Türkiye Culture Route Festival Launches in Ankara
Ankara recently inaugurated the fifth edition of the Türkiye Culture Route Festival, offering nine days filled with concerts, exhibitions, performances, workshops, and culinary events. Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy officially opened the festival on September 18 by visiting four key exhibitions at CSO Ada Ankara, including:
- “Ankara Resimleniyor”
- “Young Art: 7th Poster Design Competition”
- “The Meeting of Colors and Dialogue of Two Cultures”
- ASELSAN’s “A Vision for an Upcycled Future”
Cultural Exchange Highlighted
During the festival, the exhibition “The Meeting of Colors and Dialogue of Two Cultures” was uniquely co-launched with South Korean Ambassador Sukjong Boo, showcasing a blend of traditional Korean Minhwa and Turkish miniature art. Both art forms reflect resonant themes of color, storytelling, and composition.
Ersoy encouraged residents and visitors alike to engage in the festival’s offerings, which strive to enrich Ankara’s cultural landscape.
Artistic Interpretations of Ankara
The “Ankara Resimleniyor” project invites artists to explore the capital’s architectural heritage and urban life through personal artistic lenses. The festival aims to document and preserve Ankara’s identity for future generations.
The “Young Art” exhibition focuses on the theme “Capital Ankara,” emphasizing the city’s historical significance and its role as the 2026 Tourism Capital of the Turkic World.
Industrial Transformation and Sustainability
ASELSAN’s exhibition “A Vision for an Upcycled Future” highlights a creative transformation of discarded industrial materials into art. Five sculptures represent various animals, signaling that waste can be transformed into valuable artistic expression. These works, previously displayed in Eskişehir and Bursa, will continue their exhibition journey across Istanbul, İzmir, and Antalya.
A Festival of Diversity
Running from September 19 to 27 at 42 venues, the Ankara Culture Route Festival features a staggering 518 events encompassing various forms of art, including music, theater, dance, and gastronomy.
Notable performances include:
- Gökhan Türkmen
- Hakan Altun
- Ceza
- Ebru Yaşar
Additionally, international orchestras, such as the National Arab Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, will grace the festival with performances rooted in diverse cultural traditions.
Traditional Crafts and Culinary Heritage
The festival prominently showcases Ankara’s traditional crafts through the “Living Heritage Ankara Exhibition,” featuring artisans recognized for their contributions to intangible cultural heritage. Workshops on crafts like ebru and calligraphy will integrate hands-on learning with artistry.
Culinary experiences are front and center, with over 50 restaurants participating in the “Ankara Culinary Destinations” initiative. Chef-led workshops and tasting events will highlight Ankara’s rich gastronomy, melding tradition with contemporary flavors.
As the festival celebrates Ankara’s cultural vibrancy, it underscores the city’s significance in the broader context of Türkiye’s cultural heritage.
