ISTANBUL - Turkey's first aerospace and technology festival kicked off on Thursday with a spectacular ceremony at the construction zone of Istanbul's new airport.

The Teknofest Istanbul, organized by the Turkey Technology Team Foundation, aims to showcase the country's advances in technology and to promote technological progress as a national objective, Mehmet Fatih Kacir, Turkey's deputy minister of industry and technology and head of the foundation, told Xinhua.

"Promotion of technology cannot happen without a little fun, and we intend to highlight technology in a big way with our internationally competitive aviation teams," he added.

The Turkish Stars, Turkey's Air Force aerobatic team, performed a thrilling show with six aircraft at the opening ceremony, which drew a large audience including many students.