The Kardelen Turkish Dance Ensemble was founded in Washington, DC in 2004 by a number of individuals who are dedicated to promoting the diverse, rich and vibrant culture of Turkey through its dances. Kardelen’s dances provide a glimpse into the lives and celebrations of the Turkish people and take audiences on a cultural journey through the villages of Asia Minor, or Anatolia as Turks call it, to
the royal Ottoman palaces of Istanbul. The Ensemble takes its name from a resilient Anatolian mountain flower. The word “kardelen” means “one that pierces through the snow”. The Kardelen is Turkish for "snowdrop," an early-blooming flower which survives under hardship and severe weather circumstances.
