Selection of Events
As so many events will be happening in Istanbul throughout the year it is not possible for us to list all of them, but below is just a taste of some of the exhibitions and shows that will be happening throughout the year. Some of these are only on specific dates and you would need to tailor your holiday plans to suit.
MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS
Treasures of the Kremlin Palace in Topkapi Palace (February to May)
An exhibition that details the relationship, both political and cultural, that took place between Russia and the Ottoman Empire during the 16th and 17th centuries. The exhibition is in the Imperial Stables, and brings together works from the palaces of both the tsars and the sultans.
Additionally, this event whets the appetite for the Topkapi Palace, which warrants a separate visit in order to take in all the history and splendour of this magnificent building.
Assyrians in Istanbul (March to May)
The Archaeology Museum will host an exhibition that looks at the role which the Anatolian civilisations of old, played in forming European cultures. Covering 4,000 years of history these peoples used Istanbul’s geographic location as a bridge between Asia and Europe.
The museum has a unique collection of antiquities which makes it an important draw for tourists throughout the year.
From Byzantium to Istanbul (September to November)
This exhibition charts the history of the Byzantine Empire to modern day Istanbul using treasures from museums throughout Turkey and other parts of the world including the British and Vatican Museums, and the Louvre and the Hermitage.
The Sakip Sabanci Museum will host the exhibition, which is displayed in a villa in the landscaped grounds of the museum which are on the shores of the Bosporus.
99 Qur’ans (Korans) (September to mid November)
The Galata Dervish Lodge will host this small exhibition which displays works of calligraphy, which was famous during the Ottoman Empire. If you are inspired by this event then you might also want to visit the newly renovated Calligraphy Museum at the Beyazit mosque which was formerly a theological college.
Museum of Princes Island (July onwards)
This new museum which was formerly a primary school, will open on 25th July, and is located on Princes Island which is an hours’ ferry ride from the city centre. This archipelago is in the Sea of Marmara and offers a tranquil, traffic free wooded area which is popular for residents of Istanbul in the summer in order for them to escape from the constant buzz of the city.
During the reign of the Ottomans the island was neglected and became a haven for Istanbul’s Greek, Armenian and minority Turk communities.
Museum of Innocence
A modern media exhibition including film, photographs and other memorabilia that tracks daily life in Istanbul from the 1950’s to the present day. This show was inspired by a 2008 book of the same name written by Orhan Pamuk, who is a Turkish Nobel prize winning author.
MUSIC EVENTS
Music of Istanbul Architecture
This series of concerts will be held at a variety of venues throughout the city, some of which would not normally be opened to the public.
Music of Istanbul Architecture (April to December)
An event which will have performances in a number of different settings including the magnificent Dolmabache Palace which dates back to the 19th century, and is located on the shores of the Bosporus (6 April). Some of the other dates and locations are as follows:
Galata Dervish Lodge (7 May)
Aynalikavak Pavilion (2 June)
Church of St. Irene (12 June)
Yildiz Palace (19 June)
Topkapi Palace (21 September)
Kumkapi Armenian Church (7 December)
Adam’s Lament (June)
This specially commissioned work by the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt will have its world premier at the Istanbul International Music Festival when it is performed in the church of St. Irene (7 June).
Istanbul’s Languages/Istanbul Songs (June)
With a diverse range of communities based in Istanbul, it seems only naturally that there will be events to showcase the music and heritage of these cultures. As an example the Jewish community who traditionally spoke Ladino or Judeo-Spanish. One of the festival’s events centres on the Greek, Jewish and Armenian communities and will host a concert on each of the four main Princes’ Islands.
Featuring folk singers and native speakers will present music, dance and works of literature from their heritage.
Armenian (Kinaliada) (9 June)
Greek (Burgazda) (10 June)
Turkish (Heybeliada) (11 June)
Jewish (Büyükada) (12 June)
Balkanist – Istanbul 2010 Balkan Music Festival (April)
These concerts will be held throughout April and explores the city’s role in the neighbouring Balkan music traditions. Many Turks living in the country today have family ties with countries such as Romania, Bulgaria and Armenia … when these families moved to Turkey they brought their music and dance cultures with them and these are showcased in this series of concerts.
Music Stops (Various dates all year)
To celebrate World Music Day, the city will be hosting a wide range of events on 21st June, at outdoor stages throughout the city.
Included in this programme of events will be the largest stadium concert the city has ever seen when U2’s 360° Tour hits Istanbul (6 September).
Tales of Future (August)
This event sees a number of multimedia concerts throughout the month of August. The concept of this event is that the Bosporus is a musical instrument and interacts with traditional percussion instruments … played by robots!
PERFORMING ARTS
Istanbul International Ballet Competition (July)
Celebrating this classical form of dance is a gala week from 5th – 10th July which tops off this ballet extravaganza.
Barbarossa (July & September)
A new music and dance extravaganza which is based on the life of a 16th century Ottoman admiral named Barbarossa. Additionally, it explores the relationship that Istanbul has with the sea as well as man’s relationship with the sea (July 13 – 14 & September 26 – 27).
DANSLAB (Dance Lab) (Various dates throughout the year)
Throughout the year the city will be hosting a number of events which celebrate the diverse nature of Turkish dance. One highlight of the year long programme will be held in September – with the title of Dance Platform Istanbul – which will showcase everything from classical through to contemporary Turkish dance, covering jazz dance, the seductive tango and modern hip hop. As well as being able to watch performances of these dance styles there will also be master classes on offer and workshops.
Istanbul is having fun on the streets! (September)
This celebration of street theatre and circus will take place in a number of streets and squares along the shores of the Golden Horn, which is a natural harbour and inlet which is at the heart of the city as it is between both Asia and Europe.
PHOTOGRAPHY PARADE
Photography Parade (Various dates throughout the year)
The Fototrek Photography Centre will host a series of month long exhibitions of work by both local and foreign photographers whose works feature many facets of life in Istanbul.
Breaking the Stereotypes (May – June)
This is an exhibition that looks at how the West views the East, and vice versa. With photographic images, media and literary works … it gives the viewer an opportunity to challenge social stereotypes.
VISUAL ARTS
No element of the arts media is overlooked in Istanbul’s packed schedule of events in this most important year for the city.
LOCAL CRAFTS AND TRADITIONS
In order to enable visitors to Istanbul to get the most from this unique year in the city, a crafts map and guide will be available. This will cover about 500 crafts people working in tradition crafts such as wood carving, arts, literature and many more. This free guide will be available when you arrive in the city, and later in the year it will be available online at the official City of Culture website.
Introduction to Mevlevi Culture (Year round)
Every Sunday throughout the year, the Yenikapi Mevlevi Lodge will open its doors for those who want to learn more about the Sufi culture – more widely known as the Whirling Dervishes. This will include music excerpts, literature and re-enactments of the traditional sema ceremony.
Additionally each month the lodge will be performing classical and Sufi musical concerts.
Karagöz in Istanbul, Istanbul in Karagöz (June to November)
Shadow puppetry forms an important and unique part of Turkey’s theatrical history and this event, hosted at a number of venues in the city, gives performances of the art form. During July there will also be an exhibition of the tradition of shadow puppetry, and for a week in October sees the International Shadow Theatre Festival in Istanbul.
Imperial Performance (August – September)
This spectacular show is something not to be missed! It will be staged in Sultanahmet Square and will re-live festivities of the Ottoman age and includes horse races, martial arts, acrobats, riders and wrestlers … with magnificent fireworks to add to the splendour.
To get a quotation for an extended weekend break, or a longer stay, in Istanbul during this important cultural year, please telephone 0845 021 9669, or complete the online booking form. If you are interested in a particular type genre of the arts, please let us know when you are making your enquiry so that we can supply you with further details of relevant events.
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