ISTANBUL, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- An art festival kicked off on Thursday in central Istanbul, drawing locals and tourists alike to an open-air bazaar packed with numerous traditional crafts.

Various artisans specialized in diverse branches of art across the country are joining the festival dubbed "Life in Beyoglu" at the iconic Taksim Square in the Beyoglu district.

The festival was inaugurated with the performance of a traditional Ottoman janissary band and presentations of local artists who displayed their arts and crafts.

A glass artist created a glass light and a glass vase by giving shape to a piece of malleable molten material, while a woodcarver carved out a beautiful Ottoman-style symbol over a wooden plate.

Drawing particular interest were pieces made by a silver jeweler and a traditional pottery master.

Haydar Ali Yildiz, the district mayor, said the artists would display Turkey's most long-standing cultural values with their distinctive arts and crafts during the festival which lasts until Sept. 22.