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The Türkiye Cultural Route Festival, a flagship cultural initiative organized by the Culture and Tourism Ministry, opened this year’s Samsun leg with a vibrant ceremony at the Ataturk Cultural Center on Saturday.
The festival is part of a nationwide series designed to promote cultural heritage, arts, and tourism across Türkiye.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Nadir Alpaslan highlighted Samsun’s symbolic importance as the city where Türkiye’s War of Independence began.
He underlined that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan frequently emphasized the city's special place in both the nation’s collective memory and emotional landscape.
Alpaslan noted that under the leadership of Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the ministry is prioritizing efforts that enhance the city’s cultural value.
The event drew participation from prominent local figures, including Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Samsun lawmakers Cigdem Karaaslan and Ersan Aksu, Samsun Chief Public Prosecutor Mehmet Sabri Kilic, Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Nihat Soguk, Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Suleyman Demirtas, and AK Party Provincial Chair Mehmet Kose, alongside invited guests and art enthusiasts.
The deputy minister elaborated on the government's broader strategy to protect and promote Türkiye’s cultural assets, emphasizing the data-driven approach used in identifying and advancing Samsun’s unique strengths.
He pointed out the significance of the recently unveiled “Samsun Tourism Master Plan,” describing it as a crucial framework for addressing the city's development needs while maximizing its potential.
Alpaslan also discussed the foundational philosophy behind the Cultural Route Festivals, explaining that the initiative reflects the ministry’s renewed vision of a tourism model deeply integrated with culture and the arts.
Following the ceremony, attendees toured the “Miniatures of Samsun and Anatolian Tale Route” exhibition at the Ataturk Cultural Center, which combines visual storytelling with historical themes.
The event continued at the Panorama Samsun Digital Exhibition Center, where traditional crafts were presented through interactive digital installations under the theme “Living Heritage.”
Features included displays on traditional Bafra baskets, ancient soil traditions, and master artisans from across Türkiye.
Additional highlights included a painting exhibition inspired by the works of Turkish author Iskender Pala and screenings of the documentary “Masters of Türkiye.”
The opening program concluded with a visit to the Samsun Museum, showcasing a series of thought-provoking exhibits such as “The Journey of Scents from Antiquity to the Present,” “Being a Child in Every Era,” “Interpreting the Signs of the Universe Through Art,” and “Traces of Time in Ataturk’s Words.”
These events form part of the more than 400 planned activities, ranging from theater to gastronomy, demonstrating the festival’s commitment to bringing cultural experiences to people of all backgrounds and ages.
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