ISTANBUL

The seventh Ethnosport Forum on Sunday concluded with a vibrant awards ceremony in St. Petersburg, Russia, celebrating the global revival of traditional sports.

Anadolu served as the event's global communication partner.

During the forum, Turkish national athlete Aysegul Demirbag Caliskan was honored for her outstanding achievements. Having won a gold medal at the fifth World Nomad Games in Kazakhstan, she was among the distinguished individuals recognized during the awards ceremony.

The forum gathered participants from 75 countries over the weekend under the motto, “Revival of Traditional Sports,” highlighting the global significance of traditional sports and a shared commitment to preserving cultural heritage.

In the closing speech at the forum, President of the World Ethnosport Confederation (WEC) Bilal Erdogan emphasized the enduring strength of cultural heritage in a rapidly changing world.

"We see once again that although the world is changing rapidly, our connection to our roots is unshakable and strong enough to offer new hope and direction to humanity," Erdogan said.

Highlighting the importance of dialogue and collaboration, he said each discussion and exchange of ideas at the forum strengthened the unity of diverse cultures and the vision of a shared future.

'There is no future without a past'

Erdogan also addressed the challenges of modern life, saying: “Humanity is currently experiencing the devastating consequences of a lifestyle shaped around personal interests.”

He warned that as identities fade and societies lose their foundational roots, reconnecting with cultural heritage becomes increasingly urgent.

Erdogan stressed the need to build a future grounded in tradition, saying only those societies that understand and embrace their values can truly endure.

“There is no future without a past,” he said. “As we say in archery, you cannot shoot an arrow forward without first pulling it back.”

At the awards ceremony, a report on the 5th World Nomad Games held in Kazakhstan was also presented, highlighting key achievements and future plans.

The forum shed light on the future of traditional sports through sessions, panels and strategic talks. Participants explored short-, medium- and long-term strategies, including development and sustainability issues.