive behind-the-scenes work. “The show features 300 artists and over 1,300 handcrafted costumes. While the film was shot once, we feel like we are creating that film anew every day. Our rehearsal times are set, but the end time is uncertain. We have long rehearsals that can be exhausting and sometimes risky. We use real swords in the performance, and the battles are portrayed as realistically as possible.”

Expert Guidance

The historical consultant for Anatolian Fire is archaeologist Nezih Başgelen. Prof. Dr. Rüstem Aslan serves as the consultant for Troy. Erdoğan noted, “Prof. Rüstem is still the excavation director at Troy and is one of the world’s leading experts. We prepare by consulting him and using his drawings. We designed all the stage decorations and visual images based on our consultations with our experts.”

Promoting Türkiye’s Troy Culture

Erdoğan highlighted the impressive 12-meter model horse used in the performance. This model has also appeared during tours in Mexico City, Belgium, and Germany. During international tours, they place visuals in city squares stating, “Troy is in Çanakkale, Türkiye, and the show is at this time in this venue.” Erdoğan said, “We promote the show while introducing Türkiye’s Troy culture to the world. Many people who watch us decide to visit Türkiye.”