Beyoğlu Culture Route Festival begins on 1 October

At a meeting held at the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Ahmet Misbah Demircan, the program of the “Beyoğlu Culture Route Festival,” to be held between 1 and 23 October, was reviewed. In addition to representatives of the relevant institutions, organizations and NGOs, TÜROB (Association of Turkish Hoteliers) Board Member Nuri Kalyoncu attended the meeting.

As part of the Türkiye Culture Route Festivals, programmed this year by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in five separate cities—Istanbul, Ankara, Çanakkale, Diyarbakır and Konya—with current programs available at https://www.kulturyolufestivalleri.com, the Beyoğlu Culture Route Festival, the first route mapped out last year, is preparing once again to bring the people of Istanbul together with cultural and artistic riches between 1 and 23 October. Along the 4.1-kilometer festival route that begins at AKM and reaches Galataport are important cultural tourism points such as the Atlas Cinema and the Istanbul Cinema Museum, the Galata Mevlevihanesi, the Mehmet Akif Memorial House, the Tarık Zafer Tunaya Cultural Center and the Garibaldi Stage. The festival—from theater to cinema, from literature to dance, from music to digital arts, and from exhibitions to talks—will take place at 51 separate venues, in 88 halls and on 5 open-air stages.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FESTIVAL PROGRAM...

OPERA AND BALLET PERFORMANCES TO BE STAGED

Throughout the festival, the AKM Türk Telekom Opera Hall will host both the most beloved opera and ballet performances and world-renowned stars. On the festival’s opening day, the opera Carmen, staged by the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet, will meet audiences. On 3 October, G. Bizet’s iconic work Carmen will feature in the program in a ballet interpretation by the Izmir State Opera and Ballet. On 12 October the opera The Abduction from the Seraglio and on 13 October the ballet Don Quixote will meet art lovers. On 15 October, the ballet “Picasso Eterno,” bearing the signature of Spanish artist Carlos Rodrigez, will bring a flamenco breeze. On 17 October the Ankara State Opera and Ballet will stage the ballet Swan Lake, and on 22 and 23 October the Izmir Opera and Ballet will stage the opera La Traviata.

Portugal’s Grammy-winning emotional voice Mariza on 2 October, Spanish musician Buika on 5 October, famed Latvian opera artist Kristine Opolais—who has performed at the world’s renowned opera houses—together with tenor Murat Karahan, who has played leading roles in major works at many of the world’s important opera houses, on 8 October, flamenco genius Paco Pena & Friends on 9 October, famous American jazz artist Stacey Kent on 10 October, Havasi, one of the world’s most important composers and pianists, on 11 October, world-renowned musician Fahir Atakoğlu, who continues his work in the USA, on 14 October, Spanish singer Monica Molina on 16 October, kamancha artist Mark Eliyahu, who synthesizes Eastern and Western music with modern instruments, on 18 October, and British artist Yusuf Islam on 19 October, will give music lovers an unforgettable evening at the AKM Türk Telekom Opera Hall.

OPEN-AIR CONCERTS

At the festival, open-air events in particular will not only bring the people of Istanbul together with their favorite artists but also offer the pleasure of cinema. Throughout the festival, the music will never fall silent—at the AKM Türk Telekom Open-Air Stage, at the Galataport Square Stage, and at the Şişhane Square Open-Air Stage. At the AKM Türk Telekom Open-Air Stage, in addition to concerts, films of different genres—from Neşeli Günler to Bergen, from Batman to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker—will meet art lovers. Many artists, including Göksel, Fatih Erkoç, Ceza, Levent Yüksel, Ümit Besen & Pamela, Kubat and Erol Evgin, will meet the people of Istanbul at the open-air concerts. Eliyahu on 18 October and British artist Yusuf Islam on 19 October will meet music lovers at the AKM Türk Telekom Opera Hall.

PHOTOGRAPHY EXCITEMENT WITH COŞKUN ARAL

The Tarık Zafer Tunaya Art Gallery will host a variety of gatherings, from an exhibition of the photo marathon event open to all photography lovers, whether amateur or professional, to photography workshops that also include children. Art lovers will have the chance to come together with veteran figures, among them journalist and photographic artist Coşkun Aral. In Çukurcuma, antique dealers will spill out onto the streets, and the excitement of auctions will be experienced on weekends throughout the festival.

EXHIBITION BY SELÇUK ARTUT AND DEVRİM ERBİL, INSTALLATION BY HÜSAMETTİN KOÇAN

As part of the festival, which begins on 1 October and runs until 23 October, more than six thousand artists and more than a thousand events will meet art lovers at 51 separate venues, in 88 halls and on 5 open-air stages. The Istanbul Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM), renovated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, will once again be the heart of the festival this year. Selçuk Artut’s digital exhibition titled “Geomart-UT17” will meet art lovers at the AKM Multipurpose Hall, and Devrim Erbil’s exhibition “Colors and Techniques” at the AKM Gallery. The AKM Culture Street will be one of the festival’s most popular hubs with the “Yolda” exhibition prepared by artist Hüsamettin Koçan and his team. Film screenings and talks will be held at the AKM Yeşilçam Cinema, workshops at the AKM Music Recording Studio, and various activities for children at the AKM Children’s Art Center.

HACİVAT-KARAGÖZ, NASREDDİN HOCA AND KELOĞLAN EVENTS

Areas such as Taksim Square, Galatasaray Square, Tünel Square and the area in front of the French Cultural Center will host both events related to our cultural heritage such as Hacivat-Karagöz, Nasreddin Hoca and Keloğlan, and performances covering world dances—from horon to halay, from salsa to flamenco. Taksim Square and Gezi Park in particular will be the address of many different events where children will enjoy the festival, from puppet shows to theaters, and from workshops to exhibitions.

STANLEY KUBRICK EXHIBITION

As part of the festival, the Istanbul Cinema Museum will host an exhibition on Stanley Kubrick, director of cult films. The exhibition will be the most comprehensive exhibition ever held to date about the cinematic genius Stanley Kubrick, who broke new ground in the history of cinema as the creator of masterpieces. Another ambitious exhibition of the festival will open at the Tophane-i Amire Single Dome. The exhibition, consisting of the manuscripts of literary figures including Behçet Necatigil, Oğuz Atay, Tomris Uyar and Orhan Pamuk, will be presented for the appreciation of art lovers.

MEHMET AKİF ERSOY TO BE COMMEMORATED

Throughout the festival, national poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy will be commemorated at the Mehmet Akif Ersoy Memorial House in the Mısır Apartment. Twenty-three talk events will be held for the national poet with the participation of many distinguished figures. At the Taksim Mosque Cultural Center, another important stop of the festival, valuable and enjoyable talks will be held throughout the festival. The Galata Mevlevihanesi, for its part, will give its visitors rich moments throughout the festival, from the Mevlevi Procession to the sema ceremony.

TURKISH MOTIFS ‘KAFTANS’ EXHIBITION TO BE HELD

Hakan Yılmaz’s “Kaftans” exhibition, to open at the Grand Pera Cercle D’Orient, will take viewers on a magical journey with kaftans featuring Turkish motifs. Grand Pera will also be a center of attraction for art lovers with fashion workshops and mask exhibitions. At the Beyoğlu Municipality İstiklal Art Gallery, the exhibition “Beyoğlu Through the Eyes of Foreign Travelers” will reveal the beauties of Beyoğlu from past to present. Salt Galata and Salt Beyoğlu will also share in the spirit of the festival with the “90s on Stage” exhibition, where the culture of the 90s will be remembered anew.