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

According to Anadolu Agency, which served as the event's global communication partner, the forum highlighted the significance of traditional sports and the shared commitment to preserving cultural heritage. During the event, Turkish national athlete Aysegul Demirbag Caliskan was honored for her achievements, including winning a gold medal at the fifth World Nomad Games in Kazakhstan.

The forum gathered participants from 75 countries over the weekend under the motto, 'Revival of Traditional Sports.' In his closing speech, President of the World Ethnosport Confederation (WEC) Bilal Erdogan emphasized the enduring strength of cultural heritage in a rapidly changing world. He remarked on the unshakable connection to roots that offers hope and direction to humanity.

Erdogan highlighted the importance of dialogue and collaboration, noting that discussions and exchanges at the forum strengthened cultural unity and the vision of a shared future. He addressed the challenges of modern life, stressing the urgent need to reconnect with cultural heritage as identities fade and societies lose foundational roots.

Erdogan stated that building a future grounded in tradition is essential, as only societies that embrace their values can truly endure. He used the analogy of archery, saying, "There is no future without a past. As we say in archery, you cannot shoot an arrow forward without first pulling it back."

The awards ceremony included a report on the 5th World Nomad Games in Kazakhstan, highlighting key achievements and future plans. The forum also explored the future of traditional sports through sessions, panels, and strategic talks, focusing on development and sustainability strategies.