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The Bursa Culture Route Festival, the eighth stop of Türkiye’s nationwide Culture Route Festival series, has officially commenced, bringing together cultural, artistic and gastronomic activities across the city from June 27 to July 5, 2026.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Gokhan Yazgi stated that the Culture Route Festival, which began in 2021 with a single city, has now evolved into a major cultural movement reaching seven regions and 26 cities across Türkiye.
He emphasized that the ministry aims to make culture and the arts accessible to all segments of society, increase the visibility of cities’ cultural heritage and transform urban centers into strong cultural brands.
Yazgi noted that this year’s eighth stop is Bursa, a city distinguished by its rich historical and cultural heritage. He also highlighted the significance of 2026 marking the 700th anniversary of Bursa’s conquest, stating:
“We are collectively witnessing the pride of a blessed seed planted centuries ago, now transformed into a great plane tree whose roots extend into history and branches reach into the future.”
A key feature of this year’s edition is the introduction of a curated gastronomy route consisting of 50 designated “Flavor Stops.” The initiative showcases Bursa’s traditional cuisine, which reflects influences from Ottoman palace gastronomy, Balkan culinary heritage and local agricultural production.
Visitors are presented with a selection of regional dishes, including Iskender kebab, Inegol meatballs, pideli kofte, tahini-based pastries, milk halva and chestnut desserts.
The festival’s main stage, located in the FSM Hospital Area, is hosting nightly concerts featuring artists from various genres, including pop, rap and Turkish classical music. The performances form a central component of the festival’s cultural program.
In addition to music events, theatrical productions and live performances are scheduled throughout the city, contributing to a diversified cultural offering.
As part of the festival, several exhibitions are open to art lovers, including the “Living Heritage Bursa Exhibition,” “Albayrak Calligraphy Exhibition,” and ASELSAN’s “Vision of a Transforming Future” exhibition.
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