Istanbul Culture Road Festival Opens with 400+ Events

The sixth Istanbul Culture Road Festival opened on September 24 under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy inaugurated the event, which runs for nine days across 23 venues and more than 50 locations.

The program includes over 400 events: 40 concerts, 15 exhibitions, modern dance, musicals, theater, and workshops for children and adults. Headliners include Özcan Deniz, Oğuzhan Koç, Murat Boz, Kıraç, Simge, Poizi, Bengü, Ceza, and Bayhan.

“We are handing the stage to our living human treasures, the intangible cultural heritage bearers.”

International highlights feature the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Arab Orchestra, and the Stanislavski and Nemirovich-Danchenko Ballet Theatre performing in Turkey for the first time. Pianist Büşra Kayıkçı presents 'Beyond Walls,' and a Yann Arthus-Bertrand photography exhibition is also scheduled.

Gastronomy plays a major role with over 200 food venues and five dedicated culinary routes showcasing Istanbul's culinary heritage. Ersoy described the festival as the world's largest by duration, scope, variety, and visitor numbers.

Three special exhibitions opened at the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) to mark the festival's launch.