Get on your dancing shoes for Istanbul International Dance Festival

Considered one of the most popular Latin dance festivals in the world, the sixth Istanbul International Dance Festival kicks off today with the participation of 3,500 social dancers from over 80 countries. Continuing until April 3, the festival is taking place at the Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus Hotel.

The international event starts tonight with a welcome party themed "Dance for Peace and Friendship." Participants will have the opportunity to join a variety of workshops, boot camps, parties and live concerts during the festival, as well as see amazing shows performed by world-renowned dance artists and show groups from the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, South America, Canada, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Scandinavia and the Balkans.

For four days, festivalgoers will have a chance to attend intensive workshops at all levels to be given by the world's top salsa, bachata and kizomba instructors. The workshops will be held from Thursday to Sunday, with 100 hours of salsa and bachata and 50 hours of kizomba, semba, tarraxinha and afro house lessons offered in total.

Those who want to take up dance will put on their dancing shoes at the "Beginners Boot Camp," a course for absolute beginners who are new to the genre or have taken some classes and want to learn more. First-timers will have the opportunity to attend the 25-hour boot camp and learn basic moves for their dance routines.

Throughout the festival live performances are set to take place at the venue. After the contests, workshops and dance lessons are finished, every night accomplished bands will take over the stage, allowing dancers to show off their dance moves.

On April 3, after the festival closing party, the Street Dance Carnival will occupy the streets of Istanbul, turning the entire city into a dance floor. Those who are interested in taking part in the festival are asked to register before joining the events.