Istanbul Culture Route Festival kicks off with tourism minister, global artists in attendance

The 13th stop of Türkiye’s Cultural Route Festivals, the Istanbul Culture Route Festival, opened with a grand gala at Ataturk Cultural Center (AKM), hosting notable figures from the worlds of art and politics.

Speaking at the event, Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy highlighted the importance of integrating culture, art, and tourism, emphasizing that these elements work together in a mutually supportive ecosystem.

“From the very first day of our tenure, our primary goal has been to transform the full potential of our country in the field of culture and tourism into sustainable products and services for our people. We never considered culture and art as separate entities from tourism. Instead, we saw them as intertwined components that continuously complement each other,” said Ersoy.

Ersoy underlined that the Türkiye Culture Route Festival is a key initiative that reflects this vision, combining culture, art, and tourism under one roof.

“Our festival is a monumental step toward making culture and art an integral part of life, particularly for our children, and introducing them to these experiences at an early age,” he added.

The festival presents a platform where Türkiye’s cultural heritage and modern creations are exhibited to both national and international audiences.

“This stage features everything from Gobeklitepe to Ataturk Cultural Center, from our folk and classical music to gastronomy, digital arts, and traditional crafts. If we want to promote our tourism diversity and showcase the rich variety of our cities, the Türkiye Culture Route Festival is the ideal platform,” Ersoy explained.

He also announced plans for the Türkiye Culture Route Festival to expand to 20 cities in 2025, including Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, and Kayseri. The festival has already boosted both commercial and social activity in the cities where it has been held, and Ersoy expressed confidence that this would continue in the new locations.

International influence of cultural festivals

European Festivals Association (EFA) President Jan Briers, a guest at the gala, highlighted the role of EFA in fostering international cooperation through festivals.

Since its establishment in 1952, EFA has served as a bridge between cultures and ideas, promoting solidarity and peace.

Briers also emphasized the significance of Turkish festivals, such as the International Ankara Music Festival and the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival, in enriching the EFA network and fostering intercultural dialogue.

Briers praised EFA’s initiatives like the European Festivals Fund for Emerging Artists (EFFEA), which supports many Turkish artists.

He also mentioned the Flying Carpet Festival, a unique project aimed at empowering children affected by conflict at the Türkiye-Syria border through art and community.

World-famous artists participate in Istanbul Culture Route Festival

Among the notable artists participating in the festival is renowned Brazilian photographer Sebastiao Salgado, who expressed his delight at returning to Istanbul after many years.

Salgado’s “Genesis” exhibition, which highlights the beauty and fragility of the planet, is featured at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University’s Tophane-i Amire Culture and Arts Center.

Another highlight of the festival is the participation of Turkish media artist Refik Anadol, whose works explore the intersection of data and artificial intelligence. Anadol, who has made a global impact with his digital art, expressed his honor in showcasing his works in his home country.

“It’s a great honor for me and my team to present our work in Türkiye, in a world where everything is being redefined through artificial intelligence and data,” Anadol said.

Minister Ersoy explores the festival exhibitions

After attending the gala, Minister Ersoy toured several major exhibitions featured in the festival.

Among these were the “Leonardo Da Vinci – Renaissance Genius” exhibition at the Lale Museum, which showcases over 230 pieces, including models of more than 100 of Da Vinci’s inventions. This exhibition will be open until January 15, 2025.

At Grand Pera, Ersoy explored the “Frida Kahlo’s Diaries” exhibition, an immersive display inspired by the Mexican artist’s personal diaries, offering a glimpse into her thoughts and inspirations.

The festival also paid tribute to a Turkish cinema icon with the “Mr. Cinema – Turker Inanoglu” exhibition at the Istanbul Cinema Museum, where the minister was accompanied by Turker Inanoglu’s son, Ilker Inanoglu and Nurcan Kuran, who worked closely with the late director and producer.

The Istanbul Culture Route Festival will continue until Oct. 6, hosting more than 500 events at over 110 locations across the city, bringing together a wide variety of artistic performances, exhibitions, workshops and activities aimed at engaging audiences of all ages.