معرفی
Neslihan Ertural is an Assistant Professor at Gaziantep University's Turkish Music State Conservatory, specializing in Turkish Folk Dances. With over two decades of academic experience, she holds leadership roles including Department Head and previously served as Conservatory Director. Her work bridges scholarly research with cultural preservation through UNESCO-recognized intangible heritage initiatives.
Her academic foundation includes a Doctorate in Turkish Folklorics (2012) and Master's in Turkish Folk Dances (2005) from Ege University, and a Licence in Turkish Folk Dances (2002) from Gaziantep University.
Dr. Ertural's research explores Turkish folk dance traditions through multiple lenses: the Barana ritual of Dursunbey, animal metaphors in choreography, gender representations, and educational applications for children and neurodiverse populations. She examines how dance transmits cultural values through narratives like folk tales and epics, connecting physical movement to mythological transformation and community identity.
Her 15 most recent publications reveal a sustained focus on regional Anatolian traditions, particularly documenting endangered practices through ethnographic fieldwork. The work consistently links dance to broader cultural frameworks—agricultural rituals, costume symbolism, and intergenerational knowledge transfer—while analyzing contemporary relevance in museum education and social cohesion.
Her scientific recognition includes institutional awards for cultural contributions:
- Teşekkür Belgesi (T.C. GAZİANTEP VALİLİĞİ, 2022)
- Teşekkür Belgesi (GAZİANTEP BÜYÜKŞEHİR BELEDİYESİ, 2018)
- Teşekkür Belgesi (GAZİANTEP ÜNİVERSİTESİ, 2017)
- Teşekkür Belgesi (T.C.GAZİANTEP VALİLİĞİ, 2016)
- Üniversite Teşekkür Belgesi (2016)
- Üniversite Plaket (2015)
She has supervised two Master's theses on Turkish music traditions and led the national 'Intangible Cultural Heritage: Balıkesir Dursunbey Barana Tradition Project' (2009-2011). Her grant work focuses on sustainable preservation of folk practices through master-apprentice relationships.
Dr. Ertural directs cultural initiatives at Gaziantep's Game and Toy Museum, designing workshops that integrate folk tales, dances, and traditional games. Her performance team has executed over 30 documented events since 2006, including UNESCO heritage presentations and autism-focused dance therapy programs.
