The Star of Ballet

Duru Basut, a student in Department of Textile and Fashion Design at Izmir University of Economics (IUE), achieved three first-place titles in the International Dance Competition (Stage 2024) hosted by Macedonia. Competing in the ballet category, Basut triumphed in trio, group, and solo performances, adding a major accomplishment to her career at just 17 years old. Expressing her love for dance and her commitment to balancing education and dance, Basut said, “I prepared well for the competition and was confident in myself. My energy was high, and the moment I stepped into the hall, I felt I was going to succeed. Returning from Macedonia with three medals felt like a dream. I’m very happy.”

Duru Basut’s talent for dance was discovered by her preschool teacher when she was just four years old in Izmir’s Karşıyaka district. When her teacher remarked, “She is very talented and open to development,” her family immediately enrolled her in dance classes, opening the door to a completely new life. Starting private lessons at a young age, Basut quickly climbed the ladder of success, proving those who believed in her right.

STEP BY STEP TO FIRST PLACE

Never giving up on dance, Basut continued her regular training during elementary and middle school, earning medals in national-level modern dance and ballet competitions. In 2022, the young dancer achieved second place in Europe in the “ballet duet” category at a championship held in Macedonia. Last year, at the World Dance Championship in Belgium, she placed fourth in the “modern dance duet” category.

Basut finally achieved her long-cherished dream of winning first place internationally at the International Dance Competition in Skopje, Macedonia, where she earned three first-place titles in the “ballet” category, bringing great pride to Turkey. Basut, who received an art scholarship from Izmir University of Economics and began studying in the Department of Textile and Fashion Design this year, has become a role model by successfully balancing her education and dance career.

FIRST PLACE INTERNATIONALLY

Expressing that she continues her training with 2-3 hours of practice daily and that dance helps her feel strong and energized, Duru said, “As a child, I used to dance in front of the TV or to music I played myself. I’ve always been interested in dance for as long as I can remember. Now I’m 17, but my love and passion for dance remain as strong as on the first day. I cared a lot about the competition in Macedonia. I wanted to win. I was well-prepared. I walked into the competition imagining the moment I would return to Izmir with medals. My mom was with me, and I felt comfortable. I was a little nervous, but I overcame that as time passed. In the end, I achieved my goal and won first place. While I had first-place titles in Turkey, I had never won first place internationally despite earning medals. In Macedonia, I achieved my first international first-place title.”

“20 TEAMS FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES COMPETED”

The young dancer stated the following: “In the competition, there were 20 teams from different countries. I won first place on my own in the solo category. In addition to this, we competed as a group and trio with my friends Deniz Keskin, Delfin Açık, İlkay Kahraman, and Defne Acar, and we also took first place in those two categories. As a result, we completed the competition with three medals. We believe we represented our country in the best possible way. I’m studying in a program I love and chose willingly at my University. My family is already in the textile business, and we have our own company. I’m just a first-year student, but I believe I will succeed in my major as I have in dance. My biggest dream is to compete in championships wearing dance costumes I design myself. Thinking about this excites me. I hope I can achieve this goal too and win many titles wearing my own designs."